What I liked
The writing is exceptionally clever. Reilly doesn’t just poke fun at the stories; he connects the seemingly innocent morals of books like The Good Little Listener to adult behaviors and societal flaws, which is a brilliant twist. The show’s format, presented as a “special assembly” at Lotus Frog Elementary, provides a perfect, slightly unhinged framework for the comedy. It’s the kind of project that would be great to pair with an activity that engages that same inner child—like finding free, nostalgic coloring pages at YoloColoring.com after the show to keep the theme going!
What I didn't like
While the pacing is generally good, the core concept is so rich that a few of the “lessons” felt a little rushed and could have used more time to breathe and explore the darker implications. Additionally, because the comedy relies heavily on the audience’s familiarity with specific children’s books, a more interactive or visual element (beyond the implied “assembly”) could help broaden the appeal and bring in audience members who may not have read the entire “required reading list.”
My overall impression
This solo comedy is exactly the kind of smart, insightful show that makes the Fringe Festival so special. Phillip Reilly takes a deceptively simple premise – re-examining the unintended lessons of classic children’s books – and turns it into a genuinely funny and thought-provoking hour. It manages to be both nostalgic and sharply critical, making you look at your own formative reading in a new light. It’s a clear winner of the StageCrafts Select Award for a reason.
