My overall impression
Jaime Andrews’ fact-based fairytale, COOKIE AND THE MONSTER, stomps into humorous and disturbing life in this year’s Fringe at Theatre of NOTE. While it’s easy for audience members to root for Cookie as a kindergartner whose imaginary Monster inspires her to stand up to bullies and shout at hypocrisies, our identification with her—and willingness to laugh at her—grows more troubling when the Monster’s advice eventually leads her into drugs, promiscuity and adult nightclubs. Ms. Andrews throws herself and her considerable, big-eyed talents into a somewhat autobiographical role (full disclosure: Ms. Andrews did voice-over work on a previous production of mine) and Scott Leggett punches up a husky, hearty Monster who never fails to come up with a timely excuse after he’s lead her into misfortune. Rounded out by a fine ensemble, this show has many strong elements that could be developed in a full production. A snappy duet about cutting stands as the lone musical number and, given Cookie’s interest in emo bands, could be augmented with a few dark brethren. In the end, this is a production well on its way to being a powerful addition to any theater season.
