Take the bus to the Denver Center’s Randy Weeks Conservatory Theatre for a musical the entire family will enjoy.

Walk into the Randy Weeks Conservatory Theatre at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts Education & Community Engagement and discover the storybook layout by Scenic Designer Lisa M. Orzolek. Denver’s City Park comes to life in a children’s book format. Orzolek copies the style directly from Mo Willems’ art in the original picture book. The ushers work diligently to keep very young audience members off the stage and help others find a seat in the packed house.

Directed by Allison Watrous, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is based on Willems’ book of the same name. The script, written by Willems and Mr. Warburton, with music by Deborah Wicks La Puma and lyrics by Willems, turns a three-minute read into a 55-minute musical treat. Choreographer Diana Dresser uses simple, clean and charming dance to bring the characters to life in a playful yet sophisticated way.

Created by Puppet Designer Chris Campbell and Puppetry Specialist Aretta Baumgartner, the puppets seem to move and breathe in a way that entrances the children and adults alike. During the “Bus Driving Bus Driver” song, even the actors without puppets captivate every face in the room.

The entire cast is an absolute delight, including the Businessman (Randy Chalmers), who brings a modern feel to the show with his hashtag and dot-com speech. The Businessman is vastly distinct from Chalmers’ other character, the Hot Dog Vendor, whom we meet early on. Alex Campbell’s Bus Driver is full of energy and wonder, and she drives the audience and Denver’s Regional Transportation District along for the ride. Although it is neither credited nor officially named, RTD becomes one of the stars of the show.

Photo: Jamie Kraus Photography

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A familiar story with new lessons

On the night reviewed, swing actor Brian Watson played Pigeon. Pigeon is a character the children in the audience already know from the book and love so much that, even though he complains through most of the show, they always cheer him on. This production gives him a deeper character arc than the short book allows. Pigeon has the chance to learn and grow with old and new friends as a transfixed room of fans focuses on every word. Watson’s performance and mastery of the Pigeon puppet allow him to disappear and effectively become Pigeon.

What begins as a story meant to help young readers understand the importance of saying “no,” standing up for rules and doing what is right becomes a musical adventure with lessons in self-esteem, self-discovery and self-purpose. The Bus Driver and Pigeon call it a hot dog for your heart — your heart dog. Near the end, Pigeon says, “I’m trying,” and the Bus Driver replies, “No, you’re succeeding.” This message is vitally important, and every child needs to hear it.

The show is not just for children. Adults enjoy it, too, and not only because of the lovable puppets and the high-energy cast. With words such as “superfluous” dropped in among phrases like “carbulator fibulator thingamagig-mathing,” the show appeals to all ages. Music Director Jordan Ortman guides the cast through a series of enjoyable and even compelling musical numbers. The songs are enchanting and memorable. “What Could Have Been” is a power ballad for Pigeon that allows Watson to shine. “Panic at the Bus Stop” gives several cast members a moment center stage to show their stuff, while Matt Zambrano passes back and forth as Duckling, who gets to enjoy all the treats denied to Pigeon.

Alex Campbell plays the bus driver. | Photo: Jamie Kraus Photography

No featherweights here

The smoke effects from the bus are exciting, especially for the children sitting right next to the stage. The color-changing clouds and orb-shaped park lights from Lighting Designer Charles R. MacLeod make a merry addition to the design, providing whimsical accompaniment to several songs and to Pigeon’s tantrums.

The puppets are nearly too adorable to handle. Just as we must not let Pigeon drive the bus, audience members must not run onto the stage to hug the puppets. As Pigeon gets closer to his goal, the audience — so enamored with the original book and deeply engrossed in the musical — experiences a unique moment of mirth. One tiny voice shouts from somewhere in the center of the house, “No! Don’t let the Pigeon drive the bus!” Everyone giggles. Then the other children in the audience join in, yelling, “No, Pigeon, no!”

Be sure to visit the three bus-stop rooms on the way out to make bracelets, create paper hand puppets of Pigeon and color special pages and puzzles featuring tips from RTD. Denver Center staff members and volunteers guide guests through activities themed around Pigeon and his friends. This is a show for the entire family, and everyone wants to come along. Because even if he is not supposed to drive the bus, this Pigeon is no featherweight.