ENTERTAINMENT

Male penguins raise hatchling in 'Tango' at Growing Stage

BILL NUTT
CORRESPONDENT

Roy and Silo were two chinstrap penguins at the Central Park Zoo. In 1998, they formed a bond and together hatched an unclaimed egg. No big deal, right?

Actually, it was a big deal, because Roy and Silo were both males.

The real-life story of this unconventional penguin family was covered in numerous stories in various media and also became a children's picture book. Now the tale has become a play.

"And Then Came Tango" by first-time playwright Emily Freeman is receiving its professional premiere at The Growing Stage – The Children's Theatre of New Jersey. The play runs through March 29.

The nonmusical production is directed by company founder Stephen L. Fredericks. The penguin's movements and other dances were designed by choreographer Jillian Petrie. Paul Marbach composed the original music.

Freeman learned of Roy and Silo from "And Tango Makes Three," a picture book written by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson and illustrated by Henry Cole. But she took the story in her own direction.

"This is an original version of the story," she says. "I wanted to show Roy and Silo and their desire to have a family."

In Freeman's vision, the penguins should be played by live performers. "I've heard people talk about doing it with puppets," she says. "But I think it's important for you have actors portraying the animals."

But the play is more than just the story of two males raising a hatchling, according to Freeman. She tries to explore a larger question: What makes up a family?

"We see families represented in different ways in this play," says Freeman. "I want the audience to realize that a family is not just a mommy, a daddy, and children. A family isn't as concretely defined as it sometimes is in children's plays or books."

For that reason, Freeman feels that the key character is Lily, a 10-year-old girl who becomes the penguins' biggest advocate. Lily (played by Savannah McLaughlin of Flanders) is being raised by a single parent, her mother (Melissa Cox of Summit).

In her loving concern for Roy and Silo, Lily and the penguins represent what Freeman calls "a platonic family."

Lily's presence also points to another theme that Freeman wanted to explore in her play. "Young people have a voice and should be respected," she says. "They deserve to have their opinions heard."

Though "And Then Came Tango" is based on actual events, Freeman emphasizes that her story is fictional. "In real life, the penguins tried to incubate a rock the size of an egg," she says. "The zookeeper then gave them an orphaned egg to hatch."

"In my story, Lily is the one who encourages Walter the zookeeper," Freeman continues. "Lily is the impetus for the action." (John Patrick Cleary of High Bridge plays Walter at The Growing Stage.)

Freeman wrote the play while she was a graduate student at the University of Texas in Austin. Her background is in dance. Now a resident of Orlando, she works with various community groups to devise theatrical programs.

"And Then Came Tango" is her first scripted work. The play underwent several revisions before she submitted it to The Growing Stage's play reading program in 2014. The work was then selected for a full production by the company.

The play has since had other readings, and a handful of universities have mounted productions of the work. "But The Growing Stage is the first professional company to stage it, and that's why I consider this the world premiere," Freeman says.

Freeman plans to attend the opening weekend performances and to participate in at least one talk-back session with the audience.

"I've very grateful that The Growing Stage chose to do my play," she says. "The play-reading series is a great way to foster new work, especially for a new playwright. It's very encouraging."

AND THEN CAME TANGO

WHEN: Through March 29, 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays

WHERE: The Growing Stage – The Children's Theatre of New Jersey, Route 183,

7 Ledgewood Ave., Netcong

TICKETS: $15 on Fridays for all, $20 Saturdays and Sundays, $15 for students and seniors

INFO: 973-347-4946 and www.growingstage.com