Sparky
A vibrant girl.
A gentle sloth.
A singular friendship.
Libby desperately wants a pet, but her mother says she can only have one that doesn’t need to be walked, bathed, or fed. So she orders a sloth and names him Sparky. It’s love at first sight… even if Sparky doesn’t know how to fetch and always loses at Hide-and-Seek (though he’s very good at playing Statue). But after know-it-all Mary Potts mocks Sparky as lazy and unimpressive, Libby throws a backyard talent show to highlight the talents of her misunderstood companion. Roll up for the first-ever “Trained Sloth Extravaganza!” and learn about accepting your friends for who they are, in this world premiere musical based on the delightful 2014 book by Jenny Offill, illustrated by Chris Appelhans.
Script by Jessica Wright Buha
Music & Lyrics by Laura McKenzie
Based on the book by Jenny Offill, illustrated by Chris Appelhans
Genre: kids, family
Length: one act, 60 minutes
Cast: 5 actors
Set: flexible
MOM (looking over Libby's shoulder): I didn't know Sparky's a guard sloth.
LIBBY: Oh, he one hundred percent is. (Libby reveals her drawing) “GUARD SLOTH! ENTER AT YOUR OWN PERIL! Sparky may SEEM gentle, but he's got the heart of a tiger, RARRRRRRW, and is ready to leap into action at the first sign of danger.
MOM: I think he has the heart of a sloth.
LIBBY: Rarrrrrrw. I gave him big fangs.
PRESS
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“A charming musical adaptation of Jenny Offill’s children’s book about a lovable pet sloth…. [with] a great lesson, and not overplayed in this tight production.”
Suzanne Scanlon, Chicago Reader
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“[Sparky!] teaches children and young adults about the importance of inquisitiveness, reading, responsibility, initiative, and many other positive attributes as the story unfolds. It is suitable for 3–8-year-olds but even the parents and guardians who attended were all left in stitches at the antics of the sloth as it lumbered around the stage as slowly as any sloth would be known to do.”
Tonderai Chiyindiko, The African Theatre Magazine
Productions
Premiered February 2016, Lifeline Theatre, Chicago, IL
National tour:
National Children’s Theatre (2017)
Produced by:
National Children’s Theatre, Johannesburg, South Africa (2021)
NCT Production photos by Rebecca Hearfield
Lifeline production photos by Jackie Jasperson