Emojiland: The Musical
SecondStory Repertory Theatre
Through July 19, 2026
Every great theater town needs a pipeline of performers, up-and-comers who need experience to polish up their talents. For musical theater, a particularly challenging pathway demanding triple threats – dancer/singer/actors – this is the most true.
Some might remember CLO – Civic Light Opera, that morphed into Seattle Musical Theatre before fading. Fortunately, we currently have both SecondStory Repertory and Reboot Theatre Company (at least) to help with casting new talents in their musicals.
Emojiland: The Musical, directed by Scot Charles Anderson, is overflowing with wonderful newish-to-us cast members, with powerful pipes and boiling over with enthusiastic talent. Emojiland gives some top-notch solos out like candy in this show. Some of the 13-member (!) cast that impresses include Emily Courcy (Construction Worker), Victoria Cooper (Princess), Mae Lederman (Smize), Evan Ponyah (Sunny), and Rebekah Nachman (Police Officer). Special shout out to Teddy Meyer (Skull) who is ripe for casting in The Rocky Horror Show, immediately!
You might notice the character names. This is a musical about the lives of EMOJIS. That immediately summons the thought that it’s probably silly, and hopefully fun, with some definite laughs. You’d be right. This musical is sort of like cotton candy: light and fluffy with a strained plotline about walls keeping us safe, but really threatening society, and straining a lesbian love-story. You’d think that a funny musical has to have a plot! 😊😊😊
Emojiland is an emoji society that exists inside a phone. Actors have to create the inner lives of scribbles turned into expressive symbols. And no emoji production can escape the presence of Poo (Stacie Hart, who co-authored the fun musical Come On, Get Tappy – which has a somewhat stronger plotline). Her song chorus goes, in part: “Poo poo poo poo poo poo poo poo.”
Secondstory Rep’s production has the usually strong sets, lights, and sound design by the multi-talented Mark Chenovick (also king of all SecondStory efforts). Gabe Mangiante, music director, leads a very solid 4-piece band.
A couple of quibbles are the sort of overwhelming and constantly moving projections and anyone triggered by constant visual movement could be bothered. Also, Amy Hockman’s costumes are cute enough generally, but this musical calls out for way more extreme costume choices that could enhance the fun. The musical could easily be shortened from its two-plus hours, as many could be.
The other cast members include Jeronimo Thomas (Prince), Elliott Lovett (Nerd Face), David Breyman (MIBSL +), Kristin Hoekema (Thinking Face +), Stefanie MeiFang Van Rafelghem (Info Desk Person +), and Rayan Atallah (Guard).
Only two more performances left: Saturday night and Sunday 2:00pm matinee. The kids will probably love it!
For more articles and reviews, go to www.facebook.com/SeattleTheaterWriters. Subscribe to your inbox at https://MiryamsTheaterMusings.blogspot.com
SecondStory Repertory Theatre
Through July 19, 2026
Every great theater town needs a pipeline of performers, up-and-comers who need experience to polish up their talents. For musical theater, a particularly challenging pathway demanding triple threats – dancer/singer/actors – this is the most true.
Some might remember CLO – Civic Light Opera, that morphed into Seattle Musical Theatre before fading. Fortunately, we currently have both SecondStory Repertory and Reboot Theatre Company (at least) to help with casting new talents in their musicals.
Emojiland: The Musical, directed by Scot Charles Anderson, is overflowing with wonderful newish-to-us cast members, with powerful pipes and boiling over with enthusiastic talent. Emojiland gives some top-notch solos out like candy in this show. Some of the 13-member (!) cast that impresses include Emily Courcy (Construction Worker), Victoria Cooper (Princess), Mae Lederman (Smize), Evan Ponyah (Sunny), and Rebekah Nachman (Police Officer). Special shout out to Teddy Meyer (Skull) who is ripe for casting in The Rocky Horror Show, immediately!
You might notice the character names. This is a musical about the lives of EMOJIS. That immediately summons the thought that it’s probably silly, and hopefully fun, with some definite laughs. You’d be right. This musical is sort of like cotton candy: light and fluffy with a strained plotline about walls keeping us safe, but really threatening society, and straining a lesbian love-story. You’d think that a funny musical has to have a plot! 😊😊😊
Emojiland is an emoji society that exists inside a phone. Actors have to create the inner lives of scribbles turned into expressive symbols. And no emoji production can escape the presence of Poo (Stacie Hart, who co-authored the fun musical Come On, Get Tappy – which has a somewhat stronger plotline). Her song chorus goes, in part: “Poo poo poo poo poo poo poo poo.”
Secondstory Rep’s production has the usually strong sets, lights, and sound design by the multi-talented Mark Chenovick (also king of all SecondStory efforts). Gabe Mangiante, music director, leads a very solid 4-piece band.
A couple of quibbles are the sort of overwhelming and constantly moving projections and anyone triggered by constant visual movement could be bothered. Also, Amy Hockman’s costumes are cute enough generally, but this musical calls out for way more extreme costume choices that could enhance the fun. The musical could easily be shortened from its two-plus hours, as many could be.
The other cast members include Jeronimo Thomas (Prince), Elliott Lovett (Nerd Face), David Breyman (MIBSL +), Kristin Hoekema (Thinking Face +), Stefanie MeiFang Van Rafelghem (Info Desk Person +), and Rayan Atallah (Guard).
Only two more performances left: Saturday night and Sunday 2:00pm matinee. The kids will probably love it!
For more articles and reviews, go to www.facebook.com/SeattleTheaterWriters. Subscribe to your inbox at https://MiryamsTheaterMusings.blogspot.com
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