Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: The Musical

The Alphabet Book, With Puppets and Dancing

If there's a worn-out copy of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom somewhere in your house, this one's for you. Imagination Stage in Bethesda turned the alphabet book into a one-hour musical with puppets, dancing and plenty of audience participation, and it's playing through October 18. It was written and directed by Nina Meehan and first developed at Seattle Children's Theatre.

It's best for ages 3 to 9, and an hour is about right for that crowd. Tickets start at $16, but Imagination Stage uses dynamic pricing, so the busier performances cost more. Book early for the better price, and check the showtimes on their ticket page before you plan the day.

Read the lap pass rules before you buy, because they trip people up. In this theater, babies under 1 sit on a lap with a free lap pass, kids 1 and 2 need a $5 lap pass, and anyone 3 and up needs a full ticket. Lap passes aren't sold online, so call or stop by the box office. Tickets are held at the box office for pickup on show day. The theater also has a quiet room, headphones and a sensory guide for this show, which helps if your kid gets overwhelmed by loud music.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Sort out lap passes first. They're box office only, by phone or in person.
• ✓Look at the sensory guide. Imagination Stage posts one for this show. Worth it if loud music bothers your kid.
• ✓Read the book the night before. Kids who know the story get more out of it.
• ✓Leave time for pickup. Tickets wait at the box office, so come a few minutes early.
• ✓Take the Red Line. Bethesda Metro is close, and you skip the garage.