This summer, the beloved characters from DreamWorks’ “Madagascar” leap from screen to stage in “Madagascar – A Musical Adventure,” opening June 20 at Stages Theatre Company.
The 60-minute production blends music, movement and puppetry into a lively experience designed for young audiences and packed with heart. Performances run through Aug. 3.
At just 13 years old, Takelle Lee takes on the lead role of Alex the Lion, a challenge he embraces with enthusiasm and a sense of purpose.
“Alex is kind of a leader,” Lee said. “And I feel like we have the connection of being a leader of our friends and the leader of making good choices and sometimes, you know, messing up and stuff.”
Lee sees himself in Alex, particularly when it comes to friendships.
“In school, there’s a lot of times where we just grow out of each other,” he said. “Alex and Marty, they kind of come away from each other, but then [always go back]. And that’s kind of how my friendships are, where we would stop being friends and then we would come back together.”
A seasoned performer, Lee began singing at age 8 and gave his first stage performance at 11. He credits the “Madagascar” cast and crew with helping him build confidence.
“Everybody around me was just so helpful and so supportive, so I got it pretty fast,” he said of learning choreography. “And everybody’s voice? I love it. Everybody’s voice is just so good and so well balanced.”
His favorite scene is the jazzy, comical number “Steak,” which captures Alex’s larger-than-life energy and appetite in full musical flair.
At the helm of the production is longtime Artistic Director Sandy Boren-Barrett, who has led the company since 1990. With more than 75 productions to her name, including many world premieres, Boren-Barrett is known for her commitment to youth-centered storytelling and increasing representation on stage.
Under her leadership, Stages Theatre has earned national accolades, including the 2017 Harold Oaks Award for Innovation in Theatre for Young Audiences and the 2018 50/50 Applause Award for promoting gender equity among playwrights. The 2019–2020 season was highlighted by “TYA Today Magazine” for expanding representation, particularly in productions centering youth of color.
Boren-Barrett also directed the company’s highest-attended show to date: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical,” a local holiday tradition.
“Madagascar – A Musical Adventure” is choreographed in partnership with Threads Dance Project, a Twin Cities-based company founded by Karen L. Charles in 2011. Born from personal loss, Threads has created more than 30 original works and reached over 2,000 students through educational programming.
Known for its Tapestries Program, which supports emerging choreographers, Threads also hosts community workshops and open rehearsals at Threads Dance Nexus in Minneapolis. The company’s fusion of classical and contemporary movement, along with its community-rooted mission, made it a natural fit for “Madagascar.”
Marketing Manager Laura Kastenbauer emphasized the inclusive environment Stages Theatre aims to create.
“One of the things that I really love about Stages is that it gives an opportunity for people who might not feel comfortable in different theaters to be able to experience theater in whatever way they wish,” she said. “There’s so many different projects, different ways that you can be involved. It’s amazing.”
Kastenbauer encouraged early ticket purchases, especially for matinee performances. “A lot of the matinees are almost down to the single digits in ticket availability,” she said.
Beyond its visual spectacle and musical energy, “Madagascar – A Musical Adventure” is a story about friendship, freedom and rediscovery, messages that resonate deeply with youth audiences and the young performers who bring them to life.
“It’s about freedom and friendship,” Lee said. “That’s something that really mirrors a lot of what happens in school and in life.”
Whether it’s the humor of “Steak” or the story’s journey toward belonging, the production invites audiences of all ages to laugh, dance, and celebrate together.
Tickets range from $16 to $18, with group discounts available. ASL-interpreted and audio-described performances are scheduled for July 11 as part of the theater’s ongoing accessibility initiatives. Tickets are available at stagestheatre.org.
