The entire cast utilized incredible vocal range and technique to embody their characters. A special nod to Jacob Yeh who was my personal favorite and always made me smile.

Maryland Theatre Guide

Orbiting around Dredgie is a talented ensemble of performers who are equally skilled as both puppeteers and actors – Suzy Alden, Linda Bard, Natalie Cutcher, Ezinne Elele, Lee Gerstenhaber, and Jacob Yeh, and they bring a wonderful universe of characters to life. Each ensemble member has memorable moments in the spotlight, including singing sirens (Alden, Bard, and Elele), Neptune and Salacia (Yeh and Alden, in a hilarious, pun-filled and campy turn)…

In addition to their human (and human-like) characters, the actors also bring a stunning array of puppets to life – sand worms, turtles, octopi, sea serpents, and electric eels, to name just a few. At times there are so many puppets on stage that it’s hard to imagine how such a small cast can manage them all. There are also moments when one can see the puppeteers working the puppets – but rather than distract from the action, it actually increases one’s appreciation of the skills at work. Each puppet in the show is a beautiful example of the art of puppet-making, and the cast does a fantastic job of creating fully formed characters with them.

Broadway World

Front and center, bow and meridian, though are the puppets! The vast scope of puppetry in this show is stunning! There are hand puppets, rod puppets, 15-foot-tall balloon puppets that put their head in Dredgie’s lap, crankies, black light puppets, a hand-cranked, life-size mermaid tail (attached to a life-size and cranky mermaid), a puppet puppeting other puppets, smoke, and I’m sure there were more that I didn’t even realize. Staying for a Q&A after the show, I found out the cast are also doubling as the puppeteers and are having a great time being put through their puppeteer paces.

Be sure not to miss this treasure chest of a show…

DC Theater Arts