Sybil dreaming about a better life.

With its catchy songs, quirky costumes, and timely concerns, The Perfect Monster is a great bet for elementary schoolers. They'll definitely relate to the characters and their quandaries, plus the all-kid cast means they get to watch their peers in action. While the morals of the story may be obvious to parents—no one is perfect, and even faulty friends are worthy of your love—they're delivered through relatable interactions as Sybil is dissed and dismissed by the cool kids, then goes home and does the same thing to the monsters that adore her. Ah, the irony!

Admittedly, the book has confusing bits: There's a murky sequence when all the main characters get lost in a forest, and the monsters inexplicably react to things going on at school even though they're back at Sybil's home. But these are minor quibbles. The songs by Deirdre Broderick are wonderful and feature some really clever lyrics with multiple meanings, especially "Make Someone Like Me," which Sybil croons to her "perfect" creation. And the talented performers, all members of TADA!'s Resident Youth Ensemble, are energetic and entertaining without being cloying. But the spotlight belongs to Asa Thornton's whimsical and hilarious costumes. The exceptional designs for the monsters convey so much of their kooky personalities that everyone in the large ensemble stands out, even without solos. That said, Trio (Mira Meola, Olivia Chew, and Anya Eder), the three-headed lab assistant, and Teeny Tic (Ysobel Leonard), an adorable clock, are especially fun.

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Sybil's monster pals hanging in her laboratory.

Although there's nothing inappropriate in The Perfect Monster and it only runs an hour, it's still best for school-age children due to the sophisticated subject matter and lack of audience participation. I'd say the sweet spot is 6 to 10 as those kids are old enough to understand social anxiety and how quickly you can get pigeonholed as the nerd, the jock, or the pretty girl. The show doesn't have an entirely happy ending, either. A few of the characters fail to see the error of their ways and continue to act like jerks. But that just adds to the production's authenticity. After all, life isn't perfect or easy—even for kids.

A few tips: For smaller viewers, be sure to ask for front-row bench seating, which provides an unobstructed view. Also, bring a few bucks to buy one of the adorable plush mini monsters on sale at the concession stand—all proceeds go to TADA!'s myriad programs.

The Perfect Monster runs at TADA! Youth Theater at 15 West 28th Street through Monday, February 19. Tickets are $15 for children, $25 for adults.

Photos by Anton Volovsek courtesy the production unless otherwise noted.