Review: "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten" is a Funny, Touching Show

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Runs June 5 - 28

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Kechi Playhouse opened its 44th year with All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten adapted by Ernest Zulia from the book by Robert Fulghum with music by David Caldwell . Misty Maynard has assembled an excellent cast that works together seamlessly.

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Fulghum’s book emphasizes the fundamental lessons of kindness, sharing, and responsibility that are often overlooked in adulthood. The book has sold over 7 million copies and has become a cultural touchstone, inspiring various adaptations, including this play and a musical.

The acting ensemble features actors of various ages each taking the lead in the various vignettes. The first act opens with “Yes, Of Course I Can” the play illustrates how as kindergarteners we are open and free willing to take on the various tasks presented to us and how as older students we become closed off and unsure of our abilities. The cast does an exceptional job embodying both ages. We next see how a teacher handles the casting of a grade school version of Cinderella by allowing the class to write and cast the parts. There are the usual characters you would expect, but one young man wants to play Cinderella’s pig. Yes, pig. The standout role was, of course, the pig who steals the show and creates a phenomenon causing the play to travel to various audiences. Em Kerbs is delightful as the pig. An older woman (Laurie Mulford) reflects on the game of hide and seek as she watches the neighborhood children and encourages us not to penalize the child who is so good at hiding causing angst amongst the others. One of the stories is based on a true event of the man who decided to attach weather balloons to his lawn chair that went awry when he flew into the air traffic patterns. As told by three reporters ( Tyrone Jackson , Laurie Mulford and Anna Proctor), we see the folly of the real life man played delightfully by Mike Shryock. There are scenes concerning Beethoven, a woman’s encounter with a spider which also includes how the spider responds, and the yucky stuff in the sink drain. Standouts in the first act include Howard Keim’s heartfelt performance in Donny the Leaf Raker; Shryock, Jackson and Keim in Problems and Inconveniences, and Ariana Moore’s recitation of The Bench . Moore and Jackson end the first act with the beautiful song, Reflect the Light.

The second act opening features the entire cast in Uh OH. One of highlights of the play is MOTB (Mother of the Bride). Mulford is hilarious as the wedding she has planned her entire life for her daughter goes sideways at the penultimate moment. Fathers and Sons , as narrated by Keim with Shryock and Jackson as the titled characters is played beautifully, again showing the progression of a relationship. Christmas/Valentine’s Day sweetly tells the story of how a family handles the father’s confusion over holidays caused by dementia. Anna Proctor deftly interprets the age old conundrum of picking a burial plot for the view. The final scene of the act is Are There any Questions? The entire cast is led by Jackson as the Greek Professor calling for reconciliation after WWII. Jackson handles the scene with an understanding that moves the audience. Finally, the entire cast sings the reprise of Reflecting the Light with the audience using small round mirrors to join in.

The cast and director should be commended for this fine production. Audiences will reminisce as scenes from their lives are represented with humor and emotion. The play will run from June 5th to the 28th. Show times are 8:00pm on Friday and Saturday evenings with a Sunday matinee at 2:30pm. Call 316-744-2152 for tickets or take your chances at the door.

Next up for the playhouse will be a new play entitled Noir Comedy running from July 10th through August 2nd.

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_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/wichita/article/Review-ALL-I-REALLY-NEED-TO-KNOW-I-LEARNED-IN-KINDERGARTEN-at-Kechi-Playhouse-20260608)._