By Mckayla Hull
Staff
The beloved animated British TV show Peppa Pig is stepping out of the television and onto the Mesa Arts Center stage for Peppa Pig’s Surprise! on Tuesday, Dec. 11.
Peppa is a loveable, cheeky little piggy who lives with her little brother George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig. Peppa enjoys playing games, dressing up, days out and jumping in mud puddles.
“The show brings their favorite characters to life,” says Daniel Hersh, who plays Daddy Pig in Peppa Pig’s Surprise!
“It’s insane to see these packed houses full of kids. Every kid is so excited to see their favorite character on stage. It’s become a real thing for them.”
As an actor, Hersh loves seeing the kids sing along and participate in call-and-response action with the audience, he says. Ticketholders will see sea creatures who go to the beach.
“Creatures swim across the stage and it really looks like they’ floating,” he says. “It just looks so cool.”
The “surprise” in the show is twofold. Peppa goes on an adventure (we won’t spoil it here) and a TV character makes a surprise appearance at the end of the show. Hersh wouldn’t even hint as to who that may be.
Hersh wasn’t reserved talking about Daddy Pig, a character he loves playing.
“I saw him as a bumbling idiot who was very lovable,” he says. “My doctor, though, gave me the perfect note: Daddy Pig is always trying his best to parent his kids.”
“I think that’s so brilliant because it shows that he’s never trying to show off. He’s always just trying to be the best parent that he can be.”
If there’s anything to be learned here, it’s about happiness.
“Peppa has a great time and she teaches the audience that you can find joy and happiness anywhere,” he says.
Peppa Pig Live! Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa, 480.644.6500, mesaartscenter.com, 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 11, $45, VIP packages available.
Special to SanTan Sun News
