Based on a children’s book by Jules Feiffer, the musical “The Man in the Ceiling,” premiering at Bay Street Theater, celebrates creativity, and more specifically the art of cartooning. From the perspective of Jimmy, a kid whose father only wants him to play ball like the other kids, this is also a story about following your vision, and believing in yourself against all odds, a message pertinent to young people, and everyone. So how does that translate into a musical? “The Man in the Ceiling” has one of the most imaginative sets ever produced on the Bay Street stage, some really snappy tunes by Andrew Lippa, and talented actors, particularly Jonah Broscow as Jimmy—that’s how!

Adapting his own material and hewing close to Feiffer’s early life growing up in the Bronx, Jules Feiffer created a book and stage art verging on a theatrical cartoons, if that is a genre, with puppetry, projections and playful colors. The stage looks as if it were a page torn out of a sketchbook. As a cartoonist, Jimmy must learn to draw hands—a challenge for him, while negotiating the commissions of an older school kid who feeds Jimmy ideas he detests, and wants to exploit Jimmy’s talent.

Andrew Lippa does double duty as Uncle Lester, ironically an inspiration to Jimmy even if he is a failed composer. The actual "man in the ceiling" may be a deity of sorts but as the final musical number urges, “Draw Your Own Conclusion.”

Regina Weinreich

Graphic Design: Salpeter Ventura