By Liz Eichler
The award-winning Doodle Pop is at the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati through June 7, 2026.
Produced by the South Korean company BRUSH Theatre, it celebrates creativity, sibling rivalry, clowning, and caring for the creatures of the earth—and under the sea.
Clad in black and white and accompanied by a three-person band in party hats, Oogie and Boogie radiate positive energy that the audience quickly connects with—kids and adults alike. Young audience members are invited to participate throughout the performance, and children seated in the orchestra even get to help create drawings of the performers. Adults, meanwhile, may find themselves marveling at the technology behind the drawing board and how seamlessly it advances the story.
The magic begins with simple black drawings on a white board. But this is no ordinary sketch pad: the drawings spring to life, and the performers interact with them. A ball can be drawn and kicked back and forth. What starts with a few drops of water gradually expands into an ocean as drawings appear and disappear beneath sweeping strokes of oversized brushes. Along the way, a turtle emerges as the show’s emotional throughline.
The lighting is remarkably precise, and the lighting almost becomes another character in the production. There is puppetry—hand puppets, shadow work, and more—along with delightfully silly clowning. And yes, there’s dancing too.
The show holds the attention of most young children, although the three-to-five-year-olds seated in front of me began to get a bit restless around the 50-minute mark of the hour-long performance. Fortunately, they were soon captivated again, laughing and applauding very loudly.
Marketed for Pre-K through second grade and their families, Doodle Pop captures the imagination. I especially encourage Cincinnati Fringe Festival attendees to make the short walk over. The production has appeared at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and carries the polish and inventiveness of a top-tier, well-funded Fringe production. Because it is largely wordless, language is never a barrier. These performers communicate through the universal language of clowning, smiles, and a genuine love of their craft.
Overall: Theatre for all ages, and world-class clowning sparking the imagination. Highly Recommended.
For tickets to Doodle Pop, contact The Children’s Theatre Box Office.
NOTE: If you are a Cincinnati Fringe All-Access Pass holder, you can get a FREE ticket to Doodle Pop if you present your pass at the TCT Box Office.
The Cincinnati Fringe continues through June 13, 2026. More information about the Fringe HERE.
Remaining Performances at The Emery Theatre:
- June 5, Friday – 4:00pm
- June 5, Friday – 7:00pm
- June 6, Saturday – 2:00pm
- June 6, Saturday – 5:00pm
- June 7, Sunday – 2:00pm
- June 7, Sunday – 5:00pm
