By Liz Eichler
DreamWorks How to Train Your Dragon The Musical, JR. delights audiences of all ages, with “really cool dragon puppets, singing, and people who run through the aisles,” as the twins next to me put it.
They also gave me the plot in advance: a village that fights dragons until one boy realizes the dragons don’t want to fight at all—and becomes the first to fly one.
Which, as it turns out, is pretty accurate.
Production Values for Days
The Emery Theatre is transformed into the Viking village of Berk through an immersive blend of scenic design, projections, and lighting. A large central platform rises and falls, framed by a wooden structure that grounds the world in a rugged, storybook Nordic aesthetic.
Projections by Lightborne sweep us from mountains to sky to the Red Death’s lair, seamlessly extending across the stage, side panels and proscenium to create a fully enveloping environment. The lighting (Yelena Babinskaya) is alive with color and texture — it even pulses at times. Using lighting, projections, and aisle lanterns, there is a very effective night scene which glitters throughout, making the whole audience look around in wonder.
Scenic design by Nate Bertone evokes a kind of “Great Wolf Lodge on steroids,” with oversized hand hewn log structures, boulders, and other imaginative elements. Costumes by John Coulter blend Nordic inspiration with some modern flair—fur trims, boots, and colorful layers—though the sheer variety can make some of Hiccup’s classmates difficult to distinguish. And of course, all but Hiccup wear unique Viking helmets.
Amazing Puppets
The standout puppets by Kevin Frisch bring the dragons vividly to life, especially Toothless (operated by Christian Arias and Aaron Marshall). Their movement is fluid and expressive, with choreography by Angelo Cerniglia ensuring their staging remains dynamic without feeling crowded (a few have rather long tales). Zippleback (operated by Cami Caldwell and Braedan Criss) gets a delightful solo moment. A second set of colorful dragons—minions of the Red Death—built on a t-rex style body puppet are a bit more menacing, but not too scary.
The Red Death itself (Michelle Wells) is an imaginative feat: large-scale without being overwhelming, with sweeping fabric frills that ripple and expand to create a sense of danger without tipping into nightmare territory for younger viewers.
Performers
Hiccup (Colton Slade) is an earnest son trying to win the approval of his father, Stoick (Evan Koons), the formidable leader of Berk. At dragon training school, he struggles to measure up alongside his peers—including Astrid (Lilly Buck), a clear audience favorite, and a spirited group of classmates who are far more comfortable in battle than he is.
Everything shifts when Hiccup encounters Toothless. Their unlikely friendship reframes everything he thought he knew about dragons, leading him to discover that they are not the enemies his village believes them to be. And they like an ear tickle now and then. Hiccup is driven to learn everything about all kinds of dragons, even overtaking Astrid’s skills, to her dismay. She follows him and discovers Toothless, who takes them both for a magical dragon ride–until they are pulled into the Red Death’s lair. With the larger threat of the Red Death (Michelle Wells), Hiccup must find a way for everyone to move forward with their truth.
Musical Standouts
The fourth graders on my left and the four-year-old on my right both approved of the music (Jamey Strawn, Music Direction). The kids behind me declared Astrid’s song “Just Another Girl” their favorite “because she sang the loudest,” and everyone loved “How to Kill a Dragon.”
I found myself drawn to the more introspective “Imagine if I Could Breathe a Little Less Fire.”
Overall
Recommended for all ages—no kids required. Director and Artistic Director Roderick Justice ensures a thoughtfully curated experience from the moment you walk in, from interactive lobby displays to the visual richness onstage. At just about an hour, the production keeps its audience engaged and energized throughout.
If you’re new to TCT, plan to arrive early. You may be greeted by Justice and his team, spot dragon eggs hidden throughout the lobby, or find the perfect photo opportunity before the show. Snacks and souvenirs are available, and a brief introduction to theatre etiquette helps set the stage for younger audiences. (But as we discovered, keep your metal water bottles at home. They will hold them for you if you can’t schlep it back to the car.)
Tickets to How to Train Your Dragon
DreamWorks How to Train Your Dragon The Musical, JR. runs through May 3, 2026. Find tickets and more information HERE. Grab your tickets now, before this one flies away.
Also, check out some future shows coming to the Emery.
