An army of pink-clad theater goers will take over the Schwartz Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, when the musical play “Pinkalicious” takes to the stage.

    The show is based on the book of the same name, and features the title character and her obsession with a certain sweet. She can’t stop eating pink cupcakes, and the color eventually rubs off on her — literally.  The main character lands at the doctor’s office with a case of Pinkitis, which her family and friends have to help her overcome.

    Director Teresa Pond said kids often show up to the show with wands, cupcakes and, of course, clad in pink.

    “They watch with lots of rapture on their faces,” she said.

    Parents often chuckle along, too.

    Parents play a major role in the show, according to Pond. Pinkalicious’ parents have to help her learn about moderation, and they have to spend time together to do that. She said the story is a good way to teach kids the importance of taking time to appreciate your family, especially in a society that is wrapped up in technology.

    “That’s what you get in life — a lot of other things that are going to come and go but your family is key,” she said.

    The show appeals mainly to kids ages 3 to 10, Pond said.

    “Pinkalicious” is produced by Vital Theatre Company, which is based in New York City. There are running performances in New York, and the show also tours and does outreach shows at schools and other public venues. Molly Gilman has played Dr. Wink in the past, but now plays the title character. She has noticed that kids everywhere take away different messages from the show, including one of the central themes: that nearly everything is OK in moderation.

    “It’s great to love something as long as it doesn’t exclude everything else,” Gilman said.

    Children will also connect with the familiar characters, including the family members, family doctor and Pinkalicious’ best friend, Allison.

    Gilman said young audience members go silent when Pinkalicious and Allison have their first fight in the play because every kid has been there.

    “When a show, any piece of art... has any element of truth in it, that’s going to connect with people,” she said.

    The musical engages children right away — Gilman often hears an audible gasp when the cast first starts singing. The young audience members love to contribute, Pond said, so they also light up when cast members ask for their input.

    Gilman and Pond agree that even if they don’t come away with a deeper message, kids are sure to enjoy the experience of live theater.

    “The fact that you’re in the room with the live performers is just a different kind of connection,” Gilman said. “It’s something real that’s happening right before your eyes.”