A mouse navigating the human world comes to life on stage in “Stuart Little: The Musical,” a student production that transforms a classic children’s story into a playful theatrical experience. The play closes out the University Theatre’s spring slate, running Apr. 22–25.
Directed by Naomi Buckley, the production is based on the novel by E.B. White and adapted for the stage by Joseph Robinette, with musical direction by Thomas Craig Buckley.
Naomi Buckley said the production was designed to emphasize imagination over realism, particularly in its portrayal of animals and environments on stage.
“We wanted to approach this from the perspective of children’s theater, which naturally invites imagination,” she said. “Instead of fully realistic animal costumes, we use simple visual cues—like ears, wings or transformed clothing pieces—so the audience fills in the rest.”
The set features modular blocks resembling oversized children’s building toys, allowing actors to transform the stage into new environments throughout the performance.
“Everything is meant to feel like a play space,” Naomi Buckley continued. “The actors are creating environments in real time, so the audience is always part of that imaginative process.”
Music director Thomas Craig Buckley said his work focuses on building musical foundations while helping students connect music to character development and storytelling.
“It’s about teaching music at the beginning and building those first steps,” he said. “Then we start asking what the character is like and how the music influences the dialogue and performance.”
He said the rehearsal process is highly collaborative with director Naomi Buckley, noting that they’ve worked together a lot.
“We work together to make sure the music helps influence the dialogue and overall storytelling,” Thomas Craig Buckley said, adding that rehearsals are structured in layers, allowing students to gradually build toward fully realized scenes.
He said rehearsals build progressively, with each day adding new elements to create a cohesive performance. He added that music plays a key role in shaping both mood and stage direction.
“When I hear suspense in the music, I work with Naomi to elevate that through lights, blocking and performance,” he said. “Everything comes together—voice, staging and design—to support the story.”
He said one of his favorite parts of the process is watching the production come together during technical rehearsals, when students begin to fully understand their roles and the performance starts to feel complete just before opening. “That’s when students start to have those ‘light bulb’ moments.”
Student performer Makoa Montero said the production has pushed him to take on a wide range of roles, including a doctor, Snowbell, a bus driver and others.
“All of these characters are very different,” Montero said. “The experience, I would say it’s been very interesting and a lot of soft character research.”
He said the biggest challenge has not been the difficulty of the material itself, but the volume of work required.
For performer Kyro Lanay Davis, who plays Mr. Little, the production marks a return to musical theatre and an opportunity to explore a character grounded in both discipline and care.
“My character is caring, yet very disciplined by his son George,” Davis said. “He cares about his family a lot, even Stuart, and wants the best for him.”
Davis said the production has offered a new experience, and they were excited to sing, dance, and act because they hadn’t performed in a musical “in a long time.”
“Rehearsals have been quite fun because we get to make many choices and find moments of whimsy and silliness in the show,” they said.
For ensemble performer Hannah Stelter, the production has been an introduction to musical theatre and an opportunity to grow as a performer.
“I’m playing a number of roles in the ensemble—I love the versatility of my characters!” Stelter exclaimed. “My favorite is when I get to be that one weird kid no one knows what to do with.”
Stelter said she was drawn to the production while working on her own creative projects.
“I am writing a musical of my own and figured it would be a good idea to sing in one, since I’ve never been to a musical before,” she said, adding that rehearsals have been highly educational.
“Rehearsals are very informative; I’ve learned more about the process of putting on a musical,” she said. “It is my greatest wish for the audience that they feel there is space in the world for those things about being human that don’t seem to fit.”
For performer Saje Alexia Van Petten, who performs in the ensemble and serves as a narrator at times, the production marks her first musical theatre experience. She said she was drawn to the show for its accessibility and the opportunity to gain experience.
“What drew me was the fact that it was open to everybody. I also wanted to get some experience because I like musicals. I am a music performance major.”
Van Petten said acting has been the biggest challenge. “It’s the acting part, especially when you’re playing so many different roles.”
For performer Janelle Catbagan, who plays Mrs. Little, Malty and Miss Swenson, returning to the Dominguez Hills stage felt like a natural return to musical theatre after graduating in 2022.
“Ever since graduating from Dominguez in 2022, I grew this love for performing in musical theatre,” Catbagan said. “Once I found out Dominguez was having a musical, I knew I had to go for it!”
She said her primary role, Mrs. Little, is the most meaningful.
“She’s the caring mother full of life who sees Stuart as her own son,” she said.
Catbagan said the biggest challenge has been balancing acting, music and multiple roles.
“Memorizing dialogue was always the most challenging,” she said.
She added that she now works as a high school choir teacher in Santa Ana, which keeps her connected to music and performance.
“I hope the audience feels nostalgic and reminiscent of their childhood,” she said.
Across the cast, performers said the story’s themes of identity, growth and acceptance stand out.
Montero said he connects most with the character Snowbell, while Davis said the message of self-acceptance resonates strongly.
“Stuart never lets anything about him bring him down,” they said. “That’s something I really connect with.”
Van Petten said the range of characters reflects real emotional experiences. “That switching is difficult, but it’s also what makes it fun,” she said.
Performers emphasized the sense of community formed during rehearsals, with long hours leading to strong connections.
“I love the bonding you get when you’re rehearsing,” Montero said. “You build a little family.”
Director Naomi Buckley said that sense of connection is something she hopes audiences feel as well.
“I hope they feel childlike joy and playfulness,” she said. “But also, a reminder about friendship, acceptance and finding people who love you for who you are.”