I Want a Hippopotamus

The acclaimed touring company The Barter Players presents a heartwarming seasonal musical with I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas, a delightful production full of bravery, excitement, and wonder. Written by playwright-in-residence Catherine Bush with a lively score by composer Dax Dupuy, this festive show brings to life a touching story centered around Lois Jean, a young zookeeper’s daughter who wishes for a hippopotamus to help reunite her family for the holidays. Directed and choreographed by Sarah Van Deusen, the production features a stellar cast of versatile actors who expertly navigate a series of fun musical numbers, including “Christmas at the Ypsilanti Zoo” and the iconic title track. Backed by the historic reputation of Virginia’s famous Barter Theatre, this Theatre for Young Audiences troupe delivers a world-class performance that perfectly balances high-energy entertainment with meaningful storytelling for children of all backgrounds.