Review: Olympia Family Theater’s “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus”

Originally published on Rachel’s Choice on March 3, 2026

Hearing that the Olympia Family Theater (OFT) was doing a musical production of “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” brought me back to fond memories of being in my elementary school library, sitting “criss cross applesauce” on the rug, and listening to the librarian read this story. I love the nostalgia of that memory, but Mo Willems book was never really my thing … until now!

This musical captures what I believe is at the core of OFT — it derives magic out of the ordinary, connects us to the community that surrounds us, proclaims the message that we are all worthy of love and that we can make the world a better place through kindness. More on that later.

When you step into OFT during this show, you will see a table dedicated to talking about the new changes coming to our local bus system, along with some cute stickers, mini hand sanitizers, and a go-cart size replica of an Intercity Transit bus (which you can’t sit in, but can take a photo with)! This show’s partnership with Intercity Transit is inspiring and heartwarming, and a great reminder that when we all come together, we can really create incredible art!

“Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” is bright, funny, surprisingly deep, and is an overall campy delight! There are jokes that appeal to both kids and adults alike, and I could see this easily being a show that could appeal to all people … all you need is a ticket and an open mind!

Make a plan and get your tickets now before this show sells out! Tickets can be purchased directly from OFT. This show is running now until March 29th.

Praise for the Pigeon!

I loved the overall energy of the show that sparkled in the midst of all the elements.

The set design was particularly clever embracing vibrant colors and illustrations similar to the “Maisy” books by Lucy Cousins. It’s simple in the best way and very effective. The costumes and props compliment the sets very nicely. The Bus Driver’s costume specifically reminded me of something you might see in a Cher Show rerun.

The overall vocal and instrumental quality presented in this show were outstanding! If I were to speak candidly about it to a friend, I would say that the musical stylings dance through styles similar to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, the musical “Little Shop of Horrors,” classic Broadway, with perhaps a tiny splash of Motown or Gospel? It’s hard to exactly pinpoint the exact nuance that I really enjoy in the soundtrack, you should listen to it and tell me what you think.

Every member of the cast gave their all to the show, and it is evident in their performances. Marcel Beardslee’s performance as the Pigeon was dynamic, filled with fun facial expressions with emotive tones shining through their voice. The cynical part of me sometimes watches to see if the puppets mouth motions align with what it’s supposed to be saying, and Beardslee’s puppetry skills in this regard are impressive. Rachel Martin’s performance as the bus driver was heartfelt, fun, and joy filled. Elios Chafetz performance as “the Bus Engine” cracked me up not just because of the silly sound effects he made, but their dedication to every sound. Sahara Cook’s performance of the “little old lady” was hilarious and carried a charm reminiscent of a classic New Yorker from Queens like some of the iconic characters from “The Nanny.” Adam Martin’s ability to go back and forth between two opposite characters was impressive, and each character made me chuckle for different reasons.

I recognize that I keep talking about laughter, but that truly was the greatest gift this show gave me. Sadly, I do not laugh as easily or often anymore…do any of us? Each innocent laugh from this show was practically medicinal.

Speaking of medicinal moments in the audience, I encourage you at the opportune time to look around in the audience during the show. My heart squeezed seeing the awestruck faces of the children in the audience, and the child like joy emanating from the adults.

Personal Reflections

“Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” highlights the extraordinary qualities of seemingly ordinary people and animals. Going through our daily lives, it is easy to overlook others, especially those in a position that more commonly serves the public. Next time you ride the bus, go to the grocery store, come across a janitor, garbage man, or anyone else that society can sometimes overlook, I encourage you talk to them. Each of these individuals do make the world a better place, one bus stop, item scanned, or place cleaned up at a time. We all want to be seen, valued, cherished, and be reminded that we are making the world brighter. The conversation does not have to be deep or profound, a simple hello, thank you, or smile can go a long way.

The main arc of this story is about a pigeon who wants to drive a bus, but has limitations that do not allow him to. Sometimes in life we have dreams that feel beyond our means, and there are moments where we face rejection that prevents us from pursuing specific dreams further. Once upon a time, I wanted to be a music teacher and despite all my efforts, I did not meet the mark. Like the Pigeon, I felt broken, but then a window opened in my life and now I get to embrace what I love in a new way that is better suited to me. Life might require us to open ourselves up to other possibilities of fulfilling our root desires in a different way then we imagined, but just as the pigeon would tell us, some dreams require us to take flight rather than follow a traditional road. Trust the learning process and count your wins along the way. You never know what friends you will make at the bus stop.

Let OFT be a frequent bus stop in your lives. Your journey can begin with this show! Make a plan and get your tickets now before this show sells out! Tickets can be purchased directly from OFT.