Salt Lake Acting Company - Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience

By Mo Willems & Deborah Wicks La Puma
December 5 - 30, 2025
Children's Play
Wilbur and all his fellow naked mole rats in The Tunnel have always been, well... naked. Wondering what other possibilities are out there, Wilbur discovers a love for clothing and style.
Buy Tickets

Playbill
Playwright: Mo Willems & Deborah Wicks La Puma
Director: Penelope Caywood
Running Time: 50-minutes
Cast: Joseph Paul Branca, Scotty Fletcher, Katie Lobrot, Alexa Shaheen, Matthew Tripp, Sophie Jean White
Creative Team: Penelope Caywood (Director/Choreographer/Music Director), Gage Williams (Set Designer), Jesse Portillo** (Lighting Designer), Dennis Hassan (Costume Designer), Erika Ahlin-Bird (Props Designer), Zachary Hansen (Rehearsal Pianist), Bridgette Lehman (Production Manager/Stage Manager), Tahra Veasley (Production Manager), Bryce Romleski (PTP Asst. Director/Asst. Choreographer), Leah Brown (PTP Asst. Costume Designer)
Creative Team: Penelope Caywood (Director/Choreographer/Music Director), Gage Williams (Set Designer), Jesse Portillo** (Lighting Designer), Dennis Hassan (Costume Designer), Erika Ahlin-Bird (Props Designer), Zachary Hansen (Rehearsal Pianist), Bridgette Lehman (Production Manager/Stage Manager), Tahra Veasley (Production Manager), Bryce Romleski (PTP Asst. Director/Asst. Choreographer), Leah Brown (PTP Asst. Costume Designer)
Other Notes: **Represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA 829 of IATSE. Based on the Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed book by Mo Willems Published by Hyperion Books for Children Script & Lyrics by Mo Willems Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
Audio Described Performance: Saturday, December 27th at 3 PM
Sensory Friendly Performance: Saturday, December 27th at 3 PM

Wilbur and all his fellow naked mole rats in The Tunnel have always been, well... naked. Wondering what other possibilities are out there, Wilbur discovers a love for clothing and style. When word of his new passion turns The Tunnel upside down, he proves to everyone that there's no need to be just like everyone else.

A special lesson and rock show all in one, Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience has energetic songs, quirky characters, and a story unlike any other that will bring joy to both the young and the young at heart.

Reviews:
- "The six actors ensure this ranks easily among the most impressive examples of professional theatrical productions for younger audiences that I have seen in recent years.", Les Roka, The Utah Review
- "Part of what a theater experience like this can do is help people feel connected—and this holiday season, joining in that communal experience is one more thing that can provide a few much-needed smiles.", Scott Savage, City Weekly
- "Honestly, it's a perfect production and a lovely reminder that being yourself is always the best choice.", Alisha & Jason Hagey, Front Row Reviewers
- "This is one of the most enjoyable children's shows I've witnessed—playful, generous, and alive with the belief that every child deserves a story that welcomes them in.", Keolanani Kinghorn, Rhetorical Review
- "Salt Lake Acting Company and Penelope Caywood continue to thrive with their productions for young audiences.", Darby Turnbow, Utah Theatre Bloggers
- "Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience provides children with the gift of theatre.", Laney Hansen, The Daily Utah Chronicle
Dive Deeper:

Community Production Partners

We are proud to partner with The King's English Bookshop, The Children's Service Society of Utah, and The Visual Art Institute for this production. The King's English Bookshop will be providing books and merchandise from Mo Willems for purchase at the theatre. We will also be collecting pajamas and feminine hygiene products for The Children's Service Society of Utah during the run of the show. SLAC's Green Room Gallery will feature art by students from The Visual Art Institute.

Kings English Logo 2