Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical
Book by Melvin Tunstall III | Music by Greg Borowsky & Douglas Lyons | Lyrics by Douglas Lyons
FIND TICKETSApril 25 - May 11, 2025
Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical
CHOOSE A PERFORMANCE
If you have accessibility-related concerns, we’re happy to work with you to make sure you’re able to conveniently attend! Please reach out to use via phone at (812) 336-9300 (M-F, 12-5pm) or email at info@seeconstellation.org.
Overview
Written by 2 time Emmy nominee Douglas Lyons, Co-Directed by Melanie Lockyer and Tony & Emmy nominee John Tartaglia!
8-year-old Lily Polkadot just moved to the small, “Squares Only” town of Rockaway. As the first Polkadot in an all Square school, Lily faces an almost impossible task of gaining acceptance from her peers. Lily’s quest seems hopeless until she meets Sky, a shy Square boy whose curiosity for her polkadot skin blooms into an unexpected friendship. Inspired by the events of The Little Rock 9, Polkadots serves as a colorful history lesson that reminds us that our individual differences are what make us cool. Fun for all ages!
“The Next Great Multi-Generational Show” – Onstage Blog
Based on an Original Concept by Douglas Lyons
Supported by the McCarty New Works Initiative
Sensory-Friendly Performance
Sunday, May 11 at 1:00pm
Constellation offers select sensory-friendly performances for our Constellation for Kids series. This special performance is designed to create a theater experience that is welcoming to all families with children with sensory sensitivities. Tickets to Constellation’s Sensory-Friendly performances are Pay What You Will, meaning you get to choose your own ticket price (from $5-$75). Sponsored by Unlocking the Spectrum.
Accommodations for these performances include:
- Lower sound level, especially for startling or loud sounds
- Lights remain on at a low level in the theater during the performance
- Elimination of any strobe or flashing light sequences
- Patrons are free to talk and leave their seats during the performance
- More space in theater seating area for standing and movement
- Fidgets and noise canceling headphones welcome
- Resource materials available online and at performances, so families know what to expect at the theater and during the show.
The Cool Kids Gala
A One-of-a-Kind Event for Kids and Grown Ups Alike!
Get ready for an exciting celebration of creativity, belonging, and pure fun at the Polkadots Cool Kids Gala! This isn’t just any fundraiser—it’s a chance to experience an engaging musical, enjoy a delicious meal, and make memories that sparkle with inclusion and creativity.
Saturday, April 26, 2025 at the John Waldron Arts Center
Community Events

Constellation is proud to partner with Morgenstern Books for an event promoting our upcoming show for kids, Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical on Saturday, April 5th at 10am. Join us for a very special Saturday Story Hour featuring a reading of We’re Different, We’re the Same with a puppet from the show! Free to attend, open to everyone.
Creative Team
- Co-Director: John Tartaglia
- Co-Director: Melanie Lockyer
- Music Director: Rashad McPherson
- Puppet Maker: Matthew Lish
- Stage Manager: Mitchell Ward
- Scenic Designer: Shane Cinal
- Lighting Designer: Michelle Mann
- Costume Designer: Becky Underwood
- Sound Designer: David Sheehan

John Tartaglia (Co-Director): At the age of 16, John Tartaglia began his professional career as a puppeteer for Sesame Street. He earned a Tony award nomination for his Broadway debut in the dual roles of Princeton and Rod in Avenue Q. Other Broadway roles include Lumiere in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and originating Pinocchio and the Magic Mirror in Shrek the Musical. John went on to create, executive produce and star in his own preschool series Johnny and the Sprites, for Disney Junior, nominated for 8 Emmy awards, including a nomination for “Outstanding Performance in a Children’s Series” followed by creating the acclaimed Off-Broadway and international touring musical “ImaginOcean” that was re-imagined for television on PBS Kids called “Jim Henson’s Splash and Bubbles” (Creator, Co-Executive Producer and starring as “Splash”). John also stars as Kip the Wallaby on Jim Henson’s Word Party and as Hank in Julie’s Greenroom (starring Dame Julie Andrews) both on NETFLIX.
John’s theatrical directing credits include both Stephen Schwartz’s The Secret Silk and Jim Henson’s Inspired Silliness for Princess Cruises, Kinky Boots (3d Theatricals), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Maltz Jupiter Theater), Claudio Quest(NY Musical Theatre Festival- Winning 6 awards including “Best in Fest” and Best Director), Shrek The Halls(Dreamworks Theatricals), Because of Winn Dixie (Arkansas Rep and Goodspeed Operahouse development) and Jim Henson’s Musical World (Carnegie Hall). Most recently, he finished filming the second season of the EMMY winning Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock where he performs Gobo Fraggle, Architect Doozer, Gunge, Barry Blueberry and Sprocket the Dog as well as serving as an executive producer, writer and puppet captain.
Melanie Tojio Lockyer (Co-Director & Choreographer): Most recently, Melanie (she/her) directed the Nickelodeon/VStar/Cirque du Soleil tour of Baby Shark Live. Nickelodeon’s Blue’s Clues & You tour. Broadway, associate director for Allegiance. Original Broadway company of Miss Saigon. Co-director of Once a Night Time Spectacular in Vietnam. Associate director with John Tartaglia for The Secret Silk (Princess Cruises) Regional, co. director of numerous productions of Les Miserable and Miss Saigon. As well as regional productions of Thoroughly Modern Millie, Smokey Joe’s Cafe. Associate director, Because of Winn Dixie.