OREM — If you Give a Mouse a Cookie at the SCERA Center for the Arts is truly one for the books. It is probably my favorite piece of theater I’ve seen all year. I’ve been raving about it to everyone I’ve come across since seeing it.
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If you Give a Mouse a Cookie is part of the SCERA’s Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) series, which features one-hour shows based on children’s stories. They do both public shows and school matinees. The show is based on the beloved book by Laura Joffe Numeroff and adapted by Jody Davidson. It follows a boy who just wants to relax and read his comic book when he is interrupted by a mouse who asks for a cookie and—you guessed it—a glass of milk to go with it. The boy attempts to fulfill all of the mouse’s requests that get wildly out of hand and make for an eventful afternoon.
Brodee Ripple’s direction brings the book to life through careful attention to detail and a strong focus on world-building. I especially appreciated how Ripple took great care not to dumb down the production. Sometimes with TYA, the acting becomes overexaggerated and in-your-face, leaving very little room for interpretation. Additionally, some TYA productions operate on relatively low budgets, but that is simply not the case at the SCERA. If you Give a Mouse a Cookie has all the bells and whistles.
Grace Oborn (Boy) truly has a knack for TYA. She utilizes specific physicality and vocal emphasis that works incredibly well for children’s theater. She establishes such a strong relationship with the audience right from the get-go, which makes for some fun audience interactions. Emily Nebeker (Mouse) brings so much energy and strong characterization to the stage. She has a firm understanding of beats and the concept that energy ebbs and flows but never drops. She uses the stage space well and truly explores the world that she and Oborn build.
Nebeker and Oborn each bring unique characterizations to the roles, creating an entertaining combination of energies. You can tell that they have done a lot of work to sync up and show up for one another as co-stars. It requires a lot of energy and work to pull off a two-woman show and they both make it look effortless.
The scenic design by Garrett Roblyer and prop design by Faith Sage are colorful and full of life. Everything was jumbo-sized, making it feel as though the story just jumped right off the page of a children’s picture book. Every time the Boy hands an object to the Mouse, the prop is creatively swapped for a bigger version of the object to emphasize the size difference between the two characters. The props are just so creative, and I especially love the massive fridge and Diet Coke cans. Truly no detail is missed, from buckets of glitter to bubbles to giant cotton balls. By the end of the show, the stage is pure chaos thanks to all of the havoc the Mouse wreaks. Truly demonstrating the chain of events that unfolds when you give a mouse a cookie.
Additionally, the lighting design by Chase Elison works hand in hand with the storytelling, using lighting cues and sound effects to demonstrate inner monologue moments. This is especially helpful for younger children as they follow the story. The costumes by Kelsey Seaver are equally colorful and vibrant. They truly add to the aesthetic of a children’s story.
I honestly have no critiques, production-wise. I just wish that there was a director’s note included in the program. I love hearing from the director because it makes the production feel more intentional when I know more about the heart of the show or the “why” behind creative choices. Regardless, the show still feels very intentional and full of heart.
If you Give a Mouse a Cookie at the SCERA is simply delightful! It is an amazing introduction to live theater for first-time theatergoers of all ages. My only regret is that I didn’t bring more family with me so I will be getting tickets to come again! I am genuinely excited about the SCERA’s TYA program and look forward to continuing to support its productions. Introducing young audiences to the arts is more important than ever and the SCERA does a wonderful job of making the arts accessible and magical.
MORE INFO: IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE is currently playing at the SCERA Center for the Arts in Orem, (745 S State Street, Orem, Utah 84058). Performances are held at 7:00PM Mondays and Fridays, through November 6, 2026. Tickets typically range from $6 to $10. For the most up-to-date schedule, performance details, and official ticketing, visit The SCERA’s website: https://scera.org
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