Review of “Pete the Cat, A Live Rock Musical” Rocks Imagination Stage with Music, Laughs & Big Life Lessons

Published by Rachel Migone, July 12, 2026

Looking for a fun family outing this summer? Pete the Cat: A Live Rock Musical at Imagination Stage in Bethesda delivers catchy rock music, colorful costumes, plenty of laughs, and positive messages about creativity, confidence, and friendship.

Pete the Cat-A Live Rock Musical at Imagination Stage in Bethesda, MD

June 17-August 2, 2026

Running time: 55 minutes

Pete the Cat: A Live Rock Musical at Imagination Stage

This adaptation of Pete the Cat: A Live Rock Musical, directed by Kathryn Chase Byer, is a high-energy, creative, colorful, rock-inspired musical.  I took my 11-year-old daughter to it and she smiled and laughed throughout the show. I was a little hesitant because its intended audience is children ages 4 to 10. I’m so glad I went. The show teaches valuable lessons about self-confidence, adapting to change, and trusting your friends, all wrapped in a fun, one-hour performance. 

A Colorful, High-Energy Musical for Families

The show opens with Pete, played by Michael Perrie Jr., making his entrance through the audience before leaping onto the stage. Perrie is instantly likable, bringing warm enthusiasm and playful charisma that keeps young audience members engaged throughout his performance.

Featuring energetic, Elvis-inspired rock music and plenty of guitar riffs, the musical guides the audience through the story. The costumes and set feature brightly colored pastels that contribute to the happy energy throughout the show.

Kylee Marquez-Downie, Kate Lurie, and Jay Frisby round out the cast, frequently breaking the fourth wall by looking directly at the audience. The children clearly enjoyed those moments. It was an effective technique to keep the attention of a room full of three- to seven-year-olds.

Pete and the Biddle Family Learn to Adapt

Pete is adopted by the Biddle family after being captured by an animal control officer. They initially clash because they see the world very differently, especially the son, a second grader Jimmy, played by Quadry Brown. Quadry perfectly captures Jimmy’s rigid, perfectionist personality. He lectures Pete through the song “Rules of the Bedroom,” explaining how Pete is expected to behave in Jimmy’s bedroom and is shocked when Pete ignores him and tramples on his bed and pillow. The audience responds with laughs and giggles. His sister, Kylee Marquez-Downie, immediately falls in love with Pete despite discovering she is allergic. She also delivers the amusing song “I Love My Allergies,” turning an unfortunate situation into a humorous lesson about adapting to challenges. 

Creativity, Confidence, and Friendship Take Center Stage

Pete pulls Jimmy into a chaotic situation when he follows him to school. The teacher adores Pete’s creative energy and decides to switch the test from math to art to appeal to Pete’s nature. Jimmy panics because he has only studied for the math test and ends up copying a classmate’s work. The teacher’s disappointment is palpable, creating a moment of tension that leaves the children in the audience noticeably quiet. She allows Jimmy a do-over to create his own painting but it is due the next day. 

The audience is attentive and quiet as they watch Jimmy hide under the couch to escape his assignment and his fear of disapproval from his parents. He does not believe he is up to the challenge. Pete gathers Jimmy’s parents and sister to encourage Jimmy with the song “Get out from Behind Couch.” They encourage him to tackle his assignment with curiosity. The next part of the show takes off in a land of fantasy aided by the magical addition of a VW (“Very Wonderful,” as Pete describes it) bus. The sound and lighting effects of the bus are a hit with the audience. 

Pete drives the bus through a series of imaginative destinations to show Jimmy more of the world and spark his creativity. The characters, such as the shark and astronaut, pass by the bus cause even more laughter while encouraging everyone to view the world through Jimmy’s growing imagination. My daughter especially loved the shark. Jimmy continues to face his personal challenges to find his creativity but through a clever plot twist, finds his way and finishes his painting. 

Is Pete the Cat a Good Show for Young Children?

The show is lively and colorful, and the actors are joyful in their performances, keeping the energy high from beginning to end.  Although the show is intended for children ages 4 to 10 years old, honestly, anyone can enjoy the music, positive life lessons, enthusiastic performances, and colorful sets and costumes. It’s an excellent introduction to live theater for young children, combining catchy music, colorful visuals, and meaningful life messages in a way they can easily understand. It just might spark a lifelong love of live theater. 

Pete the Cat Tickets, Dates, and Accessible Performances

The show runs from June 17-August 2 at Imagination Stage in Bethesda. Tickets are $15 and up.  

Access and Inclusion Performances:

ASL-interpreted: Saturday, June 27 and Saturday, July 25 at 1 pm

Sensory-Friendly/Inclusive: Sunday, July 12 at 10 am

Meet the Actors Performances

Meet the Actors (a chance to say hello and pose for pictures with members of the cast following the performance).

Sunday, June 21 at 4 pm

Saturday, June 27 at 1pm

Sunday, June 28 at 4pm

Saturday, July 11 at 4pm

Sunday, July 12 at 4pm

Saturday, July 18 at 4pm

Saturday, July 25 at 4pm

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