STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK
Stanley Lambchop is a 10-year-old who, like so many idealistic youth his age, wants to do things no one has seen before and to have adventures where he’s the hero.
When he wishes on a star during a slumber party, he gets his wish in a way he could never have imagined.
His bulletin board containing his bucket list falls on him during the night, and his family awakens the next day find their little darling smashed. But the mail lady quickly realizes that she can send him on amazing adventures—to Hollywood, to Hawaii, even to Paris for a rendezvous with Mona Lisa and a portrait of Napoleon—through the mail.
“You can go anywhere in the world with just a tiny stamp,” the mail lady played by Ida Belle Gorby tells him.
St. Thomas Playhouse Company B will take you on “The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley JR.” today through Saturday at the Sun Valley Community School Theatre.
The play starts at 2 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, June 20-22, and at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday, June 21. Admission is $5 for children and $10 for adults at the door.
The play, which is based on Jeff Brown’s 1964 book “Flat Stanley,” features music and lyrics by Timothy Allen McDonald, David Weinstein, Jonathan K. Waller and Stephen Gabriel.
It is being directed locally by Anik Zarkos, a Community School graduate who just finished up her first year of college. Joel Bejot provided the musical direction and Savina Barini, the choreography.
“It’s a little different from what we’ve done in the past. It’s got fun songs and a cute story,” said Bejot.
The musical features 65 youngsters ranging in age from 4 years of age to eighth grade.
Leo Starr plays Stanley, and Lucy Letourneau, Trent Baker and Harrison Black his family members.
Ida Belle Gorby plays the mail lady and a museum curator.
Anika Petersen plays Napoleon and Langley Bier, Mona Lisa. And Marley Geist plays a Hollywood talent agent.
In the end, of course, Flat Stanley realizes that all the adventures in the world aren’t as much fun as he had thought they would be if he has no one to share them with. And, he decides, maybe the best adventures are at home with loved ones.
“The show is so cute. And I love working with the kids because there’s time for games. That, and time to build bonds,” said camp counselor Carly Ching.
“It’s a great show and the children get so into it,” added Jon Tatterson. “You see kids stuck in their shell and now they’re coming out—on stage. It’s all about coming together, putting on a play together and having fun together.”