Part of SCERA's Theatre for Young Audiences program, "Tremendously Tall Tales" will reflect the adventures of American icons like Johnny Appleseed, John Henry and Paul Bunyan, but will also add pratfalls, sight gags and hat tricks in the style of vaudeville. The performance, directed by Robinne Booth, is less than an hour long.
Check out just-released production shots from the show below!
Performances will begin Feb. 20 and continue through March 9, with shows on Monday and Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m. Reserved seat tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children (age 3-11), students (w/ID) and seniors (65+) and are available in advance from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays from 12 Noon - 6 p.m at the main office of the SCERA, 745 South State, Orem, by calling (801) 225-ARTS, online at www.scera.org or at the door 30 minutes prior to each show.
The stories told include Paul Bunyan the Lumberjack, John Henry the Railroad Man and Johnny Appleseed the Planter of Orchards. Telling the tales is a rag tag theater group crossing the Midwest at the beginning of the 20th Century. Called Eddie B. Brown's Traveling All-Star Yokels, the cast of six takes on many roles in this "play within a play" concept.
The cast will feature Eric Johnson as Johnny Appleseed; Alec Powell as John Henry; Peter Sessions as Paul Bunyan; Shawn Mortensen as Captain Eddie; and Danielle Berry and Deborah Bowman playing a variety of roles within each story.
Mortensen, who voices Captain Eddie as a puppet, is hidden in the theater troupe's traveling wagon, and he participates in each tall tale as his "All-Star Yokels" perform them for the audience. The puppet is dressed like the old cowboy sidekick Gabby Hayes, and was designed by master puppeteer and SCERA Technical Director Nat Reed.
As the set opens, it will be a dark stage-but that's just before the explosion of colors and items fill the stage. As Paul Bunyan is talking, for example, he will help create the Rocky Mountains. In other segments, circus tents will appear, a treasure chest will reveal its riches, and there is a giant book that tells the story of each character.
Arranging the bluegrass style of music for this charming piece of Americana will be David McDougal Jr's Right On Cue Services. Also assisting Booth are Shawn Mortensen as choreographer, Kelsey Seaver as costumer, Joel Farnsworth and Morgan Barksdale as set designers, Nat Reed as light designer, Martha Glissmeyer as music director, and Danielle Berry as stage manager.
Booth, who has directed and performed in several SCERA shows, teaches drama and theater at Merit Academy, a college prep school in Springville.
Photo Credit: Mark A. Philbrick
