World Premiere Musical, BUGS!, Asks Audiences To Consider The Little Things

Asheville Creative Arts (ACA), Asheville's professional children's theatre announces the continuation of its 6th Season with BUGS!, the world premiere of the charming and uplifting musical created by ACA's resident artists, Gina Stewart and Brenda Gambill of Jonesalee, with lead artists Abby Felder (direction), Blakeney Bullock (choreography), and Gina Stewart (musical direction), featuring puppetry and costumes from artist Edwin Salas Acosta, and video and projections from Holly Heveron-Smith.

The production, which will be held at Magnetic 375 (375 Depot Street), will run from July 19-29, Fridays at 7pm, Saturdays at 1pm and 3:30pm, and Sundays at 1pm, with added performances Sunday July 22 at 3:30pm and Thursday July 26 at 7pm. All tickets in the first weekend of performances are $12, tickets for performances beginning July 26 are $12 for students and $23 for adults and are available at the company website, http://ashevillecreativearts.org/purchase-tickets.

When a band of buskers are magically transformed into insects, they must listen to and learn from one another before being returned to their human form. Will they? Comprised of a series of vignettes, this immersive musical spectacle observes and explores the tiny, teeming insect world, in a funny and uplifting experience that asks us to pause, look closely and consider the little things.

The cast, who will bring to life an insect world rich with possibility includes Edwin Salas Acosta performing the role of Horsefly, Holly Heveron-Smith on drums and performing the role of Praying Mantis, Jake Donham on keys and guitar performing the role of Wooly Worm, Laura Blackley as the Busker Band Leader who plays guitar, and Tristan Cameron, playing harmonica, performing the role of Ladybug,

Abby Felder says "we are delighted to continue our sixth season with an immersive, fun, and upbeat production that is not only a world premiere, but also the first production to appear on our mainstage that began as an idea on a page that was workshopped in our Incubator Series, and which is now being fully realized as a stage experience. As with all of our productions, this show embodies important, socially relevant themes, and will help audiences of all ages to stop, pause, and see the humanity in one another, without discounting the little things...or little ones."

Leading the charge to help audiences explore the real-world application of ideas expressed in the production is Daniele Martin, ACA's Community Outreach Director and a Resident Artist, who will moderate post-show discussions helmed by leaders from local community based organizations. These forums are a unique offering from ACA that continue the organization's emphasis on education, and provide a space for audiences of all ages to process any questions or emotions that arise during a production, and to practice critical and creative thinking. Past people and organizations participating have included Reverend Michael Carter of the UU Church, YouthOutRight, Givens Highland Farms, Yoga for Women of Color, and Hood Huggers International.

BUGS! will include weekday matinee performances for camp and school groups July 19-20 and 25-27, with specially discounted $7 and free tickets, plus pre-show study guide designed in accordance with Common Core benchmarks for learning, and post-show Q&A underwritten by generous individual donors with limited full price tickets available to the public. For information on booking these shows, contact Abby Felder at 914-830-3000 or at abby@ashevillecreativearts.org.

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