LILLY'S PLASTIC PURPLE PURSE to Play The Rose, 3/29-4/14
By: BWW News Desk Mar. 14, 2013
Lilly loves everything about school, especially her cool teacher, Mr. Slinger. But when he confiscates her prized possession - a purple plastic purse that plays music - joy turns to misery in Lilly's Plastic Purple Purse, March 29 - April 14 at The Rose. Lilly, who is used to being the brightest and loudest mouse around, will also have to get used to sharing the spotlight with her new baby brother in this charming adaptation of Kevin Henkes' award-winning children's book.
"Anyone who's had a child knows they can go from euphoria to the dead souls of Gogol in an instant and back again," said guest director Graham Whitehead, whose production playfully captures Lilly's epic feeling of hopelessness on losing her prized possession. "The tempo constantly changes to reflect Lilly's inquisitive mind, and creates a perceived psychological reality that gives the audience that experience of being in a fantasy world."
Gripped with anger after losing her purse, Lilly draws a mean portrait of Mr. Slinger and hides it in his book bag. But when she gets her purse back and opens it outside of school, she finds a surprising note: "Today was a difficult day. Tomorrow will be better." Suddenly wracked with guilt, Lilly sets out to make up with her teacher. But villainous bicycle-riding bullies, a spotlight-stealing baby brother and the dreaded "uncooperative chair" will test our heroine's resolve.
Childhood's inner life is a central theme of the story, and with the shifts in pacing and Salvador Dali-inspired props, the show cleverly conveys Lilly's struggles and feelings of absurdity. "It's not often that you get to discuss existential authors when working in theater for young people," said Whitehead. "Adults will appreciate some familiar motifs and it'll be fun to see kids react to elements that don't usually come up in children's theater."
Whitehead, who has directed at the Kennedy Center, the Arizona Theatre Company, and was the Associate Artistic Director for Childsplay Theater in Tempe, Arizona, said he's excited to put a new twist on the story by Kevin Henkes. The author of thirteen books featuring Lilly and her mouse friends, including the 1994 Caldecott Honor Book Owen, Henkes' stories have been adapted into dozens of children's Theater Productions.
But none quite like this one.
"It's a popular play for young audiences, but no one is doing it the way we're doing it-" said Whitehead, "totally inventive and open-minded to possibility."
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse will be presented Fridays at 7 pm, Saturdays at 2 pm and Sundays at 2 and 4:30 pm, March 29 - April 14. Extra performances are schedule for Saturday, April 6th and 13th at 7 pm. No performance on Easter Sunday, March 31.
Tickets are $18, with discount ticket vouchers available at all area Hy-Vee stores for $14. Reservations are required. Call (402) 345-4849 or purchase online at www.rosetheater.org.
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