Stuart Little

February 11 - May 9, 2003

Based on the book by E.B. White
Adapted by Joseph Robinette.
Music by Ronna Frank.
Lyrics by Joseph Robinette and Ronna Frank.
Directed by Christopher Willard

Ideal for ages 4 and older.

Filled with imaginative puppets, talented actors, colorful costumes and clever music, E.B. White’s classic book comes to life on stage in the Arvada Center’s latest children’s theater production, Stuart Little.

Ideal for ages four and up, this heartwarming musical production tells the story of Stuart Little, a charming mouse who is born into a human family. Despite his small stature, Stuart gets around quite a bit in the world - riding a Fifth Avenue bus, racing a sailboat in Central Park (he wins the race), teaching school for a day, searching for a frozen lake on which to use his ice skates made of paperclips, riding in the back of a garbage truck (though not by choice) and more. Loved by nearly everyone he meets (except for the family feline, Snowball), Stuart determined and ready to face whatever challenges await him. His greatest adventure comes when he sets out in search of his dearest friend, a beautiful bird named Margalo. Small in size only, Stuart has the adventurousness, purpose and indomitable spirit of a heroic figure, showing audiences that life is a journey and no matter what they look like, if they believe in themselves, they can succeed.

This adaptation of Stuart Little features outstanding original music ranging from sweet solo ballads to a chorus of cats who scat. The music helps move the story along and hold the attention of even the youngest audience member.

In addition to the tremendous talents of eight local actors, the Arvada Center production of

Stuart Little features the creative work of Denver’s premier puppeteer, Cory Gilstrap. Stuart (Mike Skillern), Margalo (Dania Anderson) and Snowbell (Bill Berry) are all played by actors with puppets incorporated into both their costumes and roles.

On the technical side, the Stuart Little set, which alludes to the style of a pop-up book, draws on the work of Garth Williams (illustrator of Stuart Little). Props will be both large and small, with Stuart searching finding a hula-hoop size version of his mother’s wedding ring in the bathtub drain, taking it off-stage to Mrs. Little who then slips a normal size ring on her finger creating the size illusions.

Children’s imaginations are sure to be engaged by this clever, creative production, directed by children’s theater veteran, Christopher Willard. Willard directed the Arvada Center’s acclaimed productions of Strega Nona, Babe, the Sheep-Pig and The Ant Queen’s New Clothes.