‘Elephant and Piggie’ to Headline State Theatre Kids’ Day

FUSE Productions and WPSU will present the children’s musical ‘Elephant and Piggie’s ‘We Are In A Play!” as part of a special Kids’ Day on Saturday at The State Theatre.

Two performances, at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., will anchor the day’s events, which also will include a showing of ‘Odd Squad: The Movie,’ read-alongs from the Elephant and Piggie books with Schlow Library staff and an interactive session with Adam Swartz Puppets.

All Kids’ Day events are included with the purchase of an ‘Elephant and Piggie’ show ticket. Tickets are $9 and can be purchased here. Ticket holders also will receive a 15 percent discount at The Corner Room.

“We are definitely excited to perform ‘Elephant and Piggie’ again,” said Richard Biever, FUSE producing artistic director, ‘and to be involved in this new partnership with WPSU.

‘It’s fantastic, because we both share a passion for educational entertainment. And, so many people were unable to attend our previous performances — we had no idea that the books were so well loved by kids.”  

All five of FUSE Productions’ early May performances of the musical sold out at the 531-seat State Theatre. For the July 1 event, both lead actors from the original production and all but one of the supporting cast members will be returning to perform.

Commissioned by The Kennedy Center, ‘Elephant and Piggie’s ‘We Are In A Play!” debuted there in 2013. The book and lyrics were written by Mo Willems, based on the characters from his popular children’s book series.

In the show, an elephant named Gerald (Jonathan O’Harrow) and a pig named Piggie (Madeline Biever) are best friends. But Gerald worries that something could go wrong that might end their friendship. Piggie is not worried — she’s even happier and more excited than usual, because she and Gerald are invited to a party hosted by The Squirrelles (Katie Kensinger, Clara Hanahan and Lauren McKee), three singing squirrels who love to have a good time.

The production is directed by Richard Biever and choreographed by Jill Brighton. Costumes are by Julie Snyder and lighting is designed by Tyler Sperrazza.