Thursday, January 5, 2012

llama llama red pajama: from the page to the stage


Stages Theatre Company in Hopkins, Minnesota is getting ready for the world premiere of  LLAMA LLAMA RED PAJAMA. It opens January 13th. It's an exciting time, and I thought that I'd share some of our rehearsals with you.

l. to r. Claire, Maddie, Emma, Alaina and me in our Llama shirts

This photo is from our first night with sound. Getting used to the microphones and sound levels is a very important part of the rehearsal process, as you can imagine.


Director, Sandy Boren-Barret and choreographer, Ann Marie Omeish

Sandy Boren-Barret, the director of the show, and the Artistic Director of Stages Theatre Company, had a great idea for this musical. She envisioned six Mama Llamas and six Baby Llamas. They all have different personalities. For example, one baby loves theatre, another plays soccer, one is a magician, and another loves to golf. The audience will get to see each Mama Llama try to get her Baby Llama to go to bed, and the funny things that the Baby Llamas try to do to stay up.



It was a lot of fun coming up with different excuses as to why the Baby Llamas don't want to go to bed. This is a picture of Grant. He plays Billy, "The Next Tap Dancing Sensation!" Of course he wants to tap dance instead of go to bed.


Anna Dewdney

We are all very excited because Anna Dewdney will be visiting us and seeing the show on January 29th!

Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
Adapted by Jennifer Kirkeby
Music by Shirley Mier

For more information about the show, please visit: http://www.stagestheatre.org/

Also, be sure and check out Anna's website: http://www.annadewdney.com/

12 comments:

Eric VanRaepenbusch said...

Congratulations and good luck this month! What a great idea to adapt this book and bring it to life! I wish I lived in Minnesota so I could see. Will you be posting any video clips?

Jennifer Kirkeby said...

Hi Eric! Thanks for you kind wishes. I hope to be posting some video clips. Stay tuned!

Unknown said...

So glad you are doing this blog. It gives this "mama of a llama" a glimpse of what my daughter does while she's away! Thanks!

Unknown said...

Thanks for writing this blog. It gives this "mama of a llama" a chance to see what my daughter experiences. Best of luck during tech week!

Robyn Campbell said...

Aww, I wish I were closer, so I could come and cheer y'all on. It's about time someone brought this lovely book to the stage.

Thank you for the follow over at my house. I'm following you back and glad I did. *waving*

Jennifer Kirkeby said...

Thanks for the comments, Jeannie and Robyn! It has been so much fun adapting this book. I'm going to blog about the different things kids do to get out of going to bed, and the different things parents try to get them to bed, so if you have any stories you'd like to share, please let me know!

Debbie LaCroix said...

Congrats on a great adaption! Wish I was closer. :-) The play sounds adorable.

Our theatre does a Spotlight on Literacy. They get a grant to purchase copies of the book. A local celebrity goes around to the schools and reads the books, then the kids are bused in to see a play. It's a great program. They just did Velveteen Rabbit (My Billy was in it--love the tap dancing Billy!), and are working on Charlotte's Web now. They do 3 - 5 a year. :-)

Jennifer Kirkeby said...

Thanks, Debbie! What theatre is near you? Stages Theatre Company is very involved in bringing literacy and arts programs to schools. I smiled when I saw that you have a Billy! Happy Writing!

Beth Stilborn said...

This looks like such fun! Wish I was going to be in the Cities during the run! (Closest I'll get is a touch down in MSP on my way to LA in early February.)

All the best, and keep us posted -- love seeing the different Little Llamas!

Jennifer Kirkeby said...

Thank you, Beth! More Llama action coming up later today!

Alison K Hertz said...

Jennifer,
I LOVE theater. That is where I started (shortly after I learned to walk). Take your knowledge of theater into picture books! What a great niche'.

Oh - and I love the header on your page. Simple, professional, clear. Nice.

Jennifer Kirkeby said...

Thanks, Alison! I appreciate your comment. It is so nice to hear from a theater lover like yourself!

LinkWithin

Related Posts Widget for Blogs by LinkWithin