River, River, Spirit of the Water,
Rushing, Rushing, Sing to me your daughter
Widener University’s FreshBaked Theatre Company present The Sapphire Comb on Sunday October 30 at 2:00 pm in Widener University’s Alumni Auditorium. Matinees for local schools and homeschooling groups (by advance reservation) take place Weds November 2 at 10:00 am and Friday November 4 at 1:00 pm. Suggested donation of $1 per person will benefit Bernardine Center Food Pantry in Chester. A special performance will take place Sunday November 6 at 3:00 pm at Darlington Arts Center in Boothwyn, PA. The play is for ages 6 and up. Running time is 50 minutes.
The Sapphire Comb is an original tale by Moses Goldberg, one of America's master playwrights for young audiences. Eleven-year-old Hannah waves her "magic" sapphire comb, a remembrance from her mother, over the water each day while chanting and dancing to commune with the River Spirit and defeat the mighty River Dragon. In a fit of anger, her ferryman father throws Hannah's sapphire comb into the river, insisting that she quit her “foolish games” and help him. When Hannah and her friend Corwin discover a mysterious woman in the river, the three pull her to safety. The ghostly River Woman holds secrets of the river's needs as well as clues to Hannah's mother's disappearance eight years before. As the spring flooding season threatens the riverside farms, the village begins the annual process of sandbagging. “The river has been good to you,” proclaims River Woman. “Why do you fight her with these bags of earth?” She knows that the river MUST change, that it must flood regularly in order to replenish the soil and to prevent an angry flood later. She is able to convince Hannah, Corwin and Hannah's father to stop sandbagging. As the floods rise and recede, Hannah's sapphire comb is found on the bank, and the puzzle of her mother's disappearance is completed with a bittersweet reunion.
Moses Goldberg, one of America’s master playwrights for young audiences, voices the continuing struggle for balance and survival between humankind and the earth’s natural forces. Creative movement, puppets, and music help bring the mysterious tale to life. It is presented by special arrangement with Dramatic Publishing Company, Woodstock, IL.
The Sapphire Comb features Widener University students: Christina Delva of Chester; Brett Hudson of Glen Mills; Kristen Kendall of Munster, Indiana; Chara Kramer of Mount Laurel, NJ; and Viraga Perera of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Also featured is Ruby Knipe of Wilmington, DE. It is directed by Lisa Eckley Cocchiarale with technical direction by Daniel Castagna.
FreshBaked Theatre Company promotes Widener University’s mission of civic outreach with quality drama for children and families in the greater Chester area. The ensemble strives to produce thought-provoking plays that challenge both young and adult audiences.
For reservations or for more information, please email director Lisa Eckley Cocchiarale at ljcocchiarale@mail.widener.edu
