The Lake at the End of the World: Nov 3, 4, 8, 9

Widener University presents The Lake at the End of the World, a musical for young audiences, on November 3 and 4 at 2:00 pm in Alumni Auditorium. Suggested donation is $2 per person, with all proceeds benefiting Bernardine Center Food Pantry in Chester. Matinees for local schools (by reservation) take place November 8 at 1:00 pm and November 9 at 10:00 am. For ages 5 and up. Running time is 45 minutes. For more information, contact director Lisa Eckley Cocchiarale at ljcocchiarale@mail.widener.edu Drawn from an ancient Inca folktale, this play shows how a child, filled with truth and courage, can bring healing and hope. The music of Nancy Rosenberg leads us into another culture and energizes David F. Eliet's tale of a girl who reaches beyond what is expected of her as she saves her family and her people and touches the heavens. When his son grows ill, the Inca king promises his own life to the fire spirit if his son's life can be saved. When the fire spirit claims that only the water from the magic lake can save the son, the Inca offers a reward for anyone who will bring the water. A young farm girl, Sumac, has a brother who covets this reward and sets out to find the lake but becomes discouraged and devises a plan to bring water from an ordinary lake. When his deception is discovered, the Inca sentences him to death. Sumac stays the execution when she promises to find the magic lake or die trying. With the help of talking sparrows, a magic feather and her own bravery against fearsome guardians of the magic lake, Sumac gets the healing water and brings it to the Inca. But just as things are about to end happily ever after, the fire spirit returns for the Inca's life. Instead, Sumac throws herself upon the fire spirit in the Inca's place, an action that transforms her into a star of hope for the world.

Little Mermaid (video clip April 1, 2012)

The Little Mermaid's sisters (puppets) appear. They have traded their beautiful long hair to the sea witch in exchange for a magical dagger that will kill the prince and help the Little Mermaid return to her sea family.

A Fresh Look at "The Little Mermaid" (school shows April 12 & 13)

A New Spin on a Beloved Classic!






Widener Theatre for Young Audiences (FreshBaked Theatre Company) present The Little Mermaid on Saturday March 31 and Sunday April 1 at 2:00 pm in Widener University’s Alumni Auditorium. Matinees for local schools and homeschooling families take place Thursday April 12 at 10:00 am and Friday April 13 at 1:00 pm. Suggested donation of $2 per person will benefit Bernardine Center Food Pantry in Chester. The play is for ages 6 and up and families. Running time is 50 minutes.

In this unique re-telling of the beloved fairy tale, a boy and a girl join forces to bring the mermaid’s story to life. Director Lisa Eckley Cocchiarale sets the action on a beach, with familiar sights of the summer shore: bright umbrellas, a lifeguard chair, young people at play . . . and a girl on a quest to find love. Enthralled by the unknown world above the sea, the mermaid finds herself falling for a mysterious human. After a vicious storm throws him from his ship, she manages to save him, and finds she cannot live without this man. Taking matters into her own hands, she makes a deal with the evil sea witch. The Little Mermaid will be granted legs in exchange for her lovely voice. If only she can make the man truly love her, then the spell will be broken and she can know real happiness. The production also features music, movement and puppets. This fresh, funny, and moving adaptation, by award-winning writer Mike Kenny, highlights the art of storytelling -- and challenges audiences to experience a familiar tale in a brand new way!

Since 2001, Widener university has produced quality drama for children and families in the greater Chester area. The ensemble seeks to enhance Widener University’s commitment to community outreach with “inventive drama for young minds . . . and the people who nurture them.”

For more information, please contact director Lisa Eckley Cocchiarale at 267-205-0978>