Zagazoo at Edison Theatre
Mammoth Lakes Repertory Theatre announces that the 2013 Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) production will feature the U.S. Premiere of “Zagazoo,” sponsored by Paul and Kathleen Rudder, and based on the children’s story of the same name. Written by Quentin Blake and adapted for the stage by Mike Kenny, the innovative production is being directed by Park Cofield, an accomplished LA director and puppeteer.
In the story, one day a package arrives for George and Bella. Opening it, the seemingly clueless duo discovers a little pink creature named Zagazoo. The couple is thrilled and spends happy days throwing Zagazoo from one to the other. Then one day the parents awaken to find that Zagazoo has morphed into a screeching baby vulture. Each day Zagazoo continues to change into a new creature, including a mud-tracking warthog, a fire-breathing dragon and a wailing bat. Zagazoo then turns into a hairy creature that gets bigger and hairier and stranger each day. He finally turns into a young man with perfect manners who falls in love with a young woman. When Zagazoo and his beloved go to tell his parents that they wish to marry, they find that George and Bella have changed into a pair of pelicans. Isn’t life amazing!
Cofield is creating the original puppets for the show based on the designs in Blake’s book. To learn more about Cofield and his process for creating the puppets and directing the show, visit his blog at http://parkcofield.weebly.com/
Through the generous contributions of a number of donors, including Paul and Kathleen Rudder and Mammoth Lakes Elementary School’s PTO, “Zagazoo” will be seen by 800 elementary school children in Mono and Inyo counties at no charge. There is one public performance on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 2 p.m. at the Edison Theatre. Tickets are $12 for Adults, $10 for children and may be purchased anytime at www.EdisonTheatre.org.
Shira Dubrovner, Artistic Director at the Edison Theatre introduced the first local TYA production in 2008 with “Priscilla’s Perfect Day.”
“We are very excited to be able to include a Theatre for Young Audiences production in our theatrical season schedule,” commented Dubrovner. “We have a very talented cast of professionals bringing the story to life in Mammoth, led by Park Cofield. Our ability to include this important programming component in our schedule—educating future audiences, and continue it—is due wholly to contributions to those who realize the importance of the arts in the lives of children and adults.”
