Children’s show “Oliviatown,” which opens at the Springer Opera House Friday, explores the importance of imagination and the value of friendship.
Each morning, Olivia creates a colorful sidewalk chalk world, but each evening rain washes it away. This play is based on the children’s book written by Columbus musician Allen Levi and illustrated by Garry Pound. Springer Theatre Academy director Ron Anderson adapted it for the stage.
The Springer first produced this play in 2006 and it was so popular they did it again in 2007.
Anderson, who directs the play, Lisa Cesnik and James Decker have enjoyed working with this year’s cast of child actors. Cesnik and Decker play the adult roles of Libby and Cpl. Harris.
Cesnik, who works closely with the young actresses who play Olivia, is impressed with her cast mates.
“They are all great,” she said. “As a grown-up actor working in this situation, it’s different every time. It’s exciting and rewarding.”
Decker plays the role of the homeless man, Vietnam veteran Cpl. Harris. “It’s my favorite role of all time,” he said.
This show has a double cast, meaning each character has two actors who can play the role. Because the shows are performed twice a day for two weeks and involve children actors, a double cast is necessary for scheduling. The young actors are assigned to either a blue or a red team which signifies which shows they will be performing.
Marisa Nunez, who is playing Smudge on the Blue Team, played Olivia in 2007, so she’s familiar with the play.
“The first night, during the read-through I remembered all the lines,” she said.
During that first read-through, Anderson read the book to the actors and since most of the cast members have seen the show before, they were well-prepared before rehearsals even started.
“When I saw it, I thought it was good,” said Ruth Ann Hasty, who is playing Olivia on the Blue Team.
During breaks at rehearsals, the cast can often be seen outside Foley Hall, drawing on the sidewalk. During the shows, those drawings are projected on stage as Olivia’s creations.
Anderson enjoys directing plays that feature “heroic” children. He said Olivia is a normal child, whose heroism comes from the fact that “she is not afraid to talk to a homeless person. She is not afraid to talk to Libby. She is not afraid to let it (her sidewalk art) go.”
Mrs. Dots, Hinky and Smudge are like the Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow and the Tinman in “The Wizard of Oz,” Anderson said. “They are not imaginary. They are real for Olivia.”
One of the themes in the play is that many adults have forgotten what it was like to be a child.
Recent Columbus State University Schwob School of Music graduate Joseph Brewer will compose the music, based on Levi’s original “Olivatown.”
The play is aimed for children in the lower to middle elementary grades.
“It’s a perfect play for second and third graders,” Anderson said. And though it’s a children’s show, Anderson thinks it’s a wonderful show for adults, too.
CAST LIST
Libby: Lisa Cesnik is producing artistic director of Rose of Athens Theatre in Athens. Directing credits include “The Shape of Things,” “ As You Like It,” “Rumors” and “Lysistrata.” Her Springer Opera House directing credits include “The Complete History of America (abridged),” “The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged),” “Crimes of the Heart,” “Moonlight and Magnolias,” “The Odd Couple,” “Tartuffe” and “Winnie The Pooh,” and this season, she will direct “Barefoot in the Park.” She has acted in “Romeo and Juliet,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Father of the Bride” and “On Golden Pond” at the Springer.
Cpl. Harris: James Decker has been in “Romeo and Juliet,” “Camelot” and “Macbeth” at the Springer. Heteaches art at Midland Middle School and enjoys all things theatrical. When he’s not onstage, James is often working backstage: You may have heard or seen Springer performers because of James’ work with body mics or spotlights. James is a CSU theater alumnus.
RED TEAM
Olivia: Julia Harbison is a fifth grader at Britt David Magnet Academy and enjoys making up new things such as composing pieces for piano, writing and drawing.
Hinky: Blake Lowry is an 11th grader at Northside High School. He has been a Springer Theater Academy student for 12 years and appeared in “Sideways Stories from Wayside School.” He also volunteers at the Springer and is a stilt walker. He is also playing Murphy.
Smudge: Rachel Mullahy is a senior at Brookstone School and has been a student at the Springer Theater Academy for eight years. She appeared in “The Music Man,” “The Yellow Boat,” “Seussical the Musical” and “Man of La Mancha” at Brookstone School and in “Oliviatown” as Olivia and “Amazing Grace” at the Springer. She is also playing Theo.
Mrs. Dots: Rebecca Ames is a homeschooled 10th grader. She has been in “The Wizard of Oz,” “A Christmas Carol” and “The King and I” at the Springer. She and her sister used to draw flowers and fancy-looking letters with sidewalk chalk on their carport. She is also playing Lilly.
BLUE TEAM
Olivia: Ruth Anne Hasty a sixth grader at Brookstone School. She appeared at the Springer in “The Wizard of Oz” and “The Music Man” at Brookstone. She’s been a Springer Theater Academy student for three years. She likes that Olivia teaches us to think like a child sometimes and enjoy life without worrying about stuff.
Hinky: Winston Walker is a senior at Harris County High School. He has appeared in “Dearly Departed,” “Frankenstein,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “1940s Radio Hour,” “Noises Off” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Harris County High and in “Little Shop of Horrors” at Harris County Community Theatre. He has studied with the Springer Theater Academy for 13 years. He is also playing Murphy.
Smudge: Marisa Nunez is a junior at St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School. She appeared in “Winnie the Pooh,” “Oliviatown” as Olivia and “Amazing Grace” with the Springer Children’s Theater and Tiny Tim in the Springer’s production of “A Christmas Carol.” She is also playing Theo.
Mrs. Dots: Taylor Ann Yaughn has been attending the Springer Academy since 2000. She is an 11th grader at Harris County High School. She’s appeared in “Dearly Departed,” “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Frankenstein” at Harris County High. Taylor performed in the Springer’s productions of “James and the Giant Peach” and “The King and I.” She is also playing Lilly.
