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Stellaluna the MusicalOpening Date: June 19, 2018
Closing Date: July 22, 2018 Air date: May 9, 2020 Medium: online Where to watch: Facebook |
Stage Production Notes
Stellaluna the bat, Verdi the snake, and Pinduli the hyena all seek refreshment at a watering hole one hot day, only to find themselves the subjects of a bullying lion's ridicule. By sharing stories about building self-confidence, these three misfit animals find wisdom, peace, and friendship.
Published in 1993, Janell Cannon’s Stellaluna is an award-winning children’s picture book that tells the story of a young fruit bat who is separated from her mother, and is raised by birds. The book was a New York Times Best Seller and in 2014 was inducted into the American Booksellers Association Picture Book Hall of Fame. Other award-winning children’s books by Cannon include Verdi (1997) and Pinduli (2004).
In 2005, Emerald City Theatre co-founder Alyn Cardearelli, who in the 2009-2010 was the most produced playwright for Theatre for Young Audiences in the United States, and composer and music director Steve Goers adapted Stellaluna, Verdi, and Pinduli into a one-act musical for children, Stellaluna and Other Tales.
The musical was first produced at Emerald City Theatre in Chicago in 2005. The production was directed by Shole Milos, with puppet and costume design by L. Nicholas Saubers, and featured Kara Konken (Stellaluna), Libby Lane (Pinduli), and Chuck Quinn.
Chicago Tribune critic Kerry Reid claimed the musical was “a lovely treat for families to savor” and that “this production has all the creative stagecraft of the Disney behemoth [The Lion King], at about half the playing time and probably a sixth of the price.”
The musical was produced in 2016 at the Roanoke Island Historical Association in North Carolina, and a year later at the Rose Theater in Omaha, Nebraska. It has also been produced by amateur groups around the United States.
Stellaluna the Musical is available for licensing through Broadway Licensing.
Stellaluna the bat, Verdi the snake, and Pinduli the hyena all seek refreshment at a watering hole one hot day, only to find themselves the subjects of a bullying lion's ridicule. By sharing stories about building self-confidence, these three misfit animals find wisdom, peace, and friendship.
Published in 1993, Janell Cannon’s Stellaluna is an award-winning children’s picture book that tells the story of a young fruit bat who is separated from her mother, and is raised by birds. The book was a New York Times Best Seller and in 2014 was inducted into the American Booksellers Association Picture Book Hall of Fame. Other award-winning children’s books by Cannon include Verdi (1997) and Pinduli (2004).
In 2005, Emerald City Theatre co-founder Alyn Cardearelli, who in the 2009-2010 was the most produced playwright for Theatre for Young Audiences in the United States, and composer and music director Steve Goers adapted Stellaluna, Verdi, and Pinduli into a one-act musical for children, Stellaluna and Other Tales.
The musical was first produced at Emerald City Theatre in Chicago in 2005. The production was directed by Shole Milos, with puppet and costume design by L. Nicholas Saubers, and featured Kara Konken (Stellaluna), Libby Lane (Pinduli), and Chuck Quinn.
Chicago Tribune critic Kerry Reid claimed the musical was “a lovely treat for families to savor” and that “this production has all the creative stagecraft of the Disney behemoth [The Lion King], at about half the playing time and probably a sixth of the price.”
The musical was produced in 2016 at the Roanoke Island Historical Association in North Carolina, and a year later at the Rose Theater in Omaha, Nebraska. It has also been produced by amateur groups around the United States.
Stellaluna the Musical is available for licensing through Broadway Licensing.
Filmed Production Notes
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis produced Stellaluna the Musical in the summer of 2018. The production ran from June 19 - July 22, and tickets were available for free. An ASL performance was held on July 21.
In response to the COVID-19 shutdown, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis made an archival recording of the production available online via Facebook on May 9, 2020.
The production was added to new streaming service Broadway on Demand, where it was available to view from May 23, 2020.
Stellaluna is currently available to view on Facebook.
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis produced Stellaluna the Musical in the summer of 2018. The production ran from June 19 - July 22, and tickets were available for free. An ASL performance was held on July 21.
In response to the COVID-19 shutdown, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis made an archival recording of the production available online via Facebook on May 9, 2020.
The production was added to new streaming service Broadway on Demand, where it was available to view from May 23, 2020.
Stellaluna is currently available to view on Facebook.
Stellaluna the Musical PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: Lilly Theater, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
Producer: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
Book and Lyrics: Alyn Cardearelli
Music: Steve Goers
Director/Choreographer: Ben Asaykwee
Musical Director: Jeff Bowen
Scenic Design: Troy Trinkle
Costume Design: Jen Skarstedt
Lighting & Sound Design: Brent Winderlich
Stage Manager: Santana Ross
Cast:
Patrick Mullen, Maddie Deeken, Lexy Weixel, Chelsea Leis, Noah Winston, Caleb Wertz
Theatre: Lilly Theater, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
Producer: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
Book and Lyrics: Alyn Cardearelli
Music: Steve Goers
Director/Choreographer: Ben Asaykwee
Musical Director: Jeff Bowen
Scenic Design: Troy Trinkle
Costume Design: Jen Skarstedt
Lighting & Sound Design: Brent Winderlich
Stage Manager: Santana Ross
Cast:
Patrick Mullen, Maddie Deeken, Lexy Weixel, Chelsea Leis, Noah Winston, Caleb Wertz
Sources
Articles
Websites
- Rosemary Hawkins, “ABA Announces 2014 Indies Choice and E.B. White Read-Aloud Award Winners,” American Booksellers Association (April 15, 2014)
- Kerry Reid, “Steep pulls off `Catch-22'; `Stellaluna' a lively staging,” Chicago Tribune (Oct 14, 2005)
Websites
- Broadway Licensing, “Stellaluna,” Accessed via: https://broadwaylicensing.com/shows/musicals/stellaluna/
- Facebook, “Events: Stellaluna and Other Tales,” Accessed via: https://www.facebook.com/events/1912892972101953/
- Fiction Database, “Award-winning Books by Janell Cannon,” Accessed via: https://www.fictiondb.com/author/janell-cannon~book-awards~70959.htm
Written by Luisa Lyons (May, 2020)