Hope Summer Repertory Theatre (HSRT) continues its 41st season with Joan Cushing’s Diary of a Worm, a Spider, and a Fly, based on the books by Doreen Cronin. This production opens on Monday, June 18 at 10:30 a.m. in the Studio Theatre in the DeWitt Center. Additional performances are at 10:30 a.m. on June 20, 25, 27, 29, July 30, August 3 & 8 and at 1:30 p.m. on August 1, 6, & 10. Tickets are $12 and the shows are general seating.
Diary of a Worm, a Spider, and a Fly is the coolest-ever rock-n-roll romp in a bug’s world, capturing all the droll humor and whimsy of these wildly popular books. This production is a musical experience for all who enjoy cutesy comedy, memorable tunes, animate imagination, and spirited entertainment. Set on the Earth’s surface of the animal world, the crawling characters intermingle despite their diverse personality types; an insecure worm wants to matter, an overly-confident spider wants to grow up, and an energetic fly wants to be a superhero. These itsy-bitsy creatures are “A Lot Like You” because they want to accomplish “Big Things” and discover who they truly are. The moments of laughter and music remind audience members that there is strength in individuality and a greater purpose for all.
The seven-member cast introduces Jesse Swatling-Holcomb (Oakland, CA) as Worm and first time HSRT members Steven Johnson (Rockford, IL) as Spider, Hannah Richter (Denver, CO) as Fly, Alyssa Magarian (Cincinnati, OH) as Mrs. McBee, Christina Ramirez (St. Louis, MO) as Butterfly, Jacob Golliher (Peculiar, MO) as Ant, and Kaija von Websky (Holland, MI) as Flight Instructor/Grandma Spider/Aunt Rita.
Take advantage of Hope Summer Repertory Theatre’s great ticket packages! The Children’s Package is for children under the age of 12, and includes both children’s shows and one main stage musical for $25, a savings $11 off of the individual ticket price. The Adult CPT package includes both children’s shows and one main stage musical for $40, a savings of $16. The Adult CPT Bonus package includes both children’s shows and two main stage shows for $60, a savings of $26.
Packages and individual tickets are now on sale by calling 616-395-7890 or by visiting the DeWitt Theatre (141 East 12th St.) and DeVos Fieldhouse (222 Fairbanks Ave.) ticket offices. Children’s Performance Troupe tickets are $12. The HSRT ticket offices are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Beginning June 16, the ticket office is open on Saturday’s at noon. On performance dates, the DeWitt Ticket Office will be open through intermission of evening performances.
For more information, visit www.hope.edu/hsrt or www.facebook.com/hopesummertheatre.