‘Elephant and Piggie’ to be Presented by Clarke

Clarke University brings its musical version of an award-winning children’s book series to the stage with the production of “Elephant and Piggie’s We Are In A Play!” from Thursday, Feb. 25, through Sunday, Feb. 28.

Show times in Terence Donaghoe Hall on the Clarke campus are 7 p.m. Feb. 25-27, and 2 p.m. on Feb. 28. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for senior citizens and $5 for non- Clarke students.

Based on the highly acclaimed, award-winning books by Mo Willems, this delightful vaudevillian children’s musical romp has “bestus” friends Piggie and Gerald dancing and singing their way through plenty of pachydermal peril and swiney suspense! Original music is by Deborah Wicks La Puma.

Clarke students headlining the play include Evan Heil, of Dubuque, as Elephant; Lily Rottinghaus, of Jesup, Iowa, as Piggie; Anna Kluesner, of Epworth, Iowa, as Squirrelle No. 1; Fernanda Carrasco, of Chicago, as Squirrelle No. 2; Amber Mitchell, of Chicago, as Squirrelle No. 3; Riley Beckett, of Antioch, Ill., as Dog; and Jamese Kane, of Chicago, as Penguin. Clarke adjunct instructor of music Jill Klinebriel is the music director and pianist.

Along with the production at Terence Donaghoe Hall, the Clarke cast will also present “Elephant and Piggie” as part of its popular Theatre on Tour in March and April. Clarke received a grant from the city of Dubuque for a spring tour that includes 15 stops.

The shows on the tour, which are free to students and teachers, include:

· March 1 – St. Columbkille Elementary, 10:15 a.m.

· March 8 – Kennedy Elementary, 9:15 a.m.

· March 10 – Audubon Elementary, 9:30 a.m.

· March 12 – Dubuque Museum of Art, 1 p.m.

· March 15 – St. Anthony Elementary, 10 a.m.

· March 17 – Fulton Elementary, 9:45 a.m.

· March 29 – Lincoln Elementary, 9:30 a.m.

· March 31 – Prescott Elementary, 9:15 a.m.

· April 5 – East Dubuque (Ill.) Elementary, 9:15 a.m.

· April 7 – Sageville Elementary, 9:15 a.m.

· April 12 – Key West Early Childhood Center, 9:30 a.m.

· April 19 – Carver Elementary, 9:15 a.m.

· April 21 – Irving Elementary, 10 a.m.

· April 26 – Bryant Elementary, 10:15 a.m.

· April 28 – Marshall Elementary, 9:30 a.m.

This lively and interactive musical introduces live theater and music to young audiences, and, as it is based on the author’s numerous award-winning books for children, stresses the importance of getting children to read.

“In addition to introducing themes of sharing, having compassion, and perpetuating honesty, the project will also foster improved learning and appreciation for the learning that occurs when students respond to a live piece of art and will enrich the cultural skills needed for their future in a diverse nation,” said Joe Klinebriel, Clarke associate professor of Drama and Musical Theatre.

Prior to the elementary school visits, a PDF packet designed to help teachers prepare students for the theater experience will be distributed electronically.

For more information, contact the Clarke University Marketing and Communication Office at (563)588-6318.