Magical Theatre Company will open its 2019-2020 season with the coming-of-age story “Harriet the Spy,” which opens Friday, Oct. 18 and runs through Sunday, Oct. 27.
Harriet is an obstinate heroine: 11 years old, wry, honest, and clever. She could also use an exercise in kindness – which she reluctantly receives.
Magical Theatre’s Co-Producing Director Dennis O’Connell said, “I love Harriet because she is a real kid: three dimensional with real feelings, real behavior, and real reactions. She’s whip-smart and very clever. She also makes real mistakes and suffers the real consequences.
“The play captures all these elements, and with great humor. It gives the young audience a chance to observe mistakes characters make without having to make those same mistakes themselves. For kids, it’s a great lesson in kindness. Or as they say now, ‘mindful.’”
The play is adapted by Leslie Brady after the award-winning children’s novel written by Louise Fitzhugh and directed by O’Connell. Mallory Dannemiller of Doylestown, seen last season as Fern in Magical Theatre’s production of Charlotte’s Web, portrays the title character of Harriet. Joining her are Magical company members Adam Hoffman, Deb Lemire, and Craig Raymaley, Cuyahoga Falls; Amanda Kidd, Kent; Mark Ross, Akron; and Co-Producing Director Holly Barkdoll, Canton.
They are joined by young actors Demetrie Alexander and Luke Gordon, Barberton; Dane Kuzma, Wooster; Lily Harrington, Marshallville; Kendall Ackerman, Cuyahoga Falls; and Julia Earley, Kendall Sendelbach, Ali Moss, Cosmo Moss, and Tessa Patton, Akron.
Tickets are $15 and $17 per seat and will be available online at www.magicaltheatre.org or by calling (330) 848-3708. All performances are held at the restored Park Theatre 565 W. Tuscarawas Ave., in Barberton.
