PINKALICIOUS: THE MUSICAL Takes the Stage at SCERA 2/9-27

With a name like Pinkalicious Pinkerton, it's not surprising that this particular little girl would like the color pink. But "like" is the incorrect word. Having a passion for pink is more like it, and her adoration for all things pink gets her into all sorts of colorful trouble in the charming Theatre for Young Audiences production playing at the SCERA Center for the Arts beginning Feb. 9-27.

Veteran director Jerry Elison says "Pinkalicious" moves at a hundred miles an hour and the short one-hour musical is perfect to keep the attention of children and their parents, and a great way to introduce kids to the magic of live theatre.

Based on the popular children's book by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann, it is the first of a series of books creatively based on colors. As a musical, it features more than a dozen songs, each charming and funny, including "Pinktastic," "Just One More," "Cupcake Dream," "Pinkititis," "I Got The Pink Blues," "Buzz Off," "The Power of Antioxidants," "Pink-A-Boo" and more.

The musical plays Feb. 9-27, with public shows on Monday and Friday evenings @ 7:00pm at the SCERA Center for the Arts, 745 South State, Orem. Reserved-seat tickets are $6 for adults, and $4 for children (age 3-11) and seniors (age 65+). Tickets are available at www.scera.org, by calling (801) 225-ARTS, or in person at the SCERA Center, open 10am-6pm weekdays and Saturdays from 12Noon-6pm. The all-adult cast also performs weekday morning matinees for school and large groups, which are sold out.

Julie Nevin is playing Pinkalicious, a real change for her, because she is typically Elison's stage manager or can be found directing shows herself - she recently directed "Miss Nelson Is Missing" and Dr. Seuss' "The Cat in the Hat," both critically-acclaimed Theatre for Young Audiences shows at SCERA.

"With a degree in Theatre, Julie has theatre in her blood, and while she is a top-notch performer, she usually stays on the production side. But we really wanted her to play this role, and she is just perfect," Elison says. "I wanted to cast her because, in my mind, she looks just like Pinkalicious should look and has a real playfulness."

Polly Dunn, who plays Mrs. Pinkerton, was also called upon to help with choreography. Dunn spent five years directing productions at Salem Hills High School and created a popular Mormon pageant in Kirtland, Ohio, when she lived in the Midwest. Also taking lead roles are Garrett Smit as Mr. Pinkerton; Josh Taylor is the brother, Peter; and Paige Erickson is Dr. Wink.

Members of the ensemble include Rachael Gibson, Felesha Cairo and Audrey Patten, who play cupcakes, butterflies, bees and birds.

"This is a delicious show," Elison says. "Pinkalicious is single-minded when it comes to pink and she eats so many pink cupcakes that she even turns pink from head to toe. And pity her poor brother who sings about having the pink blues - eventually he turns pink, too. This show isn't just for little girls, though, as young boys will relate to Peter."

As the story progresses, Dr. Wink and her parents decide eating green food might be the only way to reverse the curse of pinkititis, and she learns the value of eating vegetables. And all ends well for everyone concerned.

Nat Reed has designed the set, and Deborah Bowman and Kelsey Seaver have immersed themselves in pink fabrics and notions as costumers. Kelsey Thacker is music director and Danielle Berry is the stage manager.

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