Photo Flash: Children's Theatre Company's Presents THE BIGGEST LITTLE HOUSE IN THE FOREST

Children's Theatre Company presents The Biggest Little House in the Forest, running January 29 through March 10, 2019, based on the book by Djemma Bider, adapted for the stage by Rosanna Staffa, music by Victor Zupanc, and directed by Peter C. Brosius and starring CTC Acting Company member Autumn Ness (TCG Fox Fellowship grantee).

Meet Bernice the butterfly, who discovers a vacant house one day and makes it perfect just for her. Before long, a menagerie of creatures begin moving in one by one. While it's difficult for Bernice, she accommodates...until...she can bear no more. Together they discover when you open your heart, there's always room for more. The audience joins the newfound family of delightful critters to bring it all to life. Get ready for a pillow fight, bubble bath, and dance party as you help them create a very special version of Home, Sweet Home. This production is proudly sponsored by Treat & Company.

"I was given the book The Biggest Little House in the Forest when my kids were little and I kept marveling at their joy and intense attention when we read it together," stated Playwright Rosanna Staffa. "It was their emotional response that made me look at the story more attentively. Each character made a little magic and believed in welcoming others. Even the blunder of the big bear is forgiven and turns into a beautiful act of creativity. There is a sense of fairness to the story, as everybody is welcome, and adversity can be overcome by a generous spirit. Even more important to me, family can also be made by strangers, united by one desire we all experience: to have a place to call home."

"The Biggest Little House in the Forest is designed as a first theatre experience for very young children," states director Peter C. Brosius. "It is a story that is very near and dear to me. The book was given to my family on the birth of our first child, Daria. It's all about the generosity of spirit?-?there is room for all of us if you open your heart. Scarcity is an imposed notion. Beatrice the Butterfly finds a run-down house, cleans it up, and makes it perfect just for herself. Then Millie the Mouse comes by and asks if there is room for her. Initially, there is hesitation by Beatrice. But then she invites her in, and soon they plant a garden together. Then another creature comes and another, and soon they are making pancakes together, playing in bubble baths, and having a party together. And it also shows us that even when Bartholomew the Bear comes and can't quite fit in the little house because he is too big, you can rebuild and make room for everybody. It is a sweet and surprising piece performed with gorgeous puppets in a virtuosic performance by Autumn Ness.

For more information, visit: childrenstheatre.org

Photo Credit: Dan Norman