DIARY OF A WORM, A SPIDER, AND A FLY Comes to Wharton Center, 2/9

Growing up is never easy, especially when you're the size of a bottle cap! That's what Worrying Worm, Sassy Spider, and Fearless Fly learn as they tackle the big world around them in the coming-of-age musical, DIARY OF A WORM, A SPIDER AND A FLY, coming to Wharton Center on February 9, 2014. Tickets are $12, plus applicable fees, and are available online at whartoncenter.com, at the Auto-Owners Insurance Ticket Office, or by calling 1-800-WHARTON.

Based on the Diary of a Worm series by best-selling author Doreen Cronin and illustrated by the award- winning Harry Bliss, this tale covers the many facets of growing up. Spider waits anxiously to shed his skin, Worm feels self-conscious and embarrassed for having no legs, and Fly can hardly get any schoolwork done because her 327 Brothers and Sisters are driving her crazy. Presented by the Omaha Theatre Company, this funny coming-of-age musical will have the whole family cheering on the quirky crawlers as they face challenges and milestones common to us all.

"Diary of a Worm teaches us about tolerance, personal growth, and understanding what makes us unique," said Director Rob Urbinati. "It deals with a lot of big questions, like: when do I start acting like an adult? What I am going to be when I grow up? But it also gives kids a chance to laugh and make light of things that we all struggle with when we're young."

DIARY OF A WORM, A SPIDER AND A FLY utilizes multiple musical outlets to bring their insect kingdom to life, including rap, jazz, doo-wop, and show tunes. Joan Cushing, the creative mastermind behind such hits as Junie B. Jones and A Little Monkey Business and Heidi, brings these charismatic bugs to life through her inventive writing and composition. DIARY OF A WORM, A SPIDER AND A FLY brings all the big emotions of childhood to an insect-sized world.

The performance is set for Sunday, February 9, 2014 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Cobb Great Hall. Admission: $12; Plus applicable fees. Tickets online a whartoncenter.com or by calling 517.432.2000 or 1.800.WHARTON.