Front Porch Theatre to Present ORPHIE AND THE BOOK OF HEROES This Weekend

Late summer is often a barren wasteland for children's entertainment, but not this year. Front Porch Theatre, an itinerant local theatre company, will offer a free family-friendly musical in the backyard of its directors, Joy Donley and Michael Pearce Donley (Triple Espresso).

Orphie and the Book of Heroes, a new musical by Michael Kooman (music) and Christopher Dimond (book and lyrics), is about an orphan girl in Ancient Greece who takes a harrowing and hilarious journey to the Underworld to save her guardian, Homer.

This is the third time Front Porch Theatre has put up a backyard show, and each time they connect with a non-profit to raise awareness of local and global needs. This year they are connecting with a new non-profit, Stories Café, which uses its food truck profits to fight human trafficking and help children at risk.

"The show's themes are about rescue and girl heroes and telling your story," says director Joy Donley, "so partnering with Stories Café is win-win." The food truck will be available to audiences, offering a variety of healthy food options.

The cast features Suzie Juul (Orphie), Arnie Roos (Homer), Bryn Tanner (Hades/Atlas), Carlos Antonio Saldaña (Hermes/Sophocles/Peisinoe), Austin Lewis (Heracles/Euripides/Agliope), Kenny Martin (Pegasus/Aeschylus/Telly) and Kasey Manche (Persephone). The artistic team is Joy Donley (Director), Michael Pearce Donley (Musical Director/Keyboards), Sherisa Brands (Choreography), Nadine Grant-Daley (Costume Designer) and Nate Farley (Props/Set).

Performances of Orphie and the Book of Heroes run August 18-21 at 6:30pm in the backyard of 1829 Burr Street, Maplewood, 55117. The show is free, but donations are requested. A GoFundMe page has been set up at gofund.me/backyardshow. Audiences should bring lawn chairs or blankets and bug spray. For more information, go to facebook.com/frontporchtheatre.

IF YOU GO:

Front Porch Theatre presents...

Orphie and the Book of Heroes

Book & lyrics by Christopher Dimond, Music by Michael Kooman

Directed by Joy Donley, Musical Direction by Michael Pearce Donley

August 18-21 @ 6:30pm

Free (donations requested)

At 1829 Burr St, Maplewood, MN 55117

More info: www.facebook.com/frontporchtheatre