The second production of this summer’s Mad Ducking Theatre opens today at 11 a.m. on the lawn in front of the Robinson Theatre at Villard Hall. University students will partake in “Bunnicula,” a play based on the popular children’s book written by Deborah and James Howe.
Playwright Jon Klein has recently adapted this children’s book into a piece of children’s theatre.
Adults and children alike have attended the theatrics of the University’s Mad Duckling Theatre for five years now.
“Bunnicula” is the tale of a vampire bunny that disrupts the Monroe household, composed of Mr. Monroe, his two children, a cat and a dog, Harold, who narrates the story. The cat, suspicious of Bunnicula, embarks on humorous crusade to warn the Monroe family of the vegetable-juice sucking bunny.
“Chester is trying to sort of foil the bunny’s plan and Harold is kind of getting in the way and none of the Monroes understand what’s going on here,” Co-Artistic Director James Engberg said about the play’s premise.
This is Engberg’s first year with the Mad Duckling Theatre and he has noticed a great amount of energy and enthusiasm from the actors and others working on “Bunnicula.”
“It seems to me as though when we’re doing a production for kids there’s a lot more emphasis on having fun and having a good time producing theatre,” he said.
The administrative staff, directors, designers, cast technicians and actors are all University students, said Joseph Gilig, the University’s theatre development director.
This year the acting company for “Bunnicula” includes current and recent University students Joe Doyle as Harold; Melissa Walther as Chester and Sarah Shull as Bunnicula. The production includes musical director and composer Ben Wheeler, set designer Amy Davis and costume designer Tamara Langman.
The theatre aims for “Bunnicula” to be a play that both adults and children can enjoy. Engberg admits to comparing it to the movie “Finding Nemo” because there are parts of the play that only adults will understand or find humorous. Children, meanwhile, will appreciate a play that is not condescending to them, Engberg said.
“I think that a really good thing about this show is that it doesn’t talk down to kids at all. It’s goofy and it’s funny but there’s still a really coherent story to watch and enjoy,” he said.
“Bunnicula” will run August 1-5 and August 8-12 at 11:00 a.m. Tickets are $5 each and groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets for $4 each. To reserve group tickets, call the Mad Ducking Box Office at (541) 346-4192. Free parking is available in the University lot at East 11th and Kincaid Street with a short term parking pass available from the ticket office on performance days.
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