The annual Children's Theater Tour begins this Saturday, February 23 with a free public show of the timeless fable "Stone Soup"at Iconoclast Books on Sun Valley Road at 2:00pm. The 40 minute musical play is especially written for young children, but their parents and other adults also find the humor, music and important message of the story appealing and heart-warming. This is the sixth year that St. Thomas Playhouse, a community performing arts organization, has presented this program to virtually all of the Wood River Valley's preschools, elementary schools and at various public venues. This special version of "Stone Soup" has been adapted by Andrew Alburger who also wrote four delightful songs. The small troupe of actors plays several different roles in costumes and uses many fun props. Andrew appears in the show along with Cherie Kessler, Sara Gorby and Richard Rush. The story takes place in a small mountain town during a time of drought and hunger. Due to the lack of food, the villagers are fearful and have hoarded all their food. A peddler arrives and cleverly teaches them the value of sharing by tricking each person to contribute an ingredient to his Stone Soup. Each villager's small contribution makes a wonderful large meal that feeds their bodies and also their souls as they realize the joy of community sharing and friendship. There will be three more public shows: Saturday, March 2 at the Community Library in Ketchum at 10:00am; Wednesday, March 6, 10:30am at the Hailey Public Library; and Saturday, March 9, 2:00pm at the Hailey Public Library. For the Hailey shows, please call and reserve a space. Remember--these shows are absolutely free and are a wonderful introduction to live theater for young children. Call Cherie or Sara for more info 726-5349.
