Free to be you and me
Play addresses breakdown of social norms, teaching kids OK to be different
Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: News
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The play will be presented to the public at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3, 4 and 5, with a 2 p.m matinee on Dec. 5. Matinee shows will be performed for local elementary school children Dec. 2 and 3. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for Grand View students and free for children.
"Free to Be…You and Me," is a children's musical based on a 1970s record album and children's book of the same name created by Marlo Thomas and Friends. It is about four children growing up together, being friends, learning their differences and finding that people don't really fit into stereotypes.
Sarah Jacobs, photography/journalism freshman and member of the ensemble, said, "There's a lot of humor that the children will understand, and there's a bit of adult humor, too. It's something that anyone can benefit from because it's just reaffirming the fact that people should be accepted for who they are."
Jacobs said the cast is made up of four main cast members and four ensemble members.
Keyla Spahr, theatre/music sophomore, plays Janet, a tomboy who plays with fire trucks. Dustin Strawn, biology/theatre sophomore, plays William, Janet's best friend, who is sensitive and plays with dolls. Megan Hensley, theatre sophomore, plays Vickie, who is new to the neighborhood and believes in a 'ladies first' policy. KC Narayan, nursing senior, plays Victor, who likes to play sports and doesn't understand William's sensitivity.
The ensemble, played by Jacobs, Nick Hivley, business senior, Rachel Park, English sophomore, and Brendan Peterson, secondary education senior, join in the songs and play extra characters such as nurses, babies, tigers and other children.
"I love all the characters that are in it because they all have their quirks and their qualities that make them loveable. It's hard to separate them from one another," Jacobs said.
Michael Tallman, theatre/broadcasting sophomore and assistant stage manager, said each of the songs covers a different theme. Carl Reiner and Shel Silverstein are among the many songwriters.
"The songs are very endearing and very cute. They're a little bit catchy, but I think the songs are definitely one of the highlights of the show because they are very catchy and they are very well done because they've gotten a lot of input from very good writers," Tallman said.
Jacobs said the only change that has been made is updating the costumes. The script and songs will remain the same.
"This play was chosen because it has a universal message that even today is very relevant," Tallman said. "It isn't something that is talked about a whole bunch and so [it was chosen] just to raise that awareness that it is OK to be who you are and to not feel weird."
Jacobs said that the play isn't just for kids. It's heartwarming and funny and something adults and students will enjoy.
It's a great play," Isaac Schwab, mass communication sophomore and sound board operator, said. "It's a great way to see other students involved in Grand View activities."
Tallman said, "Come into it with an open mind and an open heart and just be ready to have a lot of fun with it."
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