“Becky Butterfly and the Story of the Wayward Wasp,” a nature fantasy musical especially for children, will be presented by Fantasy Weavers. Fantasy Weavers is a theatre company whose mission is to reach out to the community in Philadelphia and other areas of the US, to bring a message of positivity through music and drama. Through their children’s shows, they hope to reach the underprivileged, at-risk children in poor neighborhoods with schools that do not have art, nor the funding for it. Both the book and the music of “Becky Butterfly” were written by Kate Quinn, President of Fantasy Weavers.
Kate Quinn conceived and wrote the story of Becky Butterfly at age 6. She was a very imaginative and inventive child who interacted with fantasy playmates, creating then in her head as she fabricated her stories. Kate had brought her childhood imaginings to life in this wonderful manifestation of her childhood wonderland. Be prepared for color, lights, and music! An effervescent and magical experience for the whole family!
“Becky Butterfly and the Story of the Wayward Wasp,” focuses on Becky the Butterfly who, while bullied by a wasp named Kevin, soon realizes this wasp is a fluke of nature, born a “male worker wasp.” This is a very strange turn of events, because in the insect world, “worker wasps” are always female, and “drone wasps” are always male. However, Kevin Wasp finds himself with a stinger, a gift that no drone has ever been given. He also has the ability to fly large distances and forage in meadows for nectar….activities usually reserved for “garden variety” female workers. Because Kevin is so different in this sense, no worker or drone want to associate with him.
They ostracize him and bully him terribly. Winona, the “Queen Wasp,” who also finds Kevin strange, makes very little attempt to stop the other wasps from attacking him. Enter Becky Butterfly, who bravely decides to befriend Kevin because she feels for him and his plight. She confronts Winona, the Queen, asking her to stop letting the other wasps bully Kevin.
The production will take place on Sunday, October 16th, at 3pm. The venue will be the Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA. Admission is $7.00 per adult, $5.00 for students, seniors and children over 10. Children under 10 get in for free. Reservations can be made by calling 610-389-9572, Fantasy Weavers’ main number. Or, you may just show up at the door.
Featured in the cast and crew are, among others, Kate Quinn(Becky Butterfly), John Rudolph(Kevin Wasp), Penni Gould(Queen Winona the Wasp), and Eve Edwards, Alyssa Lehman, Dennis Kalup and Raja Vaidya as the Queen’s court, as well as meadow flowers. Production is by Kate Quinn, Directorship is by Dorothy Cardella, and Musical Direction is by Barbara Browne. Sets are provided by Dorothy Cardella and Eve Edwards,who is also Assistant to the Stage Director. Costume Designer is Lois Babbit.
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