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Arts & Entertainment

'Moosical' Adaptation of Children's Book Delights Audiences at Little Lake

Little Lake's Looking Glass Theatre opens its 40th season with "Dooby Dooby Moo," which runs through July 9.

The silo outside Little Lake Theatre bearing its name set the tone for a barnyard "moosical, " which opened the 40th season of Looking Glass—its children’s theater. 

"Squawks," "nays" and "moos" filled the hallway outside the stage doors as performers in character, doubling as ushers, sat patrons young and old for the production of "Dooby Dooby Moo," a musical adaptation by James E. Grote of the famous children’s book written by Doreen Cronin. 

Inside, barrels of hay covered the stage that awaited a sheep named "Ewe,"  a farmer named “Brown,” a singing cow, a dancing pig and a wisecracking duck.

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The show opens when Ewe, a sweet but lost sheep of sorts, played by Lucy Sedor-Franzak, pays a visit to a nearby farm in search of work and a new home after losing her job at the sweater-making factory.

When she arrives, she’s greeted by a boisterous group of barnyard animals: Cow, Lily Smith, Pig, Holly Breuggman and Duck, Peter Rosati.

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Farmer Brown (Troy Buchwalski) hires Ewe to help on the farm. The animals soon read about a talent show at the upcoming Franklin County Fair in a newspaper ad, since Farmer Brown won’t let these savvy barnyard animals get their news on the Internet.  

They‘re determined to participate so they can win first prize—a trampoline. Worried Farmer Brown might catch onto their plot and not approve, so the animals work extra hard on the farm by day and rehearse through the nights.

Farmer Brown, suspecting something is afoot, acquires a detective disguise—a Groucho Marx nose, mustache and glasses, so he can catch the animals in the act. Unsuccessful in his efforts, he gives up trying to catch them in the act. The day of the talent show arrives and the animals take their turns singing, dancing and telling jokes, but each falls flat from nerves and exhaustion.

Just when it seems this mischievous clan won’t get the trampoline they’ve set their sights on, the judges give Ewe a perfect score on the costumes she’s made for her new friends and wins first prize.

Ecstatic with their new toy, each animal takes a turn bouncing on the trampoline only to be caught by Farmer Brown who surprisingly congratulates Ewe on her win and admits, “I’ve always wanted a trampoline.”

Sedor-Franzak delivers a charmingly-sweet performance as Ewe. Highlights include an energetic and comedic performance of "Duck by Rosati," a beautifully sung harmonic ballad “I Remember” by Smith and Breuggman and the powerful portrayal of "Farmer Brown" by Buchwalski.  

The skillfully-played percussions of managing director Rob Fitchett punctuated the musical numbers. The musical, deftly directed and accompanied by, actor/musician Charles Grant Carey, a sophomore at Ithaca College pursuing his bachelor of fine arts in musical theater, is replete with amusingly-clever jokes and pop culture references, catchy music and heartwarming fun for all ages.  

"Dooby Dooby Moo" runs through July 9. Visit Little Lake's website for further show information.

The Looking Glass Theatre will celebrate its 40th season with “The Best Birthday Party Ever!” on Sunday, July 10 from noon until 3 p.m. The event will feature face painting, cookie decorating and performances by the cast of "Dooby Dooby Moo." Birthday admission buttons can be purchased for $5 at the box office after performances. For more information call 724-745-6300.

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