A Beary Special Event: Pooh and Pals Hit the Scenic Drive!
By: Forgottonia Times™ Report
Cast of this year's "Winnie the Pooh"
As the Spoon River Scenic Drive kicks off its first weekend, the Historic Ellisville Opera House will be buzzing with excitement, thanks to a charming production of Winnie the Pooh. Directed by Halee Hendel and JoEllen Pensinger, the play will be performed by the Junior Rascals, a group of talented young actors from 1st to 8th grade, many of whom are new to the stage this year. With a median age of just nine years old, this cast promises to deliver a heartwarming performance.
Showtimes are set for October 4th and 5th at 7:00 p.m., with a special Sunday matinee on October 6th at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the door for $12 for adults and $6 for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Doors will open 45 minutes before each show, giving attendees plenty of time to settle in and purchase concessions, including locally produced raw honey—an especially sweet nod to the beloved bear!
This year, the decision to stage Winnie the Pooh felt right for a cast on the younger side. “Everyone knows and loves Winnie the Pooh and his pals,” says Paula Helle, a dedicated director with the Ellisville Opera House who has devoted much of her time to the performances over the years and is helping to oversee this one. “It’s a simpler show, and we were confident our younger actors could handle it.” After the ambitious production of Matilda last year, Winnie the Pooh offers a refreshing, familiar tale that’s sure to warm the hearts of audiences.
The Junior Rascals have been a fixture of the Scenic Drive since 2004. Originally performing short afternoon shows, they’ve grown into a full-fledged evening production. “People were making the effort to drive to Ellisville to see the kids perform,” Helle explained. Now, a more substantial program on the first weekend of the Scenic Drive has become a cherished tradition.
Helle shares that in today’s cynical times, this wholesome production offers a breath of fresh air. “It’s just so nice and so authentic to revisit the sweetness and simplicity of a childhood friend like Winnie the Pooh. Anyone wanting to replenish their hope for humanity will leave with a smile on their face and a tune in their heart.”
For a delightful escape during your Scenic Drive, be sure to stop by the Ellisville Opera House and enjoy the Junior Rascals’ production of Winnie the Pooh! Dont forget to grab your own jar of honey at the concession stand before everyone’s favorite bear gobbles them down!