Saturday, 19th November at 6:00 p.m. the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium will come alive with an evening of exceptional live theatre performance when a cast of talented youth in the Virgin Islands gets together for a show stopping production and performance in Under the Sea with Anansi.
The public is invited to attend.
This production is based on the children’s book titled Anansi and the Green Sea Turtles by local author, Anika Christopher. Ms. Christopher shared, “I am pleased with this opportunity to bring the pages of my story alive. This picture book presents the perfect balance between educational and entertaining content. Having it produced on stage presents a whole new way for children to engage with this magical story”.
Tickets are $20 per child, $30 per adult and special VIP tickets are $30 per child. The VIP tickets includes preferred seating and a discounted copy of the Anansi and the Green Sea Turtles picture book.
Tickets are being sold at Nook Bookstore and J & C Trading.
She added that a portion of the proceeds from the production will go towards performing arts programmes of the BVI Dance School and the ESHS.
The production features over 40 performers including the BVI Dance School and the Elmore Stoutt High School Senior Theatre Group and live music by Justin Hodge. Dances are choreographed by Sylvanna Charles.
“I’ve been tasked with merging the art of dance and storytelling together for this production. I’m glad that my students not only get the opportunity to perform on stage but also learn about the Cultural Folktales of Brother Anansi,” Ms. Charles shared. Dance styles will range from tap to contemporary to ballet to African dance.
Their prime sponsor is Unite BVI. Dr. Sauda Smith, Executive Director of Unite BVI said, “Unite BVI is proud to support the work of Ms. Christopher whose vision will inspire and empower the youth of the territory to pursue the Arts.”
Book Synopsis
In Anansi and the Green Sea Turtles, a little village has no moonlight anymore. One day, a green sea turtle emerges from the ocean. She has returned to lay her eggs and start the lifecycle again.
But without moonlight to guide them, the newly-hatched turtles will lose their way back to the sea. What will they do? How will the moonlight return to the world and save the baby turtles? Can Anansi the Spider save the day?
Cast/Characters
Anansi the Spider- J’nae Demming
Mother Sea Turtle- Summer Dunkley
Nyame the sky god- Janae Olive
Mmoboro the Stinging Jackspania- Aleandrah Douglas
Villager One- Jaynay Thomas
Villager Two- Kylah Jones
Villager Three- Deshaun Levy
Granny- Kenesha Chesney
Shaniece- Erieana Bobb
Cast/Dancers: Zara Pascoe, Ashiana Mangar, Nia Williams, Jadore Turnbull, Gainelle Mercer, Skyann Smith, Morgan Christopher, J’mena Harrigan, Madison. Johnson, Madison Jardine, Sh’moneh Baird, Ro’elle Baird, Ze’Mirah Martin, De’Nya Winter, Jaemely D’Aguiar, Adaiah Primo, Jannah Kayed, Sofia Baker, Surayya Stevens, Mikenzii Bernard, Reema Rajmangal, Athena Williams, De’Khova Bryan
For more information, please contact the author at 1284-545-3306 or anikachristopher@hotmail.com. Like and follow their Facebook page at Constellate Books to stay updated.