Valley Youth Theatre Continues Pooh Tradition
When “A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail” opens Fri., Nov. 30, it not only marks the 17th anniversary of this musical at Valley Youth Theatre, but also signals the beginning of a seasonal stuffed-animal drive for Operation Noah and the pre-launch of VYT’s annual Sponsor-A-Seat campaign.
“A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail” is based on stories by A.A. Milne and adapted by James W. Rodgers, who also wrote “It’s A Wonderful Life.” For 17 of its 24 seasons, VYT has produced this holiday favorite of audiences from grandkids to grandparents.
“‘Pooh’ has become an annual event for many of our cast members too,” said Bobb Cooper, producing artistic director. “Hannah Blaile (this year’s Owl) has been in the show five times, and 10 years ago, Emily (Emma) Stone reprised her role as Eeyore!”
Since 2005, VYT has been a collection point for Operation Noah of Chandler. The organization distributes new stuffed animals to children at participating hospitals, and once a year, children from HopeKids get one too while attending a free performance of “A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail” and trying to forget their life-threatening medical conditions.
“The first time we invited HopeKids was about seven years ago,” said Cooper, “and every year returning cast members tell me how much they’re looking forward to performing for these children.”
New to the theater lobby at this time of year will be the early launch of VYT’s Sponsor-A-Seat campaign. Since 1996, nearly 10,000 at-risk youth have benefited from this program that introduced them to productions like “Annie,” “Cinderella,” “High School Musical,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “Oliver!” “West Side Story” and “The Wiz.” Their visit always includes lunch with the cast and crew.
Some of the social service agencies that have partnered with Sponsor-A-Seat in the past are Big Brothers & Sisters, Boys & Girls Clubs, Crisis Nursery, Florence Crittenton, Phoenix Day Center, Salvation Army, Sunshine Acres and UMOM New Day Centers. Employee volunteers from APS and sponsors like Subway and Fry’s have supported this program, but individual contributions are desperately needed as well.
“A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail” opens Fri., Nov. 30, and runs through Sun., Dec. 23.
Photo: Emily “Emma” Stone as Eeyore and Emily Quinn as Pooh in the 2002 production of A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail at Valley Youth Theatre.
Photo: Valley Youth Theatre
