FANTASY WEAVERS
Original Opera and Theatre for Children and Adults
Presents
Becky Butterfly and the Story of the Wayward Wasp
2 shows! 2:30pm and 4:30pm
A Children’s opera, about the importance of accepting differences in others, and ending bullying.
Original Children’s Fantasy Opera returns to the Rotunda
“Becky Butterfly and the Story of the Wayward Wasp,” a nature fantasy opera especially for children, will be presented by Fantasy Weavers. This show is back by popular demand, having premiered in October of 2011 at The Rotunda. Fantasy Weavers is an opera 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 our children’s shows, we 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 wants 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.
Featured in the cast and crew are Kate Quinn(Becky Butterfly), John Rudolph(Kevin Wasp), Sharon Derstine(Queen Winona the Wasp), and Echo Shi, Alyssa Lehman, Stephen Raytek and Raja Vaidya as the Queen’s court, as well as meadow flowers. Production is by Kate Quinn, Stage Direction is by Dorothy Cardella, and Musical Direction is by Ting Ting Wong. Sets are provided by Dorothy Cardella and Eve Edwards. Costume Designer is Lois Babbit.
More about Becky Butterfly: www.fantasyweavers.org/ChildrensTheatre.html
More about other shows by Fantasy Weavers: www.fantasyweavers.org
Admission:
Adults: $10
Children over 10/ Students/ Seniors: $5
Children under 10: FREE
You can buy advance tickets HERE