Surrey Youth Theatre Company (SYTCO) artistic director Susan Pendleton hopes audiences are ready to think pink when her troupe presents Pinkalicious! The Musical this weekend.
"It's a really fun show for the three- to seven-year-old crowd," said Pendleton, who adds that at only one hour long, without intermission, it's a perfect family- friendly treat that will keep audience members of all ages entertained without overly stretching attention spans.
The show comes to the Wheelhouse Theatre at Earl Marriott Secondary (15751 16 Ave.) on Saturday, May 31 at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Sunday, June 1 at 2 p.m.
Based on the popular book by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann, the show tells the story of a girl who can't stop eating pink cupcakes – and turns pink from head to toes.
"It's been the hit book for that age group for the last three years, although I'd never heard of it," Pendleton said, noting the show has built-in audience appea, and that this is only the fourth time the musical has been produced in Canada and is usually acted by adults rather than children.
"It's a cute little story about a girl who keeps sneaking pink cupcakes and starts to turn pink. Her parents take her to the doctor who tells her she has to eat more green food. And she's so brightly coloured that the birds and bees and butterflies all think she's a flower."
But Pinkalicious doesn't heed the advice until she sneaks one more cupcake, and wakes up red the next morning.
Heading the cast is Annika Ferronato as Pinkalicious.
"Our lead is only eight years old – and I'm not having to giver her too much direction, because I don't want her to change – she's a real little spitfire," Pendleton said.
The show also provides a great opportunity for the rest of the keen cast of 10, Pendleton added.
Aside from Pinkalicious' parents, played by Cassandra Strain and Anna Haider (both the eldest at age 15), the young players are all newcomers to SYTCO this year.
"I'm really letting them run with this, but it's also a good exercise – it has to be fast paced, but they can't rush it," she said.
Also featured are Adam Scott as Peter, Hunter Hart as Bumblebee and Vanessa Ferronato and Samantha Palatinus as cupcakes.
In addition to the shows, tickets are also available for a special 'pink party' following the 11:30 a.m. show on Saturday.
For tickets, visit www.brownpapertickets.com