Troupe lights up stage with stories, lively characters

Amelia Bedelia and other literary pals invaded the Buskirk-Chumley Theater Saturday afternoon, with the help of Story Salad productions. \nStory Salad is a four-person, national children's touring company that presents approximately one-hour musical shows based on children's books and stories. \nAfter an energetic opening song, the performers began acting out stories. The first story, "Jackie and the Bean Sprout," told the story of Jackie, a young girl who loved science, planting seeds for a science experiment.\nThe next story, "Rowdy Rooster," was based on the Aesop fable "The Bird Who Neighed Like a Horse." The story is designed to teach children to be themselves and be happy with who they are.\nA Nicaraguan tale, "El Sombrero Del Tio Nacho," came next, followed by "Anasi and the Moss-Covered Rock," a tale about a mischievous spider who plays tricks on her friends. \nAfter a sing-along called "My Dog and Me," Story Salad presented their feature story, "Amelia Bedelia 4 Mayor." \nAmelia Bedelia, a children's storybook character created by Herman Parish, is a maid that takes everything people tell her to do literally. So, when someone tells her to "run for the Mayor's office," she starts sprinting. Pretty soon though, Amelia has entered the race for mayor, and many adventures follow.\nParents said they liked the way the show brought to life literary characters their children had already come in contact with. \n"I thought it was terrific," said parent Jen Green, who brought her kids to the show.\n"We had read a couple of the books," said Bloomington resident Pamela Mejia. "They were really bringing (the books) to life."\nPeople said they with the acting ability of the Story Salad actors.\n"The actors were wonderful," said parent Annette Beane.\nThrough their acting and dancing, the actors put on a high energy show for the audience really enjoyed.\n"They had a lot of energy," Mejia said. "We were connected to the whole show."\n-- Contact staff writer Jenny Kobiela at jkobiela@indiana.edu.