'Flat Stanley' Takes Audiences On Journey Around The World

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An adaption from a popular children’s book will soon hit the stage at Elm Street Cultural Arts Village.

The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley, adapted from the children’s book written by Jeff Brown, features infectious songs and worldwide adventure to capture the imagination of young and old audience members alike.

The show runs one weekend only, Nov. 13-15 in the auditorium at the Chambers at City Center. Start times are 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13 and 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 and Sunday, Nov. 15.

Early in the week, many students will be able to see the show via school field trips, but on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the show is open to the public.

So, what is this adventure about? Stanley Lambchop is an ordinary boy with an ordinary family. In fact, he is a bit bored with his oh-so-very ordinary life. When an accident leaves Stanley flat -- REALLY flat, -- he uses it as an opportunity to escape from his “boring” and “hum drum” life by mailing himself around the world.

On this trip, he encounters many interesting people and gets involved in a lot of situations.

“The show really goes after adventure, which is a positive because there are easy tie-ins for classes, but it also makes it filled with energy and fun,” Elm Street Education Manager Siobhan Brumbelow said.

Despite his great adventures, Stanley becomes a bit homesick and soon realizes that “there’s no place like home.”

The show is directed by Andrew Berardi, who most recently directed Rapunzel. The show has eight actors, who each play a number of roles.

“Because of the many countries that Stanley visits, the actors get a chance to use different accents and perform a variety of musical and dance styles,” Berardi said. “It runs the gamut from Vaudeville, to Latin, tap and surf music. It’s a lot of fun.”

Some familiar faces will be in the show, particularly from a wide variety of shows like Abbey Moss and Erin Walsh (Dinosaurs before Dark) and Carlye McLaughlin (Young Frankenstein, Wedding Singer) but will also have so new faces on the stage like Flat Stanley himself, Adam Parbhoo, who has been involved with Elm Street, but usually behind the scenes.

Though the show appeals to young people and ties in with their geography lessons, this is not just a kid’s show.

“Between the shows contemporary references and its timeless themes of restlessness and re-discovery of the joys of home, there is something here for all ages,” Berardi added.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. The Chambers are located at 8534 Main Street in downtown Woodstock.

For tickets, visit elmstreetarts.org or call 678-494-4251.

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Photo 1: (Left to Right Ansley Melnick, Erin Walsh, Carson Newsome, Abbey Moss, Amanda Hurst, Carlye McLoughlin, Adam Parbhoo, Andrew Berdardi, and Caleb Joyner) The cast makes the final pose in rehearsal for this Flat Stanley Musica
Photo 2: Left to Right Andrew Berdardi, Adam Parbhoo, and Caleb Joyner practice some of the dance routines for the wild musical, traveling all over the world.
Photo 3: Adam Parbhoo is no stranger to the stage, but it is usually behind the scenes, however for this show he will be playing the title role.
Photo credits: JAM Session Photography (Jillian Melko)