“BARRY”: A SHOW FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES

05 Dec “BARRY”: A SHOW FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES

The title of their movie: “When Barry Met Sasha.” The offspring of their propitious union: an original new musical, “Barry.”

“Barry” features the songs of the famed children’s entertainer and the words of Sasha Cucciniello, artistic director of the newly formed (from SquidShow and The REP) Telluride Theatre. “Barry,” which takes place Friday, December 9, Sunday, December 11, and Monday, December 12, 5:30 p.m. at the Sheridan Opera House, is presented by The Sheridan Arts Foundation and Telluride Theatre for children of all ages.

Anyone who saw Sasha’s last original production, “CON!” knows a thing or two about her crazy young life. But not the whole story. The imaginative little girl grew up on a diet of milk and cookies – and the music of Barry Louis Polisar. Polisar, whom Tom Lehrer once describe as “A delightfully subversive antidote to Mr. Rogers,” became a hero. The triumph of spice over sugar, anarchy over order.

Barry Louis Polisar has been writing and recording music for children since 1975. His song, “All I Want is You,” is in the opening credits of the film Juno and on the Grammy Award-winning Juno Soundtrack. It also currently airs daily throughout the U.S. on national TV in an ad for the Honda Hybrid. Author, songwriter, storyteller, poet and five-time Parents’ Choice Award winner, Barry has written songs for “Sesame Street “and The Weekly Reader. He has been a regular musical performer on The Learning Channel and the star of an Emmy Award-winning television show for children.

Barry Pollisar has performed at at The White House, The Smithsonian and The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Now his music will fill the stage of the historic Sheridan Opera House because Colin Sullivan, Theatre Theatre’s new executive director, reached out.

After Sasha played Colin Barry’s music, Colin secretly contacted the celebrated performed, seeking permission for Sasha to write a play based on his music. “My Brother Thinks He’s a Banana,” “I’ve Got a Dog” and My Dog’s Name is Cat,” “Giggle Tickle Fiddle Little Wiggle Around,” “Homemade Band” and “My Brother Threw Up on my Stuffed Toy Bunny” are just some of the fun songs featured in the production.  The story follows a boy named Barry through an ordinary day where lots of extraordinary things happen.

The cast of “Barry” includes Rachel Cooke, Patrick Dyar, Megan Heller, Colin Sullivan and Melissa Sumpter. During the rehearsal process, the playwright and cast worked closely with veteran theatre musicians Ethan Hale and Sam Burgess to bring Barry’s songs to life.

“The music is the centerpiece to the play and to have the talent of Ethan and Sam playing live during the shows will make this event even more special,” said Sasha. “And Barry himself has been incredible throughout this process – trusting and generous.”

“Barry” is the inaugural production of Telluride Theatre. To learn about Barry Polisar’s first hit, click the “play” button and listen to our conversation.