"Heidi" takes center stage at VPA

Classic children's story comes to life for weekend shows

WASILLA — "Yodel-ay-he-who!" The sound fills the mountain air, from rocky crag to verdant vale.

Imagine the Swiss Alps or a German manor — now imagine no more. Valley Performing Arts, in association with Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union, Lucas Chiropractic, Professional Colorgraphics, and Q99.7 FM, present the children's musical, "Heidi."

"Heidi" opens tonight at Fred and Sara Machetanz Theatre in Wasilla.

It will be performed for three weekends, through April 8. The entertaining musical, from the Johanna Spyri novel, with a book by Ann Pugh and music and lyrics by Betty Utter, plays at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights and at 2 p.m. on Sundays.

"Heidi" tells the story of a young orphan, raised by her aunt, who is brought to the mountains to rejoin her grumpy grandfather.

The irrepressible Heidi wins over the locals, and even her gramps.

Just as soon as she's found a peaceful life in the Alpine mountains, her aunt whisks her away to gainful employment in Germany, where she becomes a companion to Clara, a lame and unhappy girl.

Although Heidi befriends Professor Weberdorf and Sebastian and cheers up Clara, she is unappreciated and persecuted by Fraulein Rottenmeier.

Of course, as in all fairy tale musicals, somehow goodness wins in the end.

Under the direction of Mieke Iveson-Dupre, "Heidi" is filled with a cadre of young and talented actors and seasoned veterans.

Taking the title role is 10-year-old Kaela Rae Larson, fresh from her role as the tower princess in "The Dragon of Iditarod."

Melissa Walter, 17, plays her aunt, Dete. And stepping in as the cantankerous but lovable Grandpa Franz is Barry Perkins.

Rounding out the cast in the Swiss countryside are Kelsey Myrvold (Guscha), Christina Perkins (Barbel) and Travis Heintzman (Peter). Villagers include McKenzie Herring, Sarah Hendricks, Fiona Guiley, Rachele Foster, Eric Hendricks, and Link Larson.

The German manor is occupied by Janet Girard (Fraulein Rottemneier), Hillarie Putnam (Clara), Warren Foster (Professor Weberdorf), Ben Jones (Sebastian), and Ernest McClellan (Heff Sessemann).

A large and experienced creative team has been put together to reassemble the story of "Heidi."

Musical direction and choreography for the production is provided by Nancy Guiley.

Dressing up the cast in variations of dirndls and lederhosen is Genie Siedler.

Dave Putnam, set designer, has performed the near impossible task of shrinking the Swiss countryside and a German manor onto the Machetanz stage.

David Putnam, the scenic artist, is brightening the proceedings with splashes of well-placed colors.

It all comes to incandescent life under the watchful eye of lighting designer Rod Mehrtens. Sound effects are provided by Matt Iveson-Dupre.

Helping backstage in key roles are Mabel Ramsay, stage manager, and Aurora Pease, the assistant to the director.

Tickets for "Heidi" are $12 for adults and $9.50 for youth and seniors.

Tickets are available at all CARRS TIX locations or by calling 1-800-478-7328.