Lilly comes to the Eccles

Jill Morris

The play “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse” is coming to Logan’s Ellen Eccles Theatre, 43 S. Main St., Feb. 25, and is bringing with it culture, prestige and fun.

“It [the play] will be fun no matter how old you are. Whether you are a parent, going to be a parent or have ever been a kid, you will find something in this show you can relate to,” said Julie Hollist, director of marketing and communications at the Ellen Eccles Theatre.

The play is based on the award-winning children books by Kevin Henkes. The plot involves a young mouse named Lilly, who is given a purple plastic purse by her grandmother to appease Lilly’s jealousy of her new baby brother. When Lilly brings the purse to school causing major distractions, her teacher confiscates the purse spurring a chain of reactions.

“It teaches lessons of life, at a level that children can relate to as well as adults,” Hollist said.

“Lilly’s Plastic Purple Purse” is part of a family series which includes three shows a year, Hollist said. These shows are brought to Logan by the Capital Arts Alliance, a local organization which brings arts and entertainment to the Cache Valley community, she said.

In an attempt to bring culture to children, second graders from all across the valley will be bussed in for a free matinee, Hollist said. The grade level chosen to participate in this is dependent on the individual production, she said.

“It’s something specifically set aside as an educational experience for children to participate in the art,” Hollist said.

In addition to the production, a workshop is presented to teachers designed to explore curriculum options related to the production.

The play is a production of the Kennedy Center Imagination Celebration on tour. The Kennedy Center is a theater group based in Washington, D.C. This is the Kennedy Center’s eighth consecutive season on tour.

With such a prestigious name behind the play, Hollist said, it is expected to be a big hit, providing entertainment to children and adults alike.

“The grandeur of seeing a stage production of a storybook come to life on stage is magical,” Hollist said.

Tickets are available at the door, and the production will only be here one day, so it is suggested patrons get tickets early because of the large demand expected, Hollist said.

Also, all children who pre-purchase a ticket are invited to attend a free drama workshop presented on Feb. 23 at the Ellen Eccles Theatre.

For box office information log on to www.Ellen

Eccles.Theatre.org. For more information on the Kennedy Center production log on to www.kennedy-center.org/programs/family/lilly.