‘Cookie Bush’ A Tuneful Morality Tale

This isn’t just another children’s musical; this is an event.

It’s the premiere production of “Where the Cookie Bush Grows,” written and composed by local resident Bill Cahill, tonight at 8 at the Valley Repertory Theatre.

Cahill, a music teacher in the Central Valley schools for 25 years, has crafted a song-filled morality tale about friends helping friends.

Cahill wrote this musical fantasy under the sponsorship of the US West Foundation. It features 20 young performers from area schools and three adult performers. Cahill is also the director.

Cahill’s story centers around Roberta, an 11-year-old who has fallen out of a tree and hurt her back. She is afraid to even try to walk because she remembers the intense pain.

But she gets some help from a group of very unusual “friends”: her collection of dolls. In a dream sequence, the dolls come alive and develop a plan to give Roberta the courage to walk, run and play again.

This all comes true with the help of a magical cookie bush, some dancing fairies, and four outrageous fantasy characters.

Tickets for tonight’s performance will be $4, available by calling 927-6878.

The regular run begins Saturday and will be presented in rotation with a children’s participation show, “King Midas and the Golden Touch,” based on the fable. Tickets for either show are $2.50, available at the door.

“Where the Cookie Bush Grows” continues on Saturday and June 10 and 17 at 1 p.m. and Sunday and June 11 and 18 at 3 p.m.

“King Midas” runs Saturday and June 10 and 17 at 3 p.m. and Sunday and June 11 and 18 at 1 p.m.

The Valley Repertory Theatre is located at the southwest corner of Sprague and Pines, in the Valley.

After “Where the Cookie Bush Grows” completes its initial run at the Valley Rep, the show will go on to tour elementary schools during the coming school year.

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