LBCC 37th Annual Children’s Theater Production of “Wiley and the Hairy Man”

The theater department at Linn-Benton Community College will present its 37th Annual Children’s Theater production of the shadow puppet play Wiley and the Hairy Man at the LBCC Russell Tripp Performance Center, 6500 Pacific Blvd. SW, Albany.

Wiley and the Hairy Man is an American Southern folk tale that originated as an oral tradition amongst African slaves. The play, adapted by by Suzan Zeder and directed by LBCC Theater Director Dan stone, is about a young boy, Wiley, who must go out into the swamp to build a hound house for his dog, but is afraid that the Hairy Man is lurking nearby. Wiley has to learn how to overcome his problems and his fear.

See a behind the scenes "sneak peak" of the play: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcRup_0il10

This production is unlike any other produced at LBCC, with a movie-sized screen that stretches the length of the stage. Using the cultural art form of shadow puppetry, characters come to life in this American tale told from the perspective of the rich culture of the south.

School performances of the play are scheduled to accommodate elementary school students and their teachers, with two shows per day at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the months of February and March.

School performances begin Tuesday, Feb. 7 and run through March 1. School rate is $3 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the LBCC Theater Box Office at 541-917-4531 at theater@linnbenton.edu.Discounted rates apply.

Two public performances will be held on Saturday, Feb. 18 and Saturday, Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. Tickets for public performances are $9 for adults, $7 for students and seniors aged 60 and over, and $5 for children under 18 when accompanied by an adult.

A family package rate of $25 for two adults and up to four children is available through the theater box office in person or by phone. Family packages are not available for online ticket purchases.

Tickets go on sale Wednesday, Feb. 1 and can be purchased online at www.linnbenton.edu/go/tickets for no fee, at the Russell Tripp Performance Center Box Office, and at the door beginning two hours prior to performance. Box Office hours are Tuesday-Thursday, 8-10 a.m. and 2-4 p.m.

For more information, contact the LBCC theater box office at 541-917-4531. For special needs and accommodations, contact the Office of Disability Services at 541‑917‑4690 or via Oregon Relay TDD at 1‑800‑735‑2900 at least 72 hours in advance of this event.

SIDE NOTE:

LBCC’s theater department has brought quality theater to young people and families of the greater Willamette area through their annual children’s theater productions since 1975, serving more than 250,000 students with an annual audience of 7,000 students per production. In many cases, this is the first time these students will experience live theater. The plays help advance theatre as a means of educating, challenging and inspiring young people.

LBCC’s Theater Department reaches beyond the page and makes curriculum connections with theatrical experiences that students can take back to the classroom and incorporate in their academic studies.