Stimulus to perform children's favorite

It'll make everything feel good. And the kids can watch too -- legally. It's Stimulus Children's Theater musical adaptation of Maurice Sendak's book Where the Wild Things Are, which opens tomorrow night in Houston Hall Auditorium. The story is that of a young boy who wishes to escape to a fantasy land ruled entirely by children. But when the boy's wish is granted and he gets to live there, he realizes how much he misses his home and his parents and yearns to return. And castmembers said this week that although the show is geared for the younger generation, college students should have little trouble relating to the show and enjoying themselves. "It's a chance for everyone to rediscover the kid inside," said Wharton sophomore Jed Cohen. "All of us have a little kid deep down somewhere who wants to escape and run wild." Stimulus is a volunteer organization which was founded with a mission to enrich the educational experience of West Philadelphia elementary and middle school students. Out of the original organization grew Stimulus Children's Theatre, which tries to bring a cheery brand of theater to those who might not otherwise be exposed to it. Since its founding three years ago, Stimulus Children's Theatre has done over 40 performances in the West Philadelphia area. And while this will be the first and only chance for University students to see the production on campus, the group has already performed the show several times at local schools and centers for disadvantaged children. And according to Cohen, all previous performances have been received with great appreciation and thanks. "Every place we've been they ask us to come back and do more," he said. "The kids get to laugh a lot, have a great time, and even the adults share in the fun." Because the show must be able to be performed in a variety of spaces from cramped to wide open, there is minimal set and lighting. College freshman Nancy Wiener said that performing a technically unsophisticated show has its advantages and disadvantages. "It puts a lot of pressure on the actors to really bring the characters to life," she said. "But it also lets the audience's imagination and creativity go crazy." Where the Wild Things Are opens tomorrow night at 8 p.m. and continues on Saturday at 2 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. in Houston Hall Auditorium. Tickets are available on Locust Walk.

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