FSU’s Department of Theatre and Dance Opens Season With Musical of Beloved Children’s Story, “Blueberries For Sal”

As part of Frostburg State University’s Homecoming weekend, FSU’s Department of Theatre and Dance will open its 2024-2025 season with the children’s musical, “Blueberries for Sal,” on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 2 p.m. in the Drama Theatre of FSU’s Woodward D. Pealer Performing Arts Center.

Based on the cherished children’s book by Robert McCloskey, “Blueberries for Sal: The Musical” brings all of your favorite characters to life in the imaginative setting of Blueberry Hill.

Kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk! Sal and her mother grab their pails and head to Blueberry Hill to pick delicious blueberries for the winter months ahead. On the other side of the hill, Mama Bear and Baby Bear also fill up on scrumptious blue morsels for the long hibernation. When fearless Sal and frightful Baby Bear wander off, they have a mixed-up adventure in the Maine woods. Featuring catchy and heartwarming tunes like “Big Big Kid,” “Little Pail,” “Why Does Winter Happen” and “Learn to Fly,” “Blueberries for Sal: The Musical” highlights the powerful bond between parent and child and the exuberant joy of wildlife, imagination and self-discovery.

Directed by Nicole Mattis with musical direction by Michaela Hale and choreography by theatre major Grace Stevenson, “Blueberries for Sal” was adapted for the stage by Michael J. Bobbitt and Sandra B. Eskin with music and lyrics by William Yanesh.

The cast and creative team also includes Casey Allison (Little Sal), Gracie Ray (Little Sal’s Mom), Elena Echeandia (Little Bear), Kassidy Andris (Mama Bear), Leah Boggs (Mama Crow/assistant music director), Shay Fochtman (Mama Partridge), Stevenson (Uncle Moose), Kyle Wolford (stage manager), Mackenzie Guynes (tour manager/sound design), Sarah Slack (costume design), Elijah Reed (scenic design), Ronald Breitfeller (puppet design) and George Georgeson (props design/technical support).

This production is part of Theatre and Dance’s Roundabout Children’s Theatre tour, which includes a collaboration with FSU’s Cultural Events Series and the Children’s Literature Centre.

In addition to the 2 p.m. performance, there will be a select performance at 4 p.m. for adaptive learning audience members. For more information about this performance, call the Theatre and Dance box office at 301-687-7462.

Tickets for the 2 p.m. matinee can be purchased online at https://frostburgtix.universitytickets.com/?cid=169.