Children’s play tells of farm animals who type for fairness

Published 10:10 am Friday, August 24, 2012

Not everyone knows the power of their words.

The cows, however, certainly do.

The children’s play “Click, Clack, Moo” will show how farm animals — with a typewriter and a little creativity — can make a better farm for everyone.

The play will be presented in the auditorium of the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25. Tickets are free and are provided at the Kids Discovery Museum next to the art museum.

A $5 donation is suggested. Proceeds go to benefit KiDiMu.

The play presents the story of various farm animals who discover a typewriter.

Through the power of their words — and the talents of the cows who have knack for the keyboard — they stand up for fair treatment on the farm. With a little humor, the cows click and clack their way to a better farm.

“I was already an adult when I stumbled upon ‘Moo’ in a bookstore,” said Gabe Carbajal, director of the play.

“I was captivated by its Orwellian storyline of animals gathering together and deciding that they are more than just servants that provide us with goods,” he said.

The children’s play is based on the book of the same name written by Doreen Cronin. Carbajal adapted it for the Bainbridge Island stage.

The production adds a special twist as a majority of its contributors are family.

Island actress Bronsyn Foster will take the stage as Henrietta Hen alongside her son, McKendree Springer, acting as Willingdon Pig.

Eon Smith, another Bainbridge-based performer, will take on the role of the storyteller while her daughter Simone Smith will perform as Bessie Cow.

Smith’s 5-year-old son, Oliver, also found a place to contribute in the production of “Click, Clack, Moo.”

“Oliver has been our ‘Assistant Director of Funny,’” Carbajal said. “Oliver lets me know when he thinks a scene is funny by whispering in my ear, ‘I laughed, Gabe,’ and shaking his head and frowning when he doesn’t find the cast amusing.”

Carbajal began his island theater group, the Bainbridge Island Storymakers Studio, to produce plays specifically for the island’s younger audience.

The first experiment with the venture was production of another children’s book, “The Rainbow Fish,” in June. The play was well-received, and performances of it were even requested by the Moon Paper Tent theater in Seattle.

“Rainbow Fish” was so well-loved by audiences at the Moon Paper Tent, the children’s theater requested in advance that “Click, Clack, Moo” hit the stage there as well.