Life’s lessons
Children’s show shares values
BY MARY KAY SWEIKAR
Commercial-News
July 17, 2012
DANVILLE — This weekend, 40 area children ages 8 and up will appear as a variety of barnyard animals in the Danville Light Opera summer musical, On the Other Side of the Fence. Performances will be at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in the Bremer Conference Center Theatre at Danville Area Community College. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the show.
Written and composed by Andrea Green, the musical follows the story of two farms that are separated by a big, strong fence and a long-standing feud between the two farmers. Because of their differences, the farmers have forbidden the animals on their respective properties to fraternize with the animals on the other side. One day, two pigs form a special friendship by talking to each other over the fence — much to the chagrin of the farmers.
All the animals begin to wonder why they have to be segregated, and they look to each other for answers. The play explores themes about tolerance, acceptance, friendship and understanding.
Green wrote this musical in 1983 to serve as a vehicle to bring together students from an elementary school and a school for special needs children.
Charlie Hester, director of the show, said, “I found the themes so inspiring and meaningful, and the songs are just adorable and fun.” She said that Green plans to travel from New Jersey to see the Danville performances, and she will available to meet with the cast — and most likely the audience — after the show.
”I’m really excited and honored that Andrea is coming here,” Hester said. “I’ve been in theater all my life, and I can’t remember when the author of a children’s show last came to Danville to see the actual performance and meet the cast.”
Hester talks with children at each rehearsal in hopes that their participation in the play will help to teach them mutual respect. “On the Other Side of the Fence has brought these kids together in an open dialogue about the way we would like to be treated — the way we treat our friends and others,” Hester said. “We’ve addressed the importance of encouragement in social media and that some ‘fences’ keep us safe, but others deserve to be challenged.
“The show imparts a beautiful message that’s so empowering for children. I hope that the children in the show and the audience will relate it to how they can make changes for the better in our community.”
On the Other Side of the Fence is an ensemble show, which means that there is no one star, and most of the cast is on stage during every scene. Also, nearly all of the children in the show have at least one line to say.
“About 30 percent of our cast are new to the stage, and we have a lot of little ones who just might steal the show,” Hester said. “We’re all experiencing some wonderful moments with these children and some of them are sure to steal the show.”
Cast members include Olivia Craig, Victoria Juvinall, Peyton Jones, Kalen McGowan, Madison Thompson, Morgan Klett, Ashton Thompson, Lauren Powell, Brookelyn Powell, Jeremiah Strain, Thomas Strain, Brianne White and Tim Mills.
Also in the cast are Isabelle Peters, Haley George, Augusta Mansfield, Katelyn Hanson, Bree Morgan, Sammi Wesner, Wynter Haas, Dacota Juvinall, Hope Hanson, Abigail Bueter, Amy Mills, Georgie Kiser, Nelle Smith, Torri Marlow and Grace Vogt.
Other actors are Molly Smith, Brooklynne Klett, Emma Ferren, Rebecca Peters, Abigail Strain, Sarah Schroeder, Karrin Estes, Callie Jane Mansfield, Emily Everett, Natalie Mills and Kara Howie.
The cast includes a number of sets of siblings, including Hester’s three children: Amy, Natalie and Tim Mills.
Music director for the show is Chris Huffman, and Megan Ketcherside is choreographer. Co-producers are Marilyn Unzicker and Brittany Powell. Unzicker said, “This show has been so much fun for all of us,” as she ticked off all the various animal characters represented in the musical. “The parents have come up with some great costume ideas,” she added, “and it’s up to each child to make their animal special on stage. “The children in the show are just wonderful and they all get along so well with each other,” Unzicker said.
Food collection
The cast will collect donations for the Your Family Resources Center. Attendees at the show are asked to bring non-perishable foods and toiletries to the performance. Hester has a personal story to share that made her choose the YFRC for donations. “Along with my three children, I went through the Women’s Shelter nine years ago,” she said, “and the people there literally saved my life. “By collecting items needed for the Danville women’s shelter, we hope to show everyone that the journey to the other side of the fence has only just begun.
On May 16, 2013, Andrea Green and Teresa Maebori, were honored by a 
