Kids' book reports bring the funny

FORT MADISON – Some spunky kids are taking to the stage this weekend in downtown Fort Madison and this one you’ll want to check out.
A series of book reports called “Book Reports of Destiny” are the thrust of this year’s Youth Summer Theater Program at Old Fort Players this weekend.
Tickets are on sale online at www.oldfortplayers.com. Adults are $8 and students are $5.
Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
Youth programs are filled with “radio silence” at times, but these kids pull it off.
When the students in Ms. Kim’s class present the book reports, their imagination takes over as they bring the reports to life on stage.
Fractured fairy tales, birthday parties, super heroes, and the color of gutsy kids bringing it all to life adds something special to the historic stage on Avenue G.
Ripley Mena is freshly one of the most animated players on the stage and brings her charm right to the front of the stage.
In the first book report, Mena plays Jubie K. Ruby, “the world's spunkiest grade-schooler” who employs the help of other kids to find a missing pony at her birthday party. Aubrey Davis plays Chloe, the book “reporter” and guides the cast through the apple-scented farce.
The second book report looks at the Grimm Tales of Wunzapon, but the report goes off the rails when the characters take over the report and clamor for bigger roles.
The final report brings things down with Richard Bruster as the laughable Principal Blutt who’s the alter-ego of Bathmat Man – the Damp Knight. Bruster “needs a beat” as he proclaims his stature as the greatest superhero ever, while the cast claims he may be the most disgusting ever.
Either way, he comes to the rescue under the hypnotism of a couple kids in the cast as Count Von Matchstick Breakwind tries to stink up the doings.
Other cast members include Marlia Lauber, Bella Miller, Sunshine Zioui, Mia Payne, Veronica Pranger, Erin Bauswell, and Burkly Carter.
Sound and lights are being handled by Kim Albers, Issabella Pranger is the stage manager, and Olivia Shields and Oscar Bauswell co-direct.
Tickets can also be held at the door by calling 319-372-9559 or by leaving a message on the OFP Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/oldfortplayers.