‘Book Machine’ explodes onto Taylor’s main stage

Some things came together last minute for this year's children's play, but the cast feels Beanie and the Bamboozling Book Machine is ready to go.

Beanie is a boy who decides he doesn't like to read, so he builds a machine to read books for him for a science project. The machine explodes, bringing the characters of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Hansel and Gretel and The Wizard of Oz to life and they must meet their end the same way they did in each of their books to return to their books.

The machine explosion became a bit of a problem due to unforeseen circumstances.

"We just got the tech for the machine to explode two nights ago, so we missed a week and a half of...rehersal because of the weather," said Dustin Sisney, senior public relations major. "We missed rehearsals for a week and a half and tech also missed a week, so it was good to get everyone to the plate."

Several other challenges appeared as production went on.  One of the challenges was the sheer size of the cast.

"It's got about 13 people in the company," said director Ann Lile, assistant professor of theatre. "It's a big cast and they're all doing very well. It's a lot of fun."

Sisney said catching up was challenging, but Lile got them through and is to thank for getting them caught up. Other challenges were on the more technical side of theatre.

 "I have to have people appear and disappear and there is a space rider that is a rocket ship that Professor Librum shows up in," she said. "The machine has to blow up and has to have lights. The queen has to dance in the red hot iron shoes, lots of challenges."

The public shows begin at 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 26 and 27 in Taylor Auditorium.  Prices are $1 for adults and 50 cents for children.