Max and Ruby are two busy rabbits. The bunny siblings have been entertaining kids around the world, first as a book series by Rosemary Wells, and then as a TV series which began in 2002. Now, the pair is coming to life as part of Max and Ruby: Bunny Party, a new touring musical.
The show follows Max and Ruby as they prepare to throw a party for a special guest. The bunnies will go on a search for gifts and take on many adventures in preparing for the party. A local child who has a birthday in the month of October has the chance to be that guest.
Juno award winning composer Norman Foote is behind the music in the show. Foote has been an acclaimed song writer and performer for decades, winning acclaim with his solo performances and writing for Disney, CBC, and musicals.
Foote says the Max and Ruby show connects with kids because it is something they can recognize, with - a typical sibling relationship driving the action.
"The writer, Rosemary Wells, styled it on her own kids when her kids were little. It's really about a little boy whose about three years old and his slightly bossy older sister. She's not in any way mean-hearted, just slightly bossy, something a lot of parents can identify in their kids," Foote says.
The live show will be true to Wells' vision, taking the characters kids identify with and bringing them to the stage. Foote is proud to do the show justice, and also expand the horizons of the kids in attendance.
"The great thing about the show is that it introduces young people to musical theatre, and it does it in a way where they are familiar with the characters from the TV show, so it brings the characters to life," Foote says.
One of the challenges was the character of Ruby, Foote says, because she doesn't sing in the TV show. In order to be true to the character, she has a unique vocal style, where she half sings and half talks.
An advantage of a live show is that it can get kids involved, Foote says, so he is also proud of the audience participation and interactive elements brought in to the show. He promises plenty of surprises for the audience as well.
Foote describes the music as a swing-y jazz sound, inspired by New Orleans, with a few detours into rhythm and blues. Fans of the TV show will be on familiar musical ground, he says, as the show stays true to its style. He says that the sound is something that's great for kids to hear, and a style that he enjoys writing in.
"It was easy for me because I grew up with my parents' record collection, and they had all of that old stuff in there, and I love jazz," Foote says.
The show will take place at the Anne Portnuff Theatre at 4:00 p.m. on October 6. Tickets are $27, and available from the Yorkton Arts Council at 783-8722 or by visiting Welcome Home Floral and Gift Shop.
