BRINGING a lesson about life to life in the most energetic, vibrant way is what audiences can look forward to when Freckleface Strawberry lights up Launceston's Princess theatre stage on Tuesday.
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Based on books written by actor Julianne Moore, this fresh and colourful musical presented by Launceston's own Stage Right Youth Theatre is about a little girl whose happiness turns to loneliness just because she has red hair, but even worse (to her eyes), she has freckles.
As the audience learns through her "nerdy friend" Jake: "Strawberry is seven, she is short, she can ride a bike, she has lost a tooth". Strawberry herself sings: "Freckleface, Freckleface, freckles everywhere."
Through her insecurity about looking different, Strawberry feels she is shunned in the school yard and teased. She copes by creating a world of her own in her bedroom and by wearing a mask to school.
"I could be anything, a rock star, a tapper or a Lady Ga Ga ... but I'm Freckleface Strawberry," she sings to her fantasy world.
It's an impassioned plea delivered impressively by Rhiannon Bone, 14, just one of 95 students, aged between six and 17, who shine in this musical.
"Freckles everywhere, I'm allergic to my freckles, I get sick every time I look, I don't want to be special," so the song continues.
"Strawberry's insecurities about having freckles, about feeling different is a lesson for us all," says Neve MacDonald, 16, who plays Strawberry's mother.
"The musical is all about lifting Strawberry's spirits and how to cope with being yourself. It's about acceptance."
Neve, Rhiannon and 15-year-old Cody Gunton, who plays Jake, are stalwarts of Stage Right Youth Theatre, and each agree that playing a seven-year-old has been the biggest challenge with this production.
At a dress rehearsal this week director Danny Gibson clued-in his cast on how to ease that pressure: "We believe we are seven. When you commit to your character with facial expression then this production will be the best it can be."
Freckleface Strawberry, which premiered off-Broadway in 2012, is full of catchy tunes and colourful costumes.
"I'm always trying to find musicals that allow my students to develop their stage skills, acting, singing and dancing," says Gibson, whose company was previously known as PCYC Youth Theatre School and earned great applause for impressive productions such as Oklahoma!, Beauty and the Beast and Cats in 2014.
"It's our 10th large-scale production and I couldn't be more proud of the cast or our wonderful support crew of students from Launceston College, local theatre groups and St Patrick's College," he said.
It's a busy time for Rhiannon, 14, of Launceston Church Grammar School, for she is also preparing to play young Jane Banks in Encore Theatre company's upcoming production of Mary Poppins.
For Neve, a Launceston College student who will soon be turning 17, Freckleface Strawberry is a "wonderful bookend" to 10 years with the company.
Cody, a Kings meadows High School student who has been finding his feet in adult productions thanks to Longford's G-String Productions, has found Freckleface Strawberry "uplifting and upbeat".
"It's challenging in how the scenes change in tempo and pretending to be seven has been interesting.
"It's a fun show to be in."
WHAT: Freckleface Strawberry – The Musical.
WHERE: Princess Theatre, Launceston.
WHEN: Tuesday, August 4, to Thursday, August 6.
BOOKINGS: 63233 3666, at the Princess Theatre box office or visit www.theatrenorth.com.au