Casper, WY – Opera Wyoming is bringing back the beloved children’s show Spookley the Square Pumpkin: The Musical for a series of performances at the newly‑opened Fox III Theater. The productions are scheduled for Oct. 17, 18, 25, 26, 31 and Nov. 1, with each show lasting about 30 minutes.
Local families invited to enjoy a vibrant, interactive show
The musical features singing pumpkins, melons, spiders and scarecrows that perform under black‑light, bright fluorescent colors. Young audience members are encouraged to sing and dance alongside the cast, creating an engaging, participatory experience.
“Essentially, it’s about Spookley the square pumpkin who finds himself in a world full of round pumpkins,” said Daniel Quintana, artistic director of the production. “Spookley is a little bit different from the other pumpkins. He’s a square pumpkin trying to make it in a round world.”
Message of self‑acceptance resonates with parents
Both the artistic team and the performers emphasize the show’s core theme of self‑acceptance and anti‑bullying. Actor Phineus Lockwood, who portrays Spookley, explained, “Anyone can relate to Spookley in some way. Everyone is different in one way or another, but despite those differences we can wake up each day and overcome obstacles. The show says, ‘Sometimes the best you can do is do the best you can do.’”
Adapted from Joe Troiano’s 2001 children’s book The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin, the story has also been turned into film and television adaptations. Opera Wyoming has produced the show for four seasons, retaining original cast members while welcoming new talent each year.
Intimate venue offers a cozy community experience
The Fox III Theater, which opened in August, seats just 60 guests, making this year’s run more intimate than previous productions. Quintana noted that the cast and crew have spent weeks building new stages, moving costumes and props, and rehearsing to ensure a high‑quality performance despite the limited space.
“We keep doing it because we love performing for kids,” Quintana added.
Cast members share personal connections to the show
Many participants describe the production as a family affair. Actress Deb Nelson, who plays Little Tom, said she joined the cast last year because her son was involved, and even though he isn’t in this year’s show, the experience remains a family tradition. Swing understudy Giules Engelman called the work “goofy” and highlighted the joy of spending time with friends.
Actor Alex Smart, who plays the spider Edgar, shared that the role is meaningful to him as someone who has experienced bullying. “It’s meaningful to do a show where the message is to be kind, be yourself and help others,” he said.
First‑time cast member Seth Jensen, playing Alan the Spider, recalled watching his daughter perform in earlier years and now joining the production with his own family.
Tickets and community invitation
Opera Wyoming encourages Casper residents to bring their families to the performances for an evening of singing, dancing and lighthearted entertainment. Tickets are available for purchase online through the Opera Wyoming website.
With its uplifting message and community‑focused atmosphere, Spookley the Square Pumpkin: The Musical offers a wholesome outing for families seeking a safe, faith‑affirming environment in Casper.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
