The Winnipesaukee Playhouse continues the 2021 season with a little-known but soon to be much-loved musical called Dani Girl. The four-person musical is about a young girl’s magically imaginative adventure in the face of childhood cancer. The heartbreaking topic is written with joy, warmth, and humor by Michael Koomans and Christopher Dimond and plays on the Playhouse’s outdoor amphitheatre from July 14 to 31.
Dani is a precocious nine-year-old who is battling leukemia with the help of her imaginary friend, Raph. Together she, Raph, and her favorite stuffed bear embark on fantastical adventures as she attempts to answer the question of “why cancer?” and win back her hair. During her latest hospital stay, Dani is joined by another patient, Merriweather Flowers, a science fiction obsessed tween who prefers to go by the name Marty Luke McFly Skywalker in homage to his cinema heroes. Dani and Marty join forces to battle cancer both literally and figuratively.
Audience favorite Rebecca Tucker returns for her eighth season at the Playhouse to play Dani’s Mother. She is joined by William Vaughn as Raph. The children are played by Marcus Wells, who was last seen in the Playhouse’s powerful production of “Master Harold … and the Boys,” and Amanda Lattanzi, a recent Plymouth State University graduate who is making her Playhouse debut as Dani. The production is directed by Aileen Wells McGroddy.
The cast hopes the audience takes away a lot of joy and silliness they feel comes through in this production.
The production overlaps with the final week of Anthony Shaffer’s Sleuth which continues to perform on the indoor stage through July 17.
Dani Girl is generously sponsored by Re/Max Bayside. Tickets range from $29 to $39. The Playhouse is focused on safety and has published a page of COVID-19 protocols on their website to prepare patrons for what to expect when they attend the theatre. Protocols may change throughout the season as the situation evolves. Tickets for all productions can be purchased by calling the box office at (603) 279-0333.