EMUs on the Loose Emusical to premiere in Canton
The world premiere of Emus on the Loose: An Emu-sical! Is planned for Aug. 28 in Canton Township.
The presentation is a one-act musical about four self-involved emus who escape from their farm enclosure in Kalamazoo and go on an adventure visiting some iconic Michigan locations, all while avoiding the local sheriff.
The show is based on a semi-true story, producers said. When a fierce windstorm swept through Oshtemo Township Nov. 30, 2022, and blew open the gate to the emu enclosure at Llama Woods Farm a crashing tree branch gave the resident emus just the scare they needed to make a break for it
Soon, a Kalamazoo County sheriff’s deputy spotted one of the giant birds strolling down the road and the chase was on. With help from the Dyk family, they were able to round up the feathered fugitives and return them safely to their home.
News outlets around the world pounced on the story, resulting in a viral social media sensation as individuals shared the deputy’s body cam footage showing the capture of the big birds, as well as created posts depicting wild antics to save themselves from stampeding emus.
Emus on the Loose, An Emu-sical! is an adaptation of the hit children’s book, Emus on the Loose, by Steven and Beth Boughton, based on those real events.
The one-hour show, with book and lyrics by Steve Boughton and Ben Frick and music by Ben Frick, brings the book to life for young audiences, ages 6 and up.
Emus on the Loose: An Emu-sical! will premiere at The Village Theater at Cherry Hill at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28. Additional performances are set for noon and 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30.
Audience members are invited to a post-event Meet and Greet with the book’s authors, as well as the Emu characters. Saturday performances will feature arts and crafts activities with the book illustrator and snacks after each show.
Tickets are on sale now for $10 and can be purchased online at www.cantonvillagetheater.org or by calling (734) 394-5300. Tickets can also be purchased at The Village Theater Box Office one hour prior to show time.
The Village Theater at Cherry Hill is located at 50400 Cherry Hill Road in Canton, MI, 48187. For more information visit www.cantonvillagetheater.org or call (734) 394-5300.
