After earthquake setbacks, Alaska Junior Theater presents family-friendly ‘Stone Soup’

Phebe Taylor, a New York City actress, attends Broadway shows several times a week — but performances that have stuck with her are ones she saw as a child.

She says that early enchantment with theater is why she has worked with the Pushcart Players, a New Jersey-based theater company, for 15 seasons.

“It’s hard for me to forget how important that is,” said Taylor. “Those of us who have chosen to do theater for young audiences, part of it is remembering how important that first exposure is to the theater. I remember when groups came to my school when I was in elementary school or when we would go on a field trip.”

The Pushcart Players will make their way to Alaska for several performances of “Stone Soup and Other Stories,” a compilation of folk tales teaching young audiences about different cultures and life lessons. They’re being brought here by Alaska Junior Theater, which had to cancel two sold-out shows in the Atwood Concert Hall and halted public ticket sales for the show “Air Play” due to the powerful 7.0 earthquake that shook Southcentral Alaska on Nov. 30.

The group was originally founded in 1974 to provide an affordable way for New Jersey youths to see performing arts. In the early ‘90s, the Players were nominated for an Emmy for outstanding children’s programming. The company has performed in 34 states and even at the White House.

The first tale, “Freddie Lee Fisher,” tells the story of a young child who is always getting mixed up and confused. Even though she makes silly mistakes, her papa loves her all the same. Originating from India, “The Greatest Being” follows a princess’s journey to find love. Her father wants her to marry the “greatest being in the world,” but her heart is with the royal mouse catcher.

In “The Long One,” Rabbit doesn’t listen to his friend, Monkey, because someone as young as him couldn’t have good ideas. The African folk tale teaches audience members they should not underestimate people because of their age. The performance concludes with “Stone Soup,” a story of three friends, Matushka, Petrushka and Babaganushka, who are always waiting on their friend, Setonka. The story highlights the importance of sharing.

“All four stories are folktales that have some sort of moral or lesson to be learned,” said Taylor.

The Pushcart Players first debuted “Stone Soup” in 1995 as a two-person show. In 2007, the troupe decided to make the cast a bit larger. Taylor, along with castmate Oscar Castillo and two former Pushcart Players, first came to Alaska in 2010 with “Stone Soup.” Since then, the Players have made a number of appearances with Alaska Junior Theater, including “Alice in Wonderland” and “Peter and the Wolf.” Taylor will share the stage with Stacie Gogo, Corey Whelihan and Castillo, also part of the agency.

Taylor, along with the rest of the crew, wears many different hats.

“I work seasonally as a New York City sightseeing guide, which I suppose is relatively theatrical, actually, because I have to keep everybody entertained for days on end,” said Taylor. “But I love history so much and social studies. … I look forward to it every year.”

Taylor says she appreciates the honesty of student audiences.

“If you’re bad, they’ll let you know that you’re bad,” said Taylor. “If you’re hilarious, they will laugh hysterically. They applaud, they respond, they are not afraid of telling you what they think, which is pretty awesome as a performer.”

Out of the four tales, Taylor enjoys performing “Stone Soup” the most.

“It’s the story that has the most amount of audience participation,” said Taylor. “The energy of that particular story is heightened. It’s super fun because the kids by the end are usually screaming at us. I don’t know, I think that little story is pretty charming and a little silly. The energy is just so high by then, it makes me pretty happy.”

Stone Soup and Other Stories

When: 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9

Where: Discovery Theatre in Anchorage

Tickets: $12-$27 at centertix.com