Busytown on stage will keep wee minds busy

That’ll do Farmer Pig. What’s up with that, Huckle Cat? If you know those names, then you know things are going down in Busytown.

Adapted for the stage by Kevin Kling with music from Michael Koerner, Carousel Theatre for Young People presents the musical Busytown, based on late children’s author Richard Scarry’s beloved 1968 book, What Do People Do All Day.

Busytown envisions a vibrant and agreeable place where everyone works together for the betterment of the community. Clearly, it’s the kind of story that could only come out of the ’60s when some people actually believed such things.

It’s also one of celebrated author Scarry’s most popular books and perfect for children eager to learn things such as the recipe for friendship: three cups of love, a teaspoon of kindness, mix gently, bake for a lifetime, enjoy!

Actor Kayla Dunbar, who did a fine turn as Gertrude McFuzz in Suessical, plays both Nurse Nellie and Grandma Bear, as well as choreographing the dance numbers.

Rising talent Devon Busswood, 21, makes her professional debut in the performance as Betsy Bear. Both are big fans of the original book.

“It’s a lovely little show with tonnes of characters for ages three to seven that’s all about community and a person’s place in it and how it all works,” Dunbar says.

“There are a lot of good messages in the story and it’s pretty hilarious too,” Busswood adds. “It’s pretty funny for me to be cast in a show that comes from the same source as the PC game I played constantly as a kid and the book I read. Very cool.”

Busswood says she’s pretty excited to be able to have her first “out of body experience” with Carousel Theatre, a company she used to dream about being on stage with as an aspiring young actor.

Given Carousel’s award-winning track record for excellent and engaging productions, Busytown should leave kids in awe and parents in “awww.” The press materials pretty much promise that.