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Event
Wiley and the Hairy Man by Susan Zeder
The students at KC act out silly characters who demonstrate magic and wonder while telling an adventurous story about a young boy, Wiley, who lives in the swamp with his mother and dog. His father, we learn, has been killed by the Hairy Man, a "conjure man" covered in hair who terrorizes the swamp. Wiley's Mammy is likewise a "conjure woman" and relies on magic for many things. She tries to teach her son how to conjure so that he can go into the swamp feeling safe. All Wiley feels is afraid, but he goes to the swamp to find wood for his dog's house. Dog follows Wiley in order to protect him.
Through their travels in the swamp, we learn what Wiley prides himself on: "wigglin' and squigglin'", standing still as a statue, and leapfrogging. The Chorus provides the audience with the information that Hairy Man is terrified of dogs. Soon, Wiley must face Hairy Man with dog off chasing a magical bone. With some magical items his mother gave him and the help of his dog, Wiley is able to get away from Hairy Man.
Upon his return, Mammy tries and fails to teach Wiley how to conjure, emphasizing the importance of magic in this battle. As a last resort, Mammy turns to an old magic book to find out how to keep Hairy Man away. The book reveals that Hairy Man can only defeated if trickec three times in a row. Once tricked, he will leave the tricker alone for good.
Mammy makes Wiley go back to the swamp alone with a trick in mind. Wiley again faces Hairy Man and is able to trick him twice in a row. Now the pressure is on and Hairy Man is mad. Wiley races back to Mammy who is in the midst of a deep conjure to come up with one more trick. While Mammy's trick works, Hairy Man won't let it count for Wiley and freezes Dog like a statue. Then Hairy Man tricks Mammy into thinking he has gone away for good. The trick works because he plays to Mammy's pride and she lets him into her house. Immediately Hairy Man freezes Mammy. Hairy Man, playing with his prey, allows Wiley two chances to better him.
After being foiled in "wigglin' and squigglin'" and leapfrogging by Hairy Man's cheating, Wiley convinces Hairy Man that he has turned himself to stone. Now all that Hairy Man can do is unfreeze Wiley, unfreezing Dog and Mammy as well. Dog promptly bites Hairy Man, making him bald and comical. Wiley has successfully tricked and banished Hairy Man with only his abilities. Wiley goes to bed and once again the Chorus take up the part of a nightmare. This time, however, Wiley is not frightened by the nightmare and instead banishes it from his mind.
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LocationKCHS Auditorium (View)
2432 N. Drake Rd.
Kalamazoo, MI 49006
United States
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Categories
| Minimum Age: 4 |
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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