DeSoto Family Theatre

will present 

“Miss Lori Live.”

DeSoto Family Theatre will present “Miss Lori Live.” Featuring the fanciful character Sqedunk, on June 19 at the DeSoto Civic Center Theater in Southaven.

Sqedunk the rag doll piglet helps Miss Lori bring nursery rhymes to life.  “Miss Lori” is storyteller Lori Reeves. She uses finger plays, song and dance to teach children.  Theses range from “1 little, 2 little, 3 little Indians” and “Itsy Bitsy Spider” to “I’m a little Teapot” and “Five little Monkeys (Jumping on the Bed).”

Reeves, show targets preschoolers.  The themes aren’t heavy, but she promotes basic good behavior; listening, especially to parents: following directions; and proper exercise.

“At DeSoto Family Theatre, we want to include entertainment and education for all ages in a family” DeSoto Family Theatre President and Artistic Director William Bailey said.  “We realized that we didn’t really have any programs for the preschool age group, and we found Lori’s show perfectly enchanting. This is a great opportunity for DeSoto Family Theatre as well as for families with young children.”

Reeves said the finger plays are interactive learning experiences that help improve and advance memory and language skills, while aiding in the development of hand-eye coordination and enhancing their gross and fine motor skills.

“I just love to see happy children.” Reeves said. “I love making kids smile. Preschool age children respond very well to finger plays, but they are more than just entertaining. They stimulate children’s imaginations and allow them to learn through play, which is very important at an age where many children have not yet learned to read.”

During the “Miss Lori Live” show, Reeves performs the finger plays with the help of son Clark Richard Reeves, 11, and friend Alex Scott, also 11.  She reads Sqedunk’s first book, “Sqedunk takes a tub tub,” to the children, and a larger than life size Sqedunk comes out to play.

Anna Carothers, or “Miss Anna,” Miss Lori’s athletic director, comes to visit and leads the children in doing exercises like jumping jacks, stretches and marches to the tune of songs like “John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt.” More of Sqedunk’s friends make appearances throughout the show, like Spider, Wee Willie Winkle, Little Bear, and Turtle.

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