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Getting Near to Baby

Presented by Columbus Children's Theatre

By Y. York
Based on the novel by Audrey Couloumbis

REGIONAL PREMIERE
80 minutes; recommended for everyone age 8 and older
(This play deals with loss and mourning, which may be upsetting to the very young. It is a realistic, dialogue and character-driven show)

In the North Carolina summer of 1967 tragedy strikes their family, so Willa Jo and Little Sister are sent to stay with their Aunt Patty and Uncle Hob while their mother tries to come to terms with their family's loss. Little Sister hasn't said a word since her baby sister died, and she plain refuses to let go of the drawing she carries with her everywhere.

As the days go by, Little Sister's penchant for climbing things can't be ignored. Aunt Patty is not fond of this--"she worries a frightful lot about the people she loves." To help the girls gain a sense of order and improve her standing with the Ladies' Social League, Patty invites Lucy Wainwright and her daughter Cynthia over for tea. Patty insists the girls take charm lessons from Lucy, but with everyone's pent-up hurt, it seems that the charm is hard to come by.

Willa Jo finally gets a look at the drawing Little Sister is so keen on; a drawing of their baby sister in the clouds. Willa Jo now understands why Little Sister keeps climbing things, to get near to baby. With compassion and kindness from the neighbors and each other, the whole family begins to take those crucial steps toward being okay again.