“Life is lumpy.”
It’s one of the many lessons being learned by the cast of Tryon Little Theater’s first production of the 2012-2013 season, Robert Fulgum’s “Everything I Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten” (adapted by Ernest Zulia, David Caldwell composer/lyricist).
The show features an ensemble cast made up of first-time actors, Tryon Little Theater (TLT) veterans and everything in between. Director Debbie Craig Archer said she has made a point of assigning roles with the fairness of a good teacher, giving each actor enough to do to shine but not so much as to be burdensome.
Mimi Alexander, Henry Bright, Sandie Bright, Rody Dayvault, Jeff Jenkins, Kelly Archer, Chris Brink, Lindsey Moore, Hayden Bishop, Dean Campbell and John Hugill are cast as the kindergarteners who begin school with enthusiasm, energy and a “Yes, of course I can” approach. They linger to grow, stretch, stumble and learn a variety of simple but profound life lessons.
The audience will find much that is immediately recognizable in the stories told and the characters portrayed.
“The oh-so-familiar feelings, thoughts and actions can’t help but touch the heart and tickle the funny bone,” said Archer.

The play delivers its wisdom with a wink, as it takes us through the tribulations and triumphs of the pig in Cinderella, Charles Boyer, a scientific study of leaves, a memorable wedding, pickle juice and pigeons.
In the very first read-through, cast members were claiming stories as their own: “Oh, that is so me!” or “That one made me cry.” Often, they could barely stop laughing long enough to say anything.
The bell will ring for “Kindergarten” at the TLT Workshop on S. Trade Street in Tryon Sept. 20-23 and 27-30. The box office will open Sept. 6.
Oh, and Merry Christmas! (Come see the show – you’ll understand!)
– article submitted by Donna Tatnall