City Mouse meets Country Mouse in Cornerstone musical

Sussex — "Eeek! A Mousical," the premier production of the Cornerstone Playhouse in its new home, the historic Crescent Theatre in Sussex, opened with a roar this past weekend. The cast of youngsters was directed by Michael Gillespie in Jack Dyville and John Stutte's modern-day adaptation of Aesop's fable, "The City Mouse and The Country Mouse." The lifestyle gap between city and country, characterized by technology versus the simplicity of days gone by, becomes evident when the two families visit one other. They quickly realize that the city/country may be fine for a short visit, but there's really no place like home. The roles of the leading characters, two sisters, are played alternately by Audry Leibig and Kaitlin Estell as Bara, the city mouse mother, and Madi O'Shea and Grace Brizek as Clarissa, the country mouse mother, who do comedy and join for a duet, "Sweet, Dear Sister." Also featured are Zach McIntyre and Isiah Palovitz, as the city and country mouse fathers. The parts of the city mouse children, Benjamin and Brianna, are shared by Jenna Blandina/Julia Dykstra and Sarah Blake/Katie Gervy. The country mouse children, Clem and Caroline, are played by Maslin Slade/Andrew Wire, and Madison McIntyre/Ashleen Lynn Brady. An additional group of singing and dancing mice round out the production. The opening number, "City Life! Country Life!" sets the tone for this up-beat mouse tale. Production numbers include "Welcome Home" and "Down Home Hoedown" featuring the hand-clapping rhythms of a country barn dance, contrasted by "Lost in the City," and "Take 'Em Downtown," which capture the hustle and bustle of city life. If you go When: Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 5, and Friday and Saturday, Nov. 4 and 5 Special: Jack Dyville, who wrote the book and music, will sign autographs on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon Where: Crescent Theatre, 74 Main St., Sussex How much: $15 general admission, $10 senior citizens and students Call: 973-729-2120.