This year's show will be held at the 

Historic Dunnellon Middle School Auditorium

The weekend before Thanksgiving 2010

4 Performances Friday-Sunday

ABOUT THE SHOW...

The Secret River is the tale of little girl named Calpurnia, who’s family has fallen on hard times. Calpurnia loves to play with her dog Buggy Horse, write poems, and fish. She decides that she’s going to go fishing to help her family, except she won’t fish with angleworms — she’ll fish with pink crepe paper that she’ll make look like roses, because their prettier. Then, she sets out to find Mother Albirtha, the town’s shop owner and wisest woman in the forest and she tells Calpurnia of the secret river — and that the only way she can find it is by following her nose. In the forest, Calpurnia spots a rabbit and a blue jay, make her nose look in their directions. These forest animals lead her to the secret river, filled with catfish. She catches them and begins her journey back through the forest. But now, it’s getting late and Calpurnia runs across some Florida forest animals: a hoot owl, a bear, and a panther. Calpurnia gives them food too, because she suspects that they have fallen on hard times also. As her journey comes to an end, she comes across the beauty of a Florida forest at night, and sees night flowers in bloom, a mockingbird, and a white crane. Once she arrives home her parents are so happy to see her again, but she’s so tired she goes straight to bed. Calpurnia has turned hard times to soft times. One day, Calpurnia sets out to find The Secret River again, but can’t—and goes to see Mother Albirtha who tells her that The Secret River is in the most precious place of all.

 Adapted from the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings book, The Secret River was adapted by Shalyn Barker for the students of Victoria's School of Dance. An enchanting show,  The Secret River is a wonderful occasion to spend an afternoon in historic Dunnellon.