CULTURE GECKO
The Adventure of Young Turtle is a Vibrant, Whimsical Journey Interspersed with a Powerful Themes and Message
By Ezekiel McAdams
March 6 2025
Persephone Theatre’s latest youth series production is The Adventure of Young Turtle by So. Glad Arts.
The play runs from March 6-9th 2025 at Persephone Theatre’s Backstage Stage.
Created and written by Saskatoon actor S.E. Grumett, this is an enchanting underwater journey that uses themes of identity, inclusion, acceptance, trans identity and queer identity as a successful allegory for a brand new fable about a young turtle trying to find himself while also making their way back home to their family.
The production is directed by Jay Northcott and stars Logan Stefura in the title role of the turtle with Emmanuel Dubbledam, Oli Guselle and Amanda Trapp playing various roles as the ensemble.
Grummett’s script is fun, the characters are lively, entertaining and memorable. The character's personalities are a mix of relatable and outrageous. The story of an adventure of self discovery and identity filled with wacky characters is not new but with the underwater setting, Grummett’s script makes it unique and distinct.
Playwright Yvette Nolan, helped support and assist as Dramaturg. Currently, one of Nolan’s plays, The Unplugging is running in Saskatoon from February 27-March 8th 2025 and presented by Live Five and Burnt Thicket Theatre.
The music is the secret ingredient that shines with the visually stunning set design as a backdrop and the actors’ performances creating an enchanting ambience that could easily be mistaken for some of Disney’s now classic and iconic songs.
Northcott’s direction is strong and fast paced while conveying whimsy and wonder. Northcott’s direction allows the actors, set and puppets to come alive and capture an immersive experience.
Stefura brings a relatability and innocence as the Young Turtle that is heartwarming and infectious. Stefura is able to encapsulate and bring their character to life with their physicality, facial expressions and vocal cadence.
Dubbledam captures a gruff earnestness with their performance as the eel. Dubbedam evokes trepidation and sense of caution with the staunch loyalty that is familiar with an adventure or quest that assembles characters along the way. Dubbledam’s shifty yet helpful and inquisitive turn as a clown fish is a surprising bit of levity during the production.
Trapp brings such warmth and heart with the portrayal of the misunderstood shark. Trapp is able to intertwine the physicality while emoting. Trapp deserves credit who portraying a villainous sea creature that is magnetic, mysterious and slightly scary is a transformative juxtaposition from the shark character.
Finally, Guselle shifts effortlessly from the warm, nurturing mother to the young turtle to the enigmatic, daunting, anglerfish is a delightful joy. Guselle's performance is a striking highlight during the musical numbers.
Guselle is also a musician, performs with their band, Checkout Queens.
Even Gilchrist’s set design is imaginative, kaleidoscope visual wonderful. Where the colors are vibrant and pop and transport you to this underwater world that Grummett created.
Logan Martin-Arcand’s costume design is simple and effective and allows the performers to utilize the puppets to their full potential almost as an additional appendage.
Rae Spoon and Ruaridth MacDonald’s work as co-composers and lyricists created a wonderful collection of songs. The lyrics are embedded with a sharp quirkiness that is catchy, heartfelt, infectious and unforgettable.
It should be noted that Alyssa Billingsley, Mitchell Larsen, Katie Moore and Tiffany Taylor contributed to the original songs.
Liz Whitbread was essential as the music director that helped the performers shine brightly, empathizing the strength of the lyrics.
The puppet design by Grummett, Ali DeRagt, Rowan Pantel and Monica Ila are undoubtedly the star attraction and steal the show with their vibrant, quirky design that is as alluring, enchanting as it is striking. From the turtle limbs, gigantic jellyfish, friendly shark and imposing yet majestic anglerfish are incredibly specific and immaculate in their design and presentation.
Amberlin Hsu’s work as lighting designer is able to change tones so efficiently that the lighting design allows juxtaposition from the dark formidable depths where some of the creatures dwell to a warm inviting comforting light that help provide the awe and magic of the production
Sam Kruger use of sound builds upon the mystery and uncertainly of the ocean depths that help immerse the production while helping capture the sounds that are familiar and expected for the ocean ascetic.
Finally, Jalisa Gonie as stage manager, Johanna Arnott as associate stage manager and associate producer, Frances Girard as technical producer, Whittyn Jason and Mac Brock as producer are instrumental to helping this production feel polished and confident.
Special thank you to Persephone Theatre, Heather Cant as Artistic Director and Kristi Friday as Artistic Associate for Youth Programming for supporting this production and giving a platform for queer and trans theatre and issues creating a fun and wonderful play for everyone.
This is a production that is as radiant and sparkling as its vibrant set design and puppet design. The story is fun, the characters are quirky, relatable and outrageous all anchored with a heartwarming message about acceptance, identity and inclusion and a soundtrack that is as enchanting as it is entertaining.
The Adventure of Young Turtle from So. Glad Arts is a limited engagement. The production runs from March 6-9th 2025 at Persephone Theatre’s Backstage Stage in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.. Tickets can be bought online here or at the box office .