Puppets navigate dreary Cementland in Frog Belly Rat Bone at Anvil Theatre, March 8 and 9

Children’s show based on book by Timothy Basil Ering teaches of the beauty that can come from a little effort and patience

By emily lyth

Oliver Castillo (left) and Jyla Robinson in Frog Belly Rat Bone. Photo by Ross den Otter (Pink Monkey Studios)

Anvil Theatre presents Axis Theatre Company’s Frog Belly Rat Bone on March 8 and 9 at 1 pm

HEARING THE TITLE Frog Belly Rat Bone conjures up a mishmash of graphic imagery, much of which is slimy and grotesque in nature. But in reality, Axis Theatre Company’s production highlights an artform that’s much more palatable: beautifully handcrafted puppets.

Performers Steffanie Davis and Paige Fraser are garbage collectors in Cementland who tell the story of a young boy hoping to find treasure. When the boy discovers an envelope containing “hundreds of tiny grey specks”—which turn out to be flower seeds—and scatters them on the ground to grow, he must subsequently protect his newfound treasure from junkyard thieves. Thus spawns Frog Belly Rat Bone: his own DIY guard, crafted from a mildewy jumble of stinky socks, decaying pillow stuffing, and wire scraps.

Ultimately, Frog Belly Rat Bone speaks to the importance of patience, as Cementland’s bleak grey landscape is transformed by a rainbow array of flowers thanks to the boy’s efforts. The collection of characters fashioned by seasoned puppeteer Dusty Hagerud help tell the story with adorably animated depth.

Axis Theatre Company’s production is based on the children’s book The Story of Frog Belly Rat Bone by Timothy Basil Ering, who is known for his pencil illustrations in the Newbery Medal-winning book The Tale of Despereaux, authored by Kate DiCamillo.

Be sure to stick around after the 45-minute-long show at the Anvil Theatre for a Q&A session with the artists.  

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