This Saturday afternoon we’re celebrating the world premiere of a highly original new work of art coming from Austin author & illustrator Brian Beattie and Valerie Fowler, Ivy and the Wicker Suitcase. This “Ear-Movie-Musical” is the story of eleven year old Ivy’s trip to the Underworld told with tunes, dialogue and sound effects, and accompanied by a beautiful fully illustrated book. Pop the CD into a player and follow along with the text and illustrations in the book as Ivy clambers into a hole to escape a flash flood in Austin in 1938, only to find herself descending into the depths of the Underworld where she meets a wild cast of characters.
A staggering list of talented musicians contributed to this story, including Bill Callahan, who is cast in the role of Everything, “…a Supreme Deity. He has been napping, so He’s a little groggy,” and Austin icon Daniel Johnston who performs as “The Big Boss”. Ivy is played by eleven year old Grace London.
The World Premiere this Saturday, January 11 at 5pm promises to be as robust an experience as the story itself: Brian Beattie, Grace London and Kathy McCarthy will perform songs from the musical. Beattie and Fowler will debut a “cranky” spool of illustrations created specifically for this premier. There will be poetry, a Q&A and, of course, a book signing. The event is free and open to the public, all ages are welcome.
We’re thrilled to celebrate this unique, perfectly Austin work of storytelling. If you can’t make it, we are taking orders for signed copies of Ivy and the Wicker Suitcase via bookpeople.com.
Here’s a lovely little video of the making of Ivy and the Wicker Suitcase:
BookPeople 