The Story…

A group of friends set off on a journey through the forest to visit their friend, Tammy the Troll. Along their adventure, they must travel beneath shimmering spider webs, wind their way through tangled tree roots, climb up and down rugged mountains, and float along a rushing river. Fortunately, they are helped by the magical residents of the forest—Spiders, Talking Trees, the Foothill Folk, clever Mice, and playful River Tributaries. It is a thrilling and challenging journey, but one that proves well worth the effort to reach their beloved friend, Tammy.

About the Artistic Staff

Founded in 1995 by husband-and-wife creative team Bob Gribas and Angela Rinaldi-Gribas, Variety Plus has been bringing original musical theatre to life for over three decades. Blending Angela’s dance and musical expertise with Bob’s imaginative design and storytelling skills, the pair have written, directed, and produced dozens of original adaptations of classic children’s tales.

Their work has toured extensively across the United States and Canada with Missoula Children’s Theatre, Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre, and Small Change Theatre. They have also led workshops, classes, and productions with a wide range of arts organizations and schools, including Seattle Children’s Theatre, Youth Theatre Northwest, Kidstage Everett, Stone Soup Theatre, Spectrum Dance Theater, Bellevue High School, and Chinook Middle School, among many others. They are delighted to collaborate with Dina on this premiere production.

Renowned author and choreographer Dina McDermott, whose beloved book inspired this production, brings her artistic vision to the stage as choreographer. McDermott is widely celebrated as the lead Creative Movement teacher at Pacific Northwest Ballet School, where she has taught for more than twenty-five years. Her literary works include the acclaimed adult nonfiction book A Dancer’s Diary: Around the World in Thirteen Dances (2017) and the memoir Birds of a Feather (2021).

Variety Plus Mission Statement … Variety Plus provides young people and adults an opportunity to perform with a diverse and multi-generational cast, creating a positive theatrical experience and a confidence-building ensemble, 

based on mutual respect.