“She rides a bike, just like everyone else. In fact, she is just like every other girl—except for the fact that she has freckles,” begins the play.

‘She’ is Freckleface Strawberry, the title character of Oakland University’s latest children’s musical, based on the book series written by actress Julianne Moore. 

This May, OU’s musical theatre students brought the book’s Broadway interpretation to life, performing for young audiences at both OU and elementary schools in the Oakland county area.

“This is the first musical I’ve done at OU,” said freshman Cassidy Temple, who played Freckleface in the May 18th show at the Varner Recital Hall. “I was in complete shock when the cast list came out, but it’s been so much fun and very interesting since it’s come together so fast.”

 After receiving their scripts, the double-cast fourteen-member crew only had two weeks to memorize lines and choreography before taking the 21-song show on the road to local elementary schools. 

“I’ve loved performing at the elementary schools,” said senior Jillian Hoffman, or “Ballet Girl” in the musical. “At our very first show, there was a little girl in the audience who screamed ‘You’re so good!’ and that was pretty special for me.”

For junior Anna Marck, getting in touch with her inner child was crucial to forming the role. 

“Playing towards the audience and letting ourselves be more like children helped us all to relate, I think,” she said.

Marck, who played three separate characters in the production, both children and adult, also had the added challenge of several quick costume changes. “It takes knowing the whole line of the show so I can plan ahead and know what exactly comes next,” she said. 

Freckleface Strawberry is based on the premise of self-acceptance, following one young girl (Temple) as she is picked on because of what makes her different—in this case, her ginger hair and freckles on her face. 

Throughout the play, however, the audience and Strawberry learn that everyone, in fact, is different in some way, teaching acceptance to the children.

“My character’s favorite line is ‘you do you,’” said junior Mitchell Aiello, or “Jake” in Freckleface. “I like that he’s so confident in himself and sets such a good example for the kids and everyone else.”

 For more information on upcoming performances from the Music, Theatre, and Dance department, visit oakland.edu/mtd.