By rights the little redheaded spitfire eponymous heroine of the 1945 book "Pippi Longstocking" now should be well into her senior years. But she stays eternally young because generations of new fans discover her and if your kids count themselves in the Pippi possee, catch American Family Theatre's production starring Astrid Lindgren's popular character at Ridgefield Playhouse on May 21. For kids, Pippilotta Delicatessa Windowshade Macrelmint Ephraim's Daughter Longstocking (aka Pippi ) is a fascinating, impulse indulging bold creature with a highly unusual and sometimes enviable, lifestyle. An orphan, she lives by herself with a horse and monkey in an old abandoned villa. Her father is a pirate, or so she believes, and her mother is in heaven. Pippi claims the title as the strongest girl in the world (she does carry her horse.) According to childrensbooksabout.com, Pippi figured in stories Lindgren, a Swedish reporter, editor and writer, told her children that she also had heard growing up. Later, she transcribed and embellished them to produce the Pippi books.
Pippi's orphan status and freewheeling lifestyle caused some critics to suggest the books endorsed permissive childrearing. Lindgren rejected the charge. "I don't consciously try to influence the children who read my books," she said. "All I dare hope for is that they may contribute a little bit towards a humane and democratic view of the world in the children who read them." Meet Pippi in American Family Theater's production on May 21 which the NY Times called "engaging" and "[bursting] with energy, song and special effects." Performances take place at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets are $15. For more information, visit the Playhouse's website.
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