The Petra & Mo Show Review

This August, the Whitefield Library was delighted to welcome Andrew Simon and his professional team of performers and organizers. A musical puppet performance on tour from MDI arrived in Whitefield one windy day and packed the house with warmth and laughter. What an amazing show! In a matter of minutes, the audience, with standing room only, was engaged in the storytelling of Mo, a mouse, and Petra, a Giraffe. Reminiscing of the first time they met; Petra had arrived on the wind one day by hot air balloon and now these two new friends were preparing to put on a show. Together, with full audience engagement, they danced, chanted and sang about the strength of friendship and the courage to do something they’ve never done before. All eyes were on the perfectly set stage and there were ear to ear smiles from dozens of children, and adults. Petra and Mo commanded our attention and wiggled and stomped with even the most timid of toddlers. 

To say the weather this summer has been something of a disappointment would be an understatement. This time of year is all about the outdoor events. You’d be wise to carry a blanket and camp chair in your trunk all season. The Petra and Mo Show coming  to the Whitefield Library was planned as an outdoor event. Actor and creator, Andrew Simon, reached out to the library in the early spring and asked if we’d be interested in having them join our Summer Programming. We were definitely on board, and we were thankfully awarded a grant from the Maine Humanities Council to help secure this gig. The day arrived and the weather, though sunny and warm at midday, showed signs of hail and thundershowers during the time of the show. Without the ability to postpone we made a decision to host it indoors. 

Perhaps it was meant to be because not only was the show fantastic and the audience happy, but we all got a taste for what is to come once the upstairs renovation has taken place. At the Whitefield Library, we look forward to bringing our community exciting programming and events. Stay tuned for more happenings and reach out if you’d like to support the renovation of our second floor community space.