

Mumblety Peg
Friday, February 24, 2023 @ 7:00 pm thru Sunday, February 26, 2023 @ 2:00 pm
Book by Ross Collins
Lyrics by Ross Collins & Miciah Dodge
Music by Miciah Dodge

Mumblety Peg (the show) is an original musical drama, and a 2004 ariZoni recipient. Written by award-winning team Ross Collins and Miciah Dodge, this is the poignant story of a high school young adult in crisis and is a retrospective of how he got there. Adolescent issues of depression, suicide, bullying, abuse, and loss are at its heart. Taking place in the 1970s, the edgy dialogue pulls heartstrings and illustrates that while a lot has changed since the 1970s, disturbing societal issues still remain today; proving we need to continue working towards change for the better good. Following each production, talk-backs with the audience are encouraged.
Mumblety Peg (the game), was started in the early 17th century, played with a pocket knife. Each player had to complete a series of throws with the knife. The winner pounds a peg into the ground; the loser puts his hands behind his back and “roots” the peg out of the ground with his teeth (also called “mumbling the peg”).
In the words of writer/director, Ross Collins…
“I chose “Mumblety Peg” as the central theme, and name of the show because sometimes, we can feel so beaten into the ground that the only way we can ever get out is by the skin of our teeth.”
Fountain Hills Youth Theater is grateful that The UBU Project has partnered with us for this production. Founded by Executive Director and Teaching Artist, David Simmons, The UBU project is a performing arts education outreach organization specializing in social-emotional performing arts integration (SEL-Arts) residencies in K12 schools, youth centers, group homes, and juvenile detention facilities. Their mission is: “The prevention of youth suicide, addiction, and bullying through social/emotional performing arts integration residencies.” Their interactive SEL curriculum remains focused on empowering students through The UBU Treasure Chest of hope, resilience, self-compassion, and empathy as taught through music & songwriting, movement, or theatre. A portion of each full-price ticket to Mumblety Peg will be donated to The UBU Project. Additionally, FHYT will be distributing information about The UBU Project at each production, and representatives from The UBU Project will be at the theater for select productions and talk-backs.
YABOY is an acronym for “Young Actors Benefiting Other Youth”, a program created by Youth Artistic Director Ross Collins. The goal of the program is to show young actors that their talents can have a positive impact on their peers and that their work can be used to help address social issues that young people encounter and offer channels and recourses to help deal with them.
TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE. Click above button to purchase.
To purchase by phone, call 480.837.9661, during box office hours. Groups discounts available.
Mumblety Peg is presented through special arrangement with R&M Publishing.