Sarah Bertram plays “Pippi Longstocking” during Theatre West Virginia’s opening night of “Pippi Longstocking” at Cliffside Amphitheater at Grandview.
BECKLEY, W.Va. — Get ready for the singing, dancing and high-energy antics of Pippi Longstocking at Theatre West Virginia’s final outdoor drama for the 2015 season.
A 21-year-old Western Illinois University musical theater major, Sarah Bertram, is starring as the young, rambunctious redhead.
The physicality of the role was challenging, she said, as she hasn’t played a kid character in quite some time.
Pippi is known for hopping around, doing cartwheels and flying off towers, so Bertram found herself a bit out of breath after rehearsing the first act.
She changed up her routine though, started some healthier eating habits and drank lots of water.
“It’s very physical, more so than I’ve ever done before. It really brings a new energy to the stage that I don’t typically get to do.”
Many of her castmates are closer to Pippi’s 12-year-old age range…
