The musical is based on Sometimes I Get the Wiggles, a book written by Andee Cooper. Cooper is a native Bristownian and the daughter of Chip Cooper.Andee wrote the chilren's book right after her son, Kannon, was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy called Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. A healthy kid, Kannon began having seizures at the age of four. If there is one thing we all know about epilepsy, with epilepsy comes seizures. They began to call Kannon's seizures “wiggles”.
Cooper has toured the country with her award winning children's book, speaking on diversity in public education and single parenting as a mom of a child with special needs.
Chapman Shields, a family friend and theater artist, was introduced to the book by a mutual acquaintance. He loved the purpose of the book, to take something like epilepsy and come up with a way to help people understand more about the disease. The musical was originally composed as a 45 minute play that would travel to schools but after hearing more about the story, Shields decided to make it a full length musical.
Don't miss out on this world premier musical “Kannon Gets The Wiggles” when it comes to the Freeland Center for Performing Arts, June 20-22, 2025. Show times will be Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets for the show are available at Etix.com or by calling the box office at (918) 637-3540.