Spikey’s Points!

About the Book

“Spikey’s Points” is a fable about a poetic porcupine with mostly ‘good points,’ sharing many life lessons. Spikey is bullied and ostracized, but has chosen to be the ‘park peacemaker,” with his mentor Grammy. By being kind and helpful, they make the world a better place, and encourage others to keep their faith in humanity.

ALL STAR CAST: Back Row: LARRY Law, Coach BOB, Ms SARAH Bell, MR. T (Joe Taylor) The STAR represents Music STAR: (male or female in Sequel 1 only) GRAMMY (Mary) SPIKEY, MISTY. Front Row: Brothers: MARK & BEN Law, KERI Bell, LISA, Sisters: SALLY & TIA, PUNKY, JESSICA, VP Ms Radcliffe & daughter ROBYN.

“Spikey, the all positive star of this musical, is a 6 foot tall porcupine, who speaks in rhymes. The energetic singing and dancing of the 20 local performers, aged 8 to 55, keep young audiences entertained throughout!” Kevin Prokosh, Winnipeg Free Press

“My Kindergarteners enjoyed the music and Spikey himself!” Shara Ewasiuk, Kindergarten Teacher

“Spikey opens stage doors for all ranges, ages and sizes of actors. The musical features powerful messages concerning inclusion and anti-bullying, appealing to all audiences - Katherine Quinton, K-12 Teacher, Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada

Thank you for coming to Brandon! I have enjoyed many Spikey performances and no two are ever exactly the same. Love the diversity!! My 3 year old granddaughter had fun and lasted at least 45 minutes and after a little activity break was able to enjoy the final song reaching to the sky : ) She loved the audience participation. My 29 year old daughter in law thought it was humorous. My 80 year old mom enjoyed it and like myself, was so impressed with the rhyme and music with so much meaning!! So it really is a generational presentation with something for everyone!! Best of all, it promotes such great values!! Shelly Gurr, EA, Brandon School Division Performance K-6 / Community Living, June 2015.

About the Author

Joy appreciates the similarities between acting/directing and writing. The parallels are similar as both fields create and layer characters. Likewise with her painting, she feels you can create colorful characters and images with effective subtle and forceful lines. Joy is an artist, author, songwriter, director, producer, and actor. She’s been involved as a coordinator, writer, and choreographer for provincial, national, and international sporting events. Her acting includes leads as Molly in The Mousetrap, The Snow Queen, and Izzy in Crossing Delancey. She played both the aunt and mother of the bride in the musical Tony and Tina’s Wedding.

She’s a farmer’s daughter and is the eldest of five. When she first moved to the farm, after grade two, she felt lonely. She created a little park and called it People’s Park, for herself and siblings. Her dad added tire swings. It became her oasis of peace and happy place, following chores and homework. The park became the foundational setting for all the Spikey sequels. Joy was a former cheerleader and aerobic dance and fitness instructor. Her background and training was in psychology, commercial/graphic arts, fitness, theater, and business. She’s retired, following forty years of employment—first in newspapers, printing/sign companies, and a second career with the school division. She continues to sub within the schools and volunteers to produce Spikey within a nonprofit organization. Joy’s employment as an educational assistant in the school division introduced her to a palette of personalities! Many teachers, students, and parents she met painted her writing brush! Joy enjoyed writing the Spikey sequels! Spikey became her passion and creative outlet, involving both the script and the stage! Joy and her husband of almost thirty years reside in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They have one very loved and cherished son, Andrew.