HAILEY- Fee! Fie! Fo! Fum! Jack's coming - full of fun.

The beloved childhood fable "Jack and the Beanstalk" will sprout on the stage of the Liberty Theatre in a musical retelling Oct. 8-26.

And, with it, all the seeds of the imagination from an oversized cow puppet named Bessie to a beanstalk in human form.

The play has elements of the original fairy tale: A little boy goes to market where he trades the family cow for five magic beans, which his mother throws on the ground. The beans then turn into a beanstalk, which Jack climbs into the heavens where he encounters an oafish giant and a singing harp.

Think that's fantastical?

You should see it through the imagination of an energetic boy who has been banished to the barn for the day! In this version, the little boy begins reading the story of "Jack and the Beanstalk," only to dream up his own version.

Audiences will see hints of his mother and father in the characters he dreams up.

"This is about imagination and creativity and literacy," says director John Glenn, one of the Company of Fools' core artists.

"It takes place in the Depression era of the '30s - a time before TVs, before computers - a time when kids relied more on their imagination," adds actress Jana Arnold.

Glenn oversaw the origination of the script 20 years ago while serving as associate art director for Theater IV. The Richmond, Va., theater company is the largest touring children's theater in the nation, sending up to 20 tours on the road at any time.

The script was written by Douglas Jones, who also wrote the script for "Town and Country Mouse," "The Pied Piper" and the version of "A Christmas Carol" that Company of Fools staged a few years ago. Jones also wrote the book for the musical "Bojangles."

It stars Aly Wepplo, who appeared in "The Spitfire Grill" and "Doubt," as Jack. Rachel Abrams, who just finished the national tour of "Gypsy," which made a stop in Boise, will also guest star.

Andrew Alburger, who played Frog in "Frog and Toad," will portray the giant, among other characters. Arnold, a former TV actress who has appeared in "Noises Off," "The Spitfire Grill" and other Fools' productions, will take on four characters, including Jack's Mom.

R.L. Rowsey will lead Alyssa Hersey and Tom Nash as they accompany the actors in "Fee! Fie! Fo! Fum!" "The Giant Song" and other catchy numbers he promises audience members won't be able to get out of their heads.

Glenn fashioned the cow and the golden egg-laying hen puppets, while Boise State University theater professor Ann Hoste designed and built a variety of colorful costumes.

Recommended for those preschool-aged and up, the play will enchant adults as well.

"The writer definitely has his tongue planted firmly in his cheek," says Glenn. "Kids will enjoy it on one level and adults on another."

The Fools have discounted regular ticket prices to make it easier for families to attend. Adult tickets have been discounted from $25 to $20 and tickets for those 18 and younger from $15 to $10.

"Plus, we're hoping a lot of people will come out for our Pay What You Can Pay night on Oct. 8," says R.L. Rowsey. "Pay a dollar a ticket - we don't care, as long as you come see the play."

A representative of Idaho's Bounty will hold a short discussion with youngsters about growing things following the two 11 a.m. Saturday matinees - just so you know, Jack uses only organic magic beans.

Cast members will also field questions from the audience on those two occasions.