New audience, new host for Prairie Berry Pie

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Prairie Berry Pie is back for a second season with a new host, and a new national audience.

The show, aimed at a pre-school audience, made its debut on the Saskatchewan Communications Network (SCN) in November 1999. The second season, which began Nov. 2, also airs on SCN, but is now also being broadcast on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN).

Saskatchewan actor Kennetch Charlette, a member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, has taken over hosting duties for the new season. Charlette plays a storyteller named David, a character he first played in guest spots during the first season.

"It's about David living on top of a grain elevator with two puppets, Sasha the skunk and Clementine the porcupine," said Charlette. Charlette has been involved in the performing arts for 14 years. He believes that theatre can be used as a tool for healing and as a vehicle to educate.

"The show is about teaching kids all kinds of things about everyday life. Everything from making sandwiches to doing things with boxes to things about Native culture-tipis, drumming and singing."

Each episode is different but involves the same main characters as well as new guests each time.

Joining Charlette and the puppets on a weekly basis are Kent Allen and Tom Rooney, who play brothers named Franklin and Gridley, and Melissa Hande, who plays David's friend Mackenzie.

"Franklin and Gridley, they are sort of like the comic relief, they play a whole host of characters, different characters all relating to the show," explained Charlette.

Rounding out the cast are puppeteers Janni Lauzon and Trish Leeper, who bring Sasha and Clementine to life.

"My favorite thing about the whole show is the interaction between David and the puppets because he treats the puppets like real people."

The show is produced by Minds Eye Pictures, Moose Jaw Light and Power, and Lots of Pie Productions.

Filmed in June at the CBC studios, the show was as fun to produce as it is for kids to watch.

"Oh, it was a blast. It was just such a great time," remembered Charlette. "You get to work with puppets, and you get to be silly, and you get to do crazy things, and just have a ball."

Even though the only Aboriginal people in the show are Charlette and puppeteer Lauzon, the series is intended to have an Aboriginal focus, and several episodes were written by Aboriginal writers.

"I do understand that it's going to be translated into four different languages, I was told. One is Cree, French and German, I think." Charlette said.

"We're hoping that the public will enjoy the show especially the pre-schoolers, and I think they will. If and when they do make a call for the show, then, we're hoping that it'll be picked up and it'll be an ongoing series."