"There's always a rush of excitement, not just for the kids, but for me," said the Bucks County native, who is front and center in the touring production of "Disney Playhouse Live," the stage show based on a cluster of Disney Channel's most popular pre-school programming. The show touches down at the Wachovia Spectrum on Saturday for three shows.
"It's not just about getting their attention - it's about keeping it," she said.
Ms. Shumsonk's opening words set the tone for the show: "I always tell the kids that I need them to play with me, to be part of the show, and generally they love that. I find that the parents are a bit more reluctant to get up and dance in the aisles!"
Like Ms. Shumsonk, Alana Feld recognizes that entertaining kids is not, well, kids' stuff. As the producer of "Disney Live Playhouse," Ms. Feld spent months working with researchers and writers to get the right formula for helping pre-schoolers experience experience live theater in a positive way.
"We actually wanted to keep some learning themes in the forefront, especially the idea that music can be found anywhere in the world," said Ms. Feld, who had a fine mentor herself. She is the daughter of major producer Kenneth Feld, who is responsible for bringing the Ringling Bros Circus and many of the touring Disney productions to audiences seeking G-rated entertainment.
"My father has been a wonderful teacher for me, and through him, I've seen what impact good entertainment can have on even very young children," said Ms. Feld, who has already produced another Feld show, "Doodlebops Live." The target audience for these productions is three to five-year-olds - not the most predictable of audiences.
The advantage in the Playhouse production is that many toddlers are already conversant with the characters and story lines from TV.
"They'll feel as if the 'Playhouse Disney' stars jumped out of the screen and onto the stage right before their eyes," said Ms. Feld.
The premise is that Mickey, Minnie and Goofy are inviting some of their Playhouse Disney pals to a musical party. Playing the pivotal role of the "Postess" Ms. Shumsonk is charged with delivering the party invitations, with adventures in such far-flung places as China, Russia, Africa, Japan and Italy. Lots of things happen along the way that keep the kids singing and dancing with the cast and caught up in the spirit of the odyssey.
"It's amazing how quickly the little ones get caught up in the story and want to join in. This is that age when there are no inhibitions, and it's just wonderful to watch them ham it up," said Ms. Shumsonk, who is drinking a lot of coffee these days to keep up her energy.
"It is definitely exhausting, but the spirit of it makes it all worthwhile," she said. "For me, it's been a joyful experience. And that's just what I hope it is for the kids."
Playhouse Disney Live is at the Wachovia Spectrum on Saturday only. Performances are at noon, 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $17, $26 $34 and $53 and are on sale through ComcastTIX.com, 1-800-298-4200 and at the Wachovia Box Office.