'Yo, Vikings!': Action News story turned into book, now musical
UPPER DARBY, Pa. (WPVI) -- 'Yo, Vikings!' the musical is about a little girl in Swarthmore, Delaware County.
After reading a book on explorer Erik the Red, 9-year-old Emma Schachner became obsessed with Vikings.
Back in 1992, Action News did a report about Emma and her 7-year-old sister Sara's dream about having their very own Viking ship.
They heard about one that the Leif Erikson Society was trying to get rid of.
The society decided to either sell it for $7,500 or burn it in the old Viking tradition - but then along came Emma and Sara.
View the original Action News story from 1992!
Long story short, the society donated the boat to the girls, hoping it would be used as an educational tool for children.
Boy was it ever - Emma's mother Judy wrote a New York Times Best Selling children's book called 'Yo, Vikings!'
The book inspired others to create a musical. Young actors are putting on the show at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center.
Did she ever think it would get to this?
"No, the thought of writing an illustrative book and having that book turn into a wonderful musical? Dreams do come true though," said Judy Schachner, author.
The musical also features Dann Cuellar for his role in the story. He's played by high school actor Josh Angell.
How does Josh feel about playing a reporter?
"After practicing for three weeks, I've been told that I have a nice voice. I'm not sure how true that is, but I'm trying my best," he said.
So where are the Schachner sisters now?
Emma is a paleontologist and her sister is a Hollywood composer - and it all began with a Viking ship.
