On December 10th, an old favorite and an exciting new addition to the New York family theatre scene will be giving something back. Manhattan Movement and Arts Center, the new Off-Broadway destination for family theatre, will be donating all proceeds from the 3 PM performance of Freckleface Strawberry and the 5 PM performance of the new show Peter PANtomime to Save the Children. It’s a great way to take advantage of some terrific family theatre while supporting an important cause this holiday season.
My daughter and I saw Freckleface when it was at New World Stages last year and it became, according to my daughter, the show to which all others would be compared. Click HERE to read about our experience with this timely musical based on actress Julianne Moore’s well-known children’s books about self acceptance and tolerance. We’re absolutely thrilled to see it back, this time at Manhattan Movement and Arts Center.
MMAC was developed by Rose Caiola as the home of the Manhattan Youth Ballet, a not for profit, pre-professional training ground for young dancers, many of whom have gone on to become members of some of the most reputable dance companies in the world. Caiola realized her vision of an expanded studio and theatre complex in June of 2008 when she brought MMAC to its new, dramatic, bi-level space on West 60th St. The center now hosts a number of family friendly shows including The Amazing Max and the Box of Interesting Things and the ever popular Pinkalicious, both of which were huge hits with my kids.
It was Rose’s idea to graciously (and generously) donate the proceeds from the December 10th shows to Save the Children, the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need in the United States and around the world. Caiola will also be donating proceeds from a future performance of The Amazing Max and the Box of Interested Things.
“My family and I have always been strong supporters of Save the Children,” she told me. “Especially with the wonderful values inspiring good self esteem and the celebration of diversity with an emphasis on anti-bullying, I thought Freckleface Strawberry would be a wonderful show to connect to the Save the Children cause.”
Peter PANtomime is playing a limited (weekend long) engagement at MMAC as a special holiday workshop. Presented by kids, for kids, with singing, dancing and a lot of tapping, this hour-long show hopes to create a new holiday tradition with its creative retelling of the story of Peter Pan.
You can see both shows at their regular prices (hurry if you want to catch Peter PANtomime next weekend!), or you can be a part of the holiday giving by attending the special benefit performances on December 10th. You’ll be catching a great show and giving to an amazing cause, and I’m told you might be in for some celebrity sightings as well!
GET TO THE POINT, MOM!
