Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts Announces 2013-14 Family Performances

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College has announced the continuation of its partnership with Target to bring quality, affordable, and family-friendly performing arts programming to the diverse cultural communities of Brooklyn as part of its 2013-2014 season.

The centerpiece of Brooklyn Center's 2013-2014 family programming will be theTarget Storybook Series of performances based on classic and contemporary children's literature, with titles including The Little Engine That Could Earns Her Whistle; Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day; A Brown Bear, a Moon, and a Caterpillar: Treasured Stories by Eric Carle; andThe Wizard of Oz. The series aims to encourage the development of strong reading skills at home in children ages four to eight. Online resources such as literacy-based activity sheets and Parents' Guides will give parents the opportunity to engage their children prior to attending the performances, and then again after seeing each show.

"We are thrilled to partner with Target to introduce Brooklyn's young audiences to these exciting live adaptations of children's books," said Jon Yanofsky, Director of Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts. "Our aim with the Target Storybook Series is to not only entertain and create strong family memories, but also to assist more children in reaching a strong level of reading proficiency by the end of the third grade."

In addition to the Target Storybook Series, Brooklyn Center will present other family-friendly shows including the holiday favorite The Colonial Nutcracker,the Golden Dragon Acrobats' Cirque Ziva, a free performance of The Beauty of Ballet (in partnership with the School of American Ballet), and Sid the Science Kid - Live!, which will be the centerpiece of Brooklyn Center's seventh annual National Grid Earth Day Celebration. All seats for BCBC's 2013-2014 Target Storybook Series will be $7-$10. Tickets to other family programs vary with a 50% discount available to children 12 and under for select performances.

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts' 2013-2014 family performances include:

• ArtsPower National Touring Theater's The Little Engine That CouldEarns Her Whistle
• Dance Theatre in Westchester's The Colonial Nutcracker
• ??????????("The Snow Maiden," a Russian-language holiday show)
• Theaterworks USA's Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
• Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company's Lunar New Year Celebration
• The Beauty of Ballet (co-presented with the School of American Ballet)
• Cirque Ziva
• Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia's A Brown Bear, a Moon, and a Caterpillar: Treasured Stories by Eric Carle
• Sid the Science Kid - Live!
• Seventh annual National Grid Earth Day Celebration
• American Family Theater's The Wizard of Oz

ArtsPower National Touring Theater's

The Little Engine That Could Earns Her Whistle

Sunday, November 17, 2013 at 2pm

Little Blue Engine dreams of someday leaving the train yard to pull the big cars on the main line track. But can she convince Big Silver that she is worthy of being a main line engine? ArtsPower's dynamic, song-filled adventure portrays Watty Piper's timeless tale about hard work, determination, and the meaning of true friendship. A Target Storybook Series presentation recommended for ages four and up.

Tickets: $7

The Colonial Nutcracker

Sunday, December 15, 2013 at 2pm

An annual holiday favorite, Dance Theatre in Westchester performs its family-friendly, full-length version of Tchaikovsky's ballet set in wintry colonial Yorktown, complete with a red-coated mouse army, an enchanted nutcracker prince, and simultaneous narration to help young audience members enjoy this timeless classic. Recommended for ages four and up.

Tickets: $10

??????????(The Snow Maiden)

Presented in association with Anton Krylov

Sunday, December 22, 2013 at 4pm

Enjoy this magical Christmas musical in which a worthy young girl is transformed by Grandfather Frost (the Russian Santa Claus) into the beautiful Snow Maiden. Traditional Russian songs, dances and elaborate costumes create a winter wonderland in this delightful children's extravaganza. Performed in Russian with English subtitles. Recommended for ages six and up.

Tickets: $35-$50

Theaterworks USA's

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Sunday, January 12, 2014 at 2pm

Have you ever had a really rotten day? Alexander has. There's no dessert in his lunch box, there's lima beans for dinner, and worst of all, there's kissing on television! Laugh and sing along with Alexander's misadventures in this hilarious musical, featuring book and lyrics by best-selling author Judith Viorst. A Target Storybook Series presentation recommended for ages four and up.

Tickets: $7

Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company's

Lunar New Year Celebration

Sunday, January 26, 2014 at 3pm

Celebrate the Year of the Horse with this colorful performance that weaves the grace and splendor of traditional Chinese arts with the contemporary freedom of American modern dance. Recipient of China's prestigious

Golden Lotus Award, choreographer Nai-Ni Chen and her company will take you on a visually delightful, culturally rich tour of this fascinating 3,000-year-old civilization.

Tickets: $30 for adults, $15 for children

In collaboration with the School of American Ballet

The Beauty of Ballet

Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 2pm

Join students and faculty of the world-famous School of American Ballet (the official academy of New York City Ballet) in this program illustrating the process by which talented youngsters develop into accomplished classical ballet dancers. Your children will watch a "class" where training exercises and steps are demonstrated, and also enjoy excerpts from famous ballets. A free event recommended for ages four and up. General admission, no tickets issued.

Cirque Ziva

Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 3pm

Performed by the internationally-celebrated Golden Dragon Acrobats, this fast-paced, technically-innovative performance showcases traditional Chinese acrobatics, dance and costumes, ancient and contemporary music and modern theatrical techniques. The renowned acrobats dazzle with amazing feats of athleticism, daring heart-stopping stunts and the grace of their centuries old art form.

Tickets: $35 for adults, $17.50 for children

Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia's

A Brown Bear, a Moon, and a Caterpillar: Treasured Stories by Eric Carle

Sunday, March 16, 2014 at 2pm

The Little Caterpillar with the big appetite returns to Brooklyn! Featuring evocative music, stunning visual effects and innovative puppetry, this triple-bill brings to life three of Eric Carle's most beloved tales: The Very Hungry Caterpillar; Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?; and Papa, Please Get the Moon For Me. A Target Storybook Series presentation for ages four and up.

Tickets: $7

Sid the Science Kid - Live!

Sunday, April 6, 2014 at 2pm

In this new musical adventure based on the popular PBS Kids series, Sid and his friends set off on a day of scientific exploration, asking curious questions and discovering why things work the way they do. Full of audience participation, great music, and content based on national science learning standards, Sid the Science Kid - Live! will have your kids laughing and learning at the same time! A Target Storybook Series presentation for ages four and up.

Tickets: $10

Seventh Annual National Grid Earth Day Celebration

Sunday, April 6, 2014 at 3pm

Children and adults alike will enjoy live music, arts and crafts, and street performers at this free community festival, where interactive family activities highlight the need for creating a more sustainable future and caring for the earth. General admission, no tickets issued.

American Family Theater's

The Wizard of Oz

Sunday, May 18, 2014 at 2pm

American Family Theater, one of the nation's leading producers of musicals for young audiences, presents everyone's favorite story about Dorothy's adventures over the rainbow as she follows the yellow brick road with the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion towards the Emerald City and the mysterious Wizard who can help her get home. A Target Storybook Series presentation for ages four and up.

Tickets: $7

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts' 2013-2014 Target StorybookSeries is sponsored by Target.

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
Walt Whitman Theatre at Brooklyn College
2/5 trains to Brooklyn College/Flatbush Avenue
Online orders: BrooklynCenterOnline.org

Box Office: (718) 951-4500

Groups of 15 or more: (718) 951-4600, ext. 3331

About Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts

Founded in 1954, the mission of Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts is to present outstanding performing arts and arts education programs, reflective of Brooklyn's diverse communities, at affordable prices. Brooklyn Center's presentations explore both the classical traditions and the boldest contemporary performances, embracing the world culture that defines Brooklyn. Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts welcomes over 70,000 people to the 2,400-seat Walt Whitman Theatre each season, and boasts one of the largest arts education programs in the borough, serving 46,000 schoolchildren from over 300 schools annually with its SchoolTime series. In recognition of its commitment to quality family programming, Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts has been recognized as both Brooklyn's Best Theater or Theater Group for Kids andBrooklyn's Best Place for Family Bonding by Nickelodeon's ParentsConnect Parents' Picks Awards.