New Victory Theater to Present ME AND MY SHADOW, 10/19-20

A shadow takes the lead role in Me and My Shadow, a visually rich and whimsical play by the renowned Patch Theatre Company (Pigs, Bears and Billy Goats Gruff, New Vic 2008), Australia's flagship theater company for children ages four to eight. A Helpmann Award winner for Best Presentation for Children in Australia, Me and My Shadow makes its U.S. Debut at The New Victory Theater, New York's premier performing arts venue for kids and families, for a limited engagement from October 19 - 20, 2013.

In a playground of paper, light, music and magic, a whimsical story about childhood friendship comes to life when one young girl meets a particularly sly and silly fellow-her shadow! Specifically crafted with younger kids in mind, Me and My Shadow was devised for a child's level of comprehension and perspective, and its deceptively clever staging is intriguing for all ages. By visualizing the world through the mind of young children and keeping collaboration and experimental play at the forefront of the creative process, the company focuses on making their work fresh, surprising and inspiring.

"Our job as theater-makers is to extend children's experience beyond what they already know by engaging them in the wonder of a multi-layered, poetic and enriching event," says Dave Brown, artistic director of Patch Theatre Company. Since its inception in 1972, the Adelaide-based company has created and performed 104 original works made for four to eight year old children.

Me and My Shadow started out exploring a single element; light. Through shadow theater and illusion, Patch formed a new leading role in the character of a shadow. "We aim to create sensory experiences with universal stories that appeal to both the young and the young at heart. We identified the playfulness of light as relatable and universal, appealing to many senses and comprehension levels," explains Brown.

Collaboratively created by Zoë Barry, Dave Brown, Geoff Cobham, Roz Hervey, Nathan O'Keefe, Astrid Pill and Bob Weatherly, Me and My Shadow is directed by Dave Brown, Roz Hervey and Geoff Cobham and stars Sarah Brokensha and Tim Overton. Zoë Barry is the composer and Geoff Cobham is the lighting and stage designer, while Gabby Hornhardt serves as stage manager. Bob Weatherly is technical manager and David Gadsden is production manager.

Watch a trailer of Me and My Shadow on the New Victory website.

Performance Schedule: 5 performances
Saturday 10/19 11am, 3pm and 7pm
Sunday 10/20 12pm and 5pm

Me and My Shadow has a running time of 45 minutes with no intermission, and is recommended for everyone ages four and older.

Tickets for Me and My Shadow at The New Victory Theater (209 West 42nd Street) cost $25, $18, $12 and $9 for Members and $38, $28, $18 and $14 at full price based on seat locations.

Theater-goers who buy tickets for three or more New Victory shows qualify for free Membership, with benefits including 35-percent savings on tickets all season long and unlimited free ticket exchanges. To purchase tickets online, visit NewVictory.org, and to purchase by phone, call 646-223-3010. The New VictoryTheater box office (209 West 42nd Street) is open Sunday and Monday from 11am-5pm and Tuesday through Saturday from 12pm-7pm. For more information, visit www.newvictory.org.