New Victory to Present U.S. Premieres of SALTBUSH & THE BALLAD OF PONDLIFE MCGURK in 2013-14 Season

The New Victory Theater, New York City's premier performing arts venue for kids and families, adds two shows to their 2013-14 season. Making U.S. premieres at The New Victory Theater, Saltbush, from Compagnia T.P.O. and Insite Arts, will run from May 30-June 8, 2014, and The Ballad of Pondlife McGurk, from Catherine Wheels Theater Company, will run from June 13-22, 2014. For both shows, audiences are seated on stage with the performers for a truly interactive theater experience.

"We are thrilled to invite audiences onto the New Victory stage where they can see the performances up close and even interact with the artists," says Mary Rose Lloyd, Director of Artistic Programming. She continues, "With every show we present, we aim to create a unique experience and a lasting memory for the kids and families that experience them, and these two pieces will do just that."

In Saltbush, kids are invited on a trek across the Australian outback to discover the language, lore and music of its indigenous culture, as they kick off their shoes and join the performers on a digitally interactive surface that responds in real-time to their every movement. From the creators of Butterfly Garden (New Vic 2010), Saltbush is directed by Davide Venturini and Jason Cross, and features dancers Rosealee Pearson and Sani Townson performing choreography by Deon Hastie with narration and additional performance by Jada Alberts. Saltbush has a running time of 50 minutes with no intermission and is recommended for everyone ages 5 and up.

In The Ballad of Pondlife McGurk, meet Martin and the quiet and quirky Simon McGurk, who spend every day together until Martin's gift for soccer coupled with a disastrous class field trip complicate their once simple friendship. From the school's most popular girl to the class bully, the wildly imaginative and captivating Andy Manley (White, Drama Desk nominee for Unique Theatrical Experience, New Vic 2011) plays every character in this heartwarming and humorous coming of age story by Manley, Rob Evans and Gill Robertson. The Ballad of Pondlife McGurk has a running time of 50 minutes with no intermission and is recommended for everyone ages 8 and up.

In addition to these added shows, remaining productions in the New Victory 2013-2014 Season include the World Premiere of Fiasco Theater's Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare from February 28 - March 16; the U.S. premieres of Still Awake Still!, a cabaret for kids (January 18 - January 20); Knee Deep by Brisbane's hottest new circus company Casus (March 21 - March 30); Hyperish, a fusion of dance styles from the Dutch street scene and club circuit taking the stage (May 9 - May 18); and the New York premieres of Bob Marley's Three Little Birds, a new musical based on a story by Cedella Marley featuring the music and lyrics of legendary reggae artist Bob Marley (February 7 - February 23), and the off-the-wall Fluff by Australian performance artist Christine Johnston (April 26 - May 4). Back by popular demand, Bello Nock returns with Bello Mania (April 4 - April 20), and young audiences will be captivated by This [Baby] Life for ages 4-18 months (February 12 - February 23) and Baby Rave for ages four months to four years (May 7 - May 18).

Tickets for Saltbush and/or The Ballad of Pondlife McGurk at The New Victory Theater (209 West 42nd Street) are $18 for Members and $25 at full price.

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. Purchase tickets online or by phone at 646-223-3010. The New Victory Theater 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 the New Victory website.