Theatreworks Offers Chalfant, Cryer & Ford, Etc. in '06-'07

TheatreworksUSA, the leading not-for-profit professional theatre for family audiences, has announced its 45th anniversary season. 

The 2006-2007 mainstage season at Off-Broadway's Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher St.) will feature the world premiere stage adaptation of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations, starring Tony Award-nominee and Drama Desk Award winner Kathleen Chalfant (Angels in America, Wit), the New York premiere musical adaptation of Cynthia Rylant's best-selling children's book series Henry and Mudge (written by Brian Lowdermilk and Kait Kerrigan), and the world premiere musical adaptation of Lucy Maud Montgomery's classic novel, Anne of Green Gables (written by Gretchen Cryer and Nancy Ford).

Additionally, TheatreworksUSA will offer its "Special Presentation Series," featuring 12 unique weekend performances presented throughout the season, including interactive storytelling, music, dance, poetry, magic shows, puppetry and more, designed for children ages four and up.

Chalfant will star in the world premiere stage adaptation of Dickens' famous semi-autobiographical novel Great Expectations, "which follows a young orphan boy through adulthood, navigating London's society circles and his relationships with a wealthy woman and her haughty adopted daughter," according to TheatreworksUSA notes.  Directed by Will Pomerantz (Godot Has Left the Building), the show is adapted for the stage by Bathsheba Doran (Living Room in Africa), with incidental music by independent film composer Michael Picton. Additional casting will be announced.

Preview performances begin Wednesday, November 8th, for an opening on November 16th; the show will run through December 3rd.

Henry and Mudge, in its New York premiere musical adaptation, is "based on Cynthia Rylant's best-selling picture books about a boy and his dog as they explore their new neighborhood and share a year full of adventures." Henry and Mudge features book and lyrics by Kait Kerrigan and music by Brian Lowdermilk (The Woman Upstairs). It is directed by Peter Flynn and choreographed by Devanand Janki, the team behind TheatreworksUSA's 2004 hit, Junie B. Jones. Casting will be announced.

Preview performances begin Wednesday, December 13th for a December 18th opening at 7 PM.  The limited engagement ends Sunday, January 21, 200

With Anne of Green Gables, Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery's cherished young adult classic novel, beloved by all generations, is re-imagined as a stage musical. "Follow the journey of the wildly independent and adventurous red-haired orphan, Anne Shirley, who is mistakenly sent to live with an elderly bachelor and his spinster sister to help with the family farm." Directed by Tyler Marchant (India Awaiting), the world premiere stage adaptation of Anne of Green Gables features book and lyrics by Gretchen Cryer and music by Nancy Ford (I'm Getting My Act Together…). Casting will be announced.

Previews begin Wednesday, March 21st.  Opening Night is Thursday, March 29, 2007 at 7 p.m.; the show plays a limited engagement through May 6th.

The season will offer the "Special Presentation Series," which is a 12-performance roster of varied one-hour weekend arts presentations, specially designed for children ages 4 and up. All performances begin at 10:30 a.m. The series includes:

• Goowin's Balloowins in Snow White and the Eight Dwarfs – Saturday, November 18

• Soh Daiko: Japanese Taiko Drums – Sunday, November 19

 • The Gizmo Guys – Saturday, November 25 and Sunday, November 26

 • Sound Stories: Storytelling in Classical Music – Saturday, December 2

 • Season's Greetings Magic Show – Sunday, December 17

 • Alex, King of the Jesters – Saturday, March 31, 2007

 • Birds & Butterflies (Stories and Songs with Chris & Frank) – Saturday, April 7

 • Jim West in Aesop's Fables – Saturday, April 14

 • Jim West in Dinosaurs! – Sunday, April 15

 • Bubblemania – Saturday, April 21

 • Rebecca Frezza in Big Truck Music – Sunday, April 22

Tickets for all TheatreworksUSA presentations, including the "Special Presentations Series" are $25 each. Tickets are now available at www.TicketCentral.com or by calling 212-279-4200. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the Lucille Lortel Theatre Box Office.  Discount packages are also available for multi-show, multi-ticket buyers.

Visit www.TheatreworksUSA.org for more information.