Theatreworks USA at The Kaye Playhouse Series to Continue with CHARLOTTE'S WEB This Weekend

Theatreworks USA will continue its 2016 weekend family performance series this Saturday, February 27th, with Charlotte's Web, a play by Joseph Robinette based on the Newbery Medal-winning book by E.B. White (Stuart Little, Trumpet of the Swan) with an incidental music score by Jeffrey Lunden (winner of the Lortel Award, Rodgers Award, and Jonathan Larson Award, and composer of Theatreworks USA productions of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Little Prince, and The Great Railroad Race). This 60-minute play is recommended for audiences age 5 and up.

Charlotte's Web is based on E.B. White's loving story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray spider named Charlotte. Wilbur has a problem: how to avoid winding up as pork chops! Charlotte, a fine writer and true friend, hits on a plan to fool Farmer Zuckerman -- she will create a "miracle." Spinning the words "Some Pig" in her web, Charlotte weaves a solution which not only makes Wilbur a prize pig, but ensures his place on the farm forever. This treasured tale, featuring mad-cap and endearing farm animals, explores bravery, selfless love, and the true meaning of friendship

Hannah Richter, Maggie D'Ambrose, Eamon Goebel, Aaron F. Brateman, and Josh Saleh star. Scenic design is by James D. Sandefur and costume design is by Anne-Marie Wright. Musical direction is by Nathan Dame.

Joseph Robinette received Tony Award and Drama Desk Award nominations for the libretto of the acclaimed A Christmas Story, The Musical. He is the author or co-author of 55 published plays and musicals. His works have been produced at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Broadway, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, the BBC in Britain, in all 50 states and in 21 foreign countries. Twelve of his works have been translated into foreign languages, and another five have been anthologized. Robinette collaborated with E.B. White on the authorized stage version of Charlotte's Web, and he wrote the musical version with Charles Strouse (Annie, Bye, Bye, Birdie). Other dramatizations include The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Anne of Green Gables and Debbie Macomber's A Gift to Last and The Inn at Rose Harbor. He is the recipient of the American Alliance for Theatre and Education's Distinguished Play Award for Sarah, Plain and Tall and the Children's Theatre Foundation of America medallion for his "body of dramatic works for family audiences in the United States and beyond."

Theatreworks USA at The Kaye Playhouse Series features eight different productions over 11 weekends this season, each offering one-hour weekend performances recommended for children four and up. Remaining performances are:

March 13: Page Turner Adventures' The Mixed-Up Fairy Tale presents hilarious storytelling with a touch of vaudeville, featuring Riley Roam as?"World Famous Storyologist" Page Turner and former Ringling Bros. clown Kenny Mikey as her bumbling assistant.

March 19: Junie B.'s Essential Survival Guide to School

March 26: Seussical

April 3: Henry and Mudge

April 24: Skippyjon Jones Snow What based on the book by Judy Schachner, features a libretto and lyrics by Kevin Del Aguila and a score by Eli Bolin. Skippyjon Jones Snow What premiered Off-Broadway in July 2015 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre.

May 1: Curious George: The Golden Meatball, a musical based on the books by Margaret and H.A. Rey and the play owned by Universal Stage Productions, features a book by Jeremy Desmon with original music by John Kavanaugh.

The Kaye Playhouse is located at East 68th Street between Park & Lexington Avenues. Tickets for all performances will be $25. Discounted rates for groups of 4 or more are available as well. Tickets may be purchased online: www.hunter.cuny.edu/kayeplayhouse, by phone at 212/772-4448, and in person at the box office, which is open from Noon-6pm, Monday through Saturday.