Theatreworks USA at The Kaye Playhouse Series to Continue with HENRY AND MUDGE, 2/13

Theatreworks USA will continue its 2016 weekend family performance series this Saturday, February 13th, with Henry and Mudge? was adapted by bookwriter/lyricist Kait Kerrigan and composer/lyricist Brian Lowdermilk (Jonathan Larson Award-winners) and is based on the best-selling books by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Suçie Stevenson. Henry and Mudge premiered Off-Broadway in July 2006 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. This 60-minute musical is recommended for ages 4 and up.

Moving from the city to a new house in the country can be tough. Just ask Henry, who can't find a playmate in his new neighborhood! Luckily, he's got Mudge, a great big, 182-pound canine buddy, with whom he can share all kinds of adventures! Henry discovers that having a pet is a big responsibility -- they need to be fed, they need to be taken out for walks, and of course they need lots of love and playtime! And when the dog is as big as Mudge is, they also need good training. Henry teaches his new friend to sit, heel, and shake his hand, but rolling over is one trick Henry just can't seem to teach Mudge, no matter how hard he tries. When Henry's cousin Annie comes for a visit, Mudge is so charmed by her that he finally rolls over at her command! Henry thinks Mudge must love Annie more than him, because the dog only does the trick for her. Very upset, Henry runs away into the cold dark woods to find adventures on his own. Mudge follow's the boy's scent into the forest -- he really does love Henry and doesn't want to be without him. Will the two friends be reunited? Find out in this Theatreworks musical, based on the best-selling series of books by Cynthia Rylant.

Featured in the cast are Sarah DeNight, Evan Wilberg, Stephen Fala, Meredith Myers, and Wesley Miller.

Henry and Mudge?, directed and choreographed by Rachel M. Stevens, has been adapted by bookwriter/lyricist Kait Kerrigan and composer/lyricist Brian Lowdermilk (The Woman Upstairs, Jonathan Larson Award-winners) and is based on the best-selling books by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Suçie Stevenson. The production was originally directed Off-Broadway by Peter Flynn (Broadway concerts of On the Twentieth Century, Chess, Funny Girl) and the Lortel-nominated choreographed by Devavand Janki (Lortel Award-winner for Zanna Don't, nominee for Theatreworks USA's Junie B. Jones). Scenic design is by Paul C. Weimer and costume design is by Rob Bevenger. Musical direction is by Miriam Daly.

Kait Kerrigan (Book, Lyrics) and Brian Lowdermilk (Music) have been awarded the 2006 Jonathan Larson Award. Their work has been showcased at the 2005 New York Musical Theater Festival, for which they were co-commissioned by the Upright Citizen's Brigade and the festival to write Wrong Number. Other shows include The Unauthorized Autobiography of Samantha Brown, which received a reading in the Artist's Showcase Reading Series at the 92nd Street Y and was featured in the 2005 NAMT Songwriters Showcase; and The Woman Upstairs, seen in the 2004 New York Musical Theatre Festival and the BOAM Festival at North Shore Music Theatre, MA. They were awarded a 2004-2005 Jonathan Larson Fellowship at the Dramatists Guild and they are members of the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop. Ms. Kerrigan graduated from Barnard College with a degree in English Literature. Her plays include Her Old Possessions, which has had a workshop at Columbia University and at the Burton Taylor Theatre in Oxford, UK; Tender Wars in the Green-Gold Room and Transit. Mr. Lowdermilk studied at Harvard University and NYU where he received the Alan Menken Award. With collaborator Marcus Stevens, Mr. Lowdermilk was the recipient of a Richard Rodgers Award for his musical Red. More? Visit www.kerrigan-lowdermilk.com

Theatreworks USA at The Kaye Playhouse Series will feature eight different productions over 11 weekends, each offering one-hour weekend performances recommended for children four and up. Upcoming performances will be:

February 27: Charlotte's Web is a play by Joseph Robinette (A Christmas Story) based on the Newbery Medal-winning book by E.B. White with an incidental music score by Jeffrey Lunden (Winner of the Lortel Award, Rodgers Award, and Jonathan Larson Award).

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.