Theatreworks USA at The Kaye Playhouse Series to Continue with SKIPPYJON JONES SHOW WHAT

Theatreworks USA (Barbara Pasternack, Artistic Director; Ken Arthur, Producing Director) will continue its 2016 weekend family performance series Sunday April 24th, with their acclaimed production, Skippyjon Jones Snow What (& the 7 Chihuahuas).

Author Judy Schachner will be on hand for the performance; for just a $20 donation to support Theatreworks USA and help them bring Free Theater to thousands of young people this year, Judy will sign copies of Skippyjon Jones Snow What. (The book includes a CD of the author reading it!).

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the bravest Chihuahua of them all? Skippyjon Jones the Siamese cat who thinks he's a Mexican Chihuahua of course! While his sisters listen to "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," Skippy heads off for the REAL adventure awaiting him in his closet. There, as his alter ego Skippito Friskito, and with the help of his friends the Seven Chimichangos, Skippyjon must rescue the beautiful princess Nieve Qué (Snow What), battle the evil dragon and defeat the Bruja. A brand new musical based on the book by Judy Schachner, Skippyjon Jones Snow What is a twist on the classic fairytale "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." Skippyjon Jones Snow What is a 60-minute, one-act musical recommended for children ages 4 & up.

Here's what the critics had to say: "Clever, comical and boisterous... wryly satirical" - The New York Times (NY Times Critic's Pick); "I [found] myself having a ball right next to my kids, even though I'm far (well, far-ish) from the target audience"- Entertainment Weekly; "Doggone delightful" - NY Daily News; "A highly entertaining show aimed for the younger crowd, but providing plenty of fun for adults as well. A very strong cast, creative, and production team..." - Center on the Aisle.

The cast features Sarah Lazar (Jezebel/Poquito Tito), Zach Aguilar (as Jilly Boo/Don Diego), Sergio King (Skippyjon Jones), Jay Philip Marlow (Mama Junebug/ The Wicked Bruja), and Keyonna Knight (Ju Ju Bee/Nieve Que). Directed by Zi Alikhan based on the original by Kevin Del Aguila with choreography by Amanda Grace Holt based on the original of Connor Gallagher, Skippyjon Jones Snow What features book and lyrics by Kevin Del Aguila with music by Eli Bolin and is based on the Skippyjon Jones series of books by Judy Schachner.

Kevin Del Aguila is an Emmy-winning writer of the PBS animated series "PEG + CAT," the book-writer of the hit Off-Broadway musical Altar Boyz (Outer Critics Circle Award, Lucille Lortel and Drama Desk noms), and recipient of the Heideman Award for his play The Greekest of Tragedies (Actors Theatre of Louisville). Other works as a writer include his stage adaptations of the DreamWorks film Madagascar (Radio City Music Hall & National Tour), his middle-aged superhero musical The Protagonists (NAMT Festival 2013), and many productions for Theatreworks USA including Skippyjon Jones (Lortel nom) and Click Clack Moo (Lortel and Drama Desk noms). Kevin has also been a writer and director of The NY Philharmonic's famed Young People's Concerts at Lincoln Center. Eli Bolinis music director of Story Pirates, which performs songs and sketches adapted from the creative writing of children all over the country. Theater: Found (Atlantic), Volleygirls (NYMF 'Best of Fest' 2013), Skippyjon Jones (Lucille Lortel nomination), Roller Disco (ART), Schmoozy Togetherness (WTF), I Sing! TV: "Sesame Street," "Billy on the Street" and two Kristen Schaal comedy specials ("Comedy Central Presents" and "Live at the Fillmore"). As an actor, Eli appeared on NBC's "30 Rock" as a member of the Woggels.

Theatreworks USA at The Kaye Playhouse Series has featured eight different productions over 11 weekends, each offering one-hour weekend performances recommended for children four and up. The final performance will be Sunday May 1st: 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.

Theatreworks USA is America's foremost professional theatre for young and family audiences. Theatreworks USA's mission is to create imaginative and sophisticated shows that are educational, entertaining, and thought provoking, and to ensure that these shows are accessible to audiences across America regardless of geography and socio-economic status. Since 1961, Theatreworks USA has reached over 93 million people in 49 states and Canada, and the company now performs for about three million young people annually. Every year, the company tours approximately ten shows from its ever-growing repertoire of 133 plays and musicals. In addition, Theatreworks USA has an extensive guest artist roster of multi-cultural storytellers, musicians, puppeteers, magicians and more.

Theatreworks USA's honors include a Drama Desk Award, Lucille Lortel Award, the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation Award, the William M. Dawson Award for Programmatic Excellence given by the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, and the Medal of Honor from the Actors Fund of America. Past Free Summer Theatre productions at the Lucille Lortel Theatre include The Lightning Thief (Lortel Award nominee: Best Musical); Skippyjon Jones (Lortel Award nominee: Best Musical); The Yellow Brick Road (Callaway nominee: Best Choreography); We the People: America Rocks! (Lortel nominee: Best Musical); Click, Clack, Moo (Lortel nominee: Best Musical, Drama Desk nominee: Best Lyrics); and Seussical (Lortel and Drama League nominee: Best Revival of a Musical). Free Summer Theatre is entirely underwritten by charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations, and public support.

This program from Theatreworks USA is supported, in part, with public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency, and by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

For more information on this series or the other programs offered by Theatreworks USA, visit www.TWUSA.org.