Vital Theatre Announces Upcoming Season: ANGELINA BALLERINA, STINKYKIDS and More

Vital Theatre Company has announced the extension of STINKYKIDS THE MUSICAL, awarded 2012 BEST FAMILY SHOW by the Off Broadway Alliance, with book and lyrics by Sammy Buck, music by Daniel S. Acquisto with direction by Tim Drucker, based on the book series created by Britt Menzies. Performances are Saturdays at 1pm, starting July 7th through September 8th at The Riverside Theatre. Tickets are $29.50 for regular seats and $49.50 for premium seats. The show is appropriate for families with children, ages 3-12. For reservations visit www.vitaltheatre.org or call (212) 579-0528.

The Riverside Theatre at 91 Claremont Avenue at 120th Street is located inside the 75 year old Neo-Gothic Riverside Church, commissioned by John D. Rockefeller in 1927 and completed in 1930. The theatre is conveniently located near Columbia University, just 10 minutes from both the George Washington Bridge and the Lincoln Tunnel just off Riverside Drive.

On street parking is available on the weekend. The Claremont Avenue Garage is located inside the building with elevator access to the theatre.

StinkyKid Britt never gets in trouble and loves making everyone happy! She’s convinced her parents to take her friends Max, Hannah, Jen, Johnny, and Billy to the opening of the new MegaJumper 3000. But when Britt gets a massive wad of gum stuck in her hair, she must rely on her friends to help her get out of the sticky situation before her parents find out and cancel the trip! STINKYKIDS THE MUSICAL is based on the award winning StinkyKids® books and StinkyKids® characters: little stinKers who learn to make right choices through their childhood mistakes and live by the motto “Always be a leader of good.”® . In May 2012, STINKYKIDS THE MUSICAL was named Best Family Show of the 2011-2012 Season by the Off Broadway Alliance.

Sammy Buck (Book and Lyrics) With composer Dan Acquisto: Book and lyrics for STINKYKIDS THE MUSICAL (Vital Theatre), as well as LIKE YOU LIKE IT (New York Innovative Theatre Award-Winning Best Musical), THE UGLY SWAN (Theatre C); THE 7-YEAR B*TCH (Outstanding New Musical, Talkin' Broadway Summer Festival Citations, NYMF, York); Vital's THE FROG & THE WITCH; book for Andy Warhol WAS RIGHT (NYMF); lyrics for Vital’s MATTHEW TAKES MANNAHATTA (book, Aurin Squire) and ...AND THEN I WROTE A SONG ABOUT IT (Luna Stage, Diversionary Theatre; book, Eric H. Weinberger); and the play BARRY THE HATCHET (All Out Arts). With composer-lyricst Brandon James Gwinn: book and co-lyricist: SPEARGROVE PRESENTS (NY Theatre Barn). With composer Doug Katsaros: book: COMMON GROUNDS (NYMF). Sammy is currently writing for the upcoming 143rd Edition of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® The Greatest Show On Earth®. Films: Red Hook (Phase 4 Films, on DVD, digital download or Showtime); Fade To White (co-writer). Web: tvland.com (shared technical Emmy). Mentor: Rubicon Theatre Young Playwrights Festival. Member: BMI; The Dramatists Guild, Inc. www.bucquisto.com /www.sammybuck.com

Daniel S. Acquisto (Music) penned many musicals with Sammy Buck such as the critically acclaimed shows LIKE YOU LIKE IT, THE 7-YEAR B*TCH, THE FROG & THE WITCH, MATTHEW TAKES MANNAHATTA (Aurin Squire, book), ...AND THEN I WROTE A SONG ABOUT IT (Eric Weinberger, book), incidental music for BARRY THE HATCHET, and New York Musical Theatre Festival commissioned dance piece Andy Warhol WAS RIGHT. In development: THE UGLY SWAN (Theatre C commission). Apart from Sammy, Daniel has written over 12 children’s musicals for The Kaufman Center in NYC, and composed rock musical ANTIGONE (Studio Arena), DANCING IN THE DARK (MusicalFare!), ANYTHING ABOUT SCHOOL ALMOST (Tada!), Raw Impressions, A-Train Plays, and WILD ABOUT HARRY (NYMF commission). Non-theatre commissions: AUDUBON TRAIL (USAF Clarinet Quartet), SING NO SAD SONGS FOR ME (Shawnee Press, publisher), the upcoming film FADE TO WHITE. Daniel is also a percussionist, orchestrator/arranger, music director, and music educator. Member of ASCAP. www.bucquisto.com

Tim Drucker (Director) has co-written with Randy Blair, the books to the musicals FAT CAMP (Off-Broadway, April 2011; Playhouse Square, Cleveland July 2011; NYMF 2009-Best of Fest); Perez Hilton SAVES THE UNIVERSE (NY Fringe 2008- Best Musical; Barrow Street Theater; Joe's Pub; licensed productions); and SPIDERMUSICAL, for which he also directed (DC premiere April 2012). Recent directing credits: THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN'T DIE! IN 3-D!!! (NYMF 2011); Grace McLean LIVES IN CONCERT (Ars Nova). He is also 1/3 of THE OTHER BALDWINS comedy trio (UCB; P.S. 122; Ha! Comedy) who will be the project in residence at Ars Nova for 2012. BFA: NYU Tisch.

Britt Menzies (Author) is an Atlanta mom, a wife, and an artist with a flair for originality. Inspired by her own two beautiful “little stinKers”, Britt is the founder, creator and spirit behind StinkyKids. Britt is a graduate of Florida State University and has two degrees in accounting and finance. While she was enjoying a career with a successful Fortune 500 company that allowed her to travel the world, she had always had a passion for art. The birth of her son inspired her to leave the corporate world and revisit her creative side. Today, a few years and a daughter later, the result is StinkyKids. Along with the full-time duties of being a stay-at-home mom and entrepreneur, Britt is an active volunteer with Books, Bears, and Bonnets, Inc., a non-profit organization founded by her mother in memory of Britt’s late aunt.

The crew of STINKYKIDS THE MUSICAL includes Scenic Designer Kyle Dixon, Lighting Designer Josh Bradford, Costume Designer Amanda Jenks, Choreographer J. Austin Eyer, and Music Directors Kevin Lawson and Cody Wymore .

Vital Theatre Company commissions new musicals for children each season. Since its founding in 1999, Vital Theatre Company has been honored with two AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE by the Off Off Broadway Review, an Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best Family Show and has received high acclaim from audiences and critics alike for being "a wonderful place for parents to introduce their kids to the glories of live theatre, done well and at modest prices." Now entering its 14th season, the company is dedicated to producing entertaining and educational theatre for young audiences. To date, the company has presented 60 original productions for over 284,000 children and their families.