The Fun Company Presents THE YOUNG OLYMPIANS AND THE MOST AMAZINGLY AWESOME ADVENTURE EVER, Now thru 6/30

It's time to be brave...again. The Fun Company's hit family show The Young Olympians and the Most Amazingly Awesome Adventure Ever is back by popular demand. In April of 2012 the show by playwright Sarah Shulman made its World Premiere on Maryland Ensemble Theatre's (MET) stage to packed houses and rave reviews. "The Young Olympians was a serendipitous triumph of words music and performance...take everyone from toddler to grandparent, aunts and uncles, teens and random folk you meet on the street. You'll be glad you did.," proclaimed Charlie Smith of Want2Dish. Audiences will have the opportunity once again to enjoy the heroic achievement of The Young Olympian's when it returns to the MET stage at the historic FSK Hotel (31 W Patrick) in downtown Frederick for six performances today, June 21 through the 30.

For those that missed its debut last April, The Young Olympians and the Most Amazingly Awesome Adventure Ever is a fun filled experience for kids of all ages. When the heroes of today are out of commission it is up to the heroes of the future to save the day. Perseus, Jason, Hercules, and Andromeda are heroes in training atHomer's School of Heroism and when the Gods of Mt. Olympus suddenly develop amnesia it is up to these four young friends to go on an epic quest to save the day and along the way they learn what it really means to be a hero. The show's playwright and MET ensemble member Sarah Shulman used her knowledge of Greek mythology to create a fun and original adventure that tells the never before heard story of how classic Greek characters became the heroes that we know so well today. Along with being an original story, The Young Olympian's also contains completely original music. The show is full of fun and catchy songs composed by fellow MET company member Thom Huenger. With The Young Olympian's, Fun Company Artistic Director Julie Herberonce again works her magic and creates a comic book styled world of fantasy and fact for the heroes to adventure in.

Shulman, Herber, and Huenger collaborated again following the success of Young Olympians several months later on another original musical, Robin Hood: Occupy Sherwood, which debuted last August at Frederick Community College's JBK Theater. After being away from The Young Olympians for over a year, the three are overjoyed to once again be breathing life back into the show. "The cast is thrilled to be doing it again and that is always awesome, when you have a cast and crew who are pumped to do a show again," Shulman says. "I don't really think any of us felt like we were done with the show. We were always wondering what's next."

In fact the journey will continue following the performances at MET when in July the show will be performed at Studio Theater as part of The Capital Fringe Festival inWashington DC. The adventure will then move on to New York City in August where the play will be performed as part of The New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC), the largest multi-arts festival in North America, with more than 200 companies from all over the world performing for 16 days in more than 20 venues. A successful online fundraising campaign and ticket sales from the run in Frederick next month will support the tours and help the show reach new audiences.

The talented cast of actors include the majority of the performers from the show's original run in 2012. The cast for the performances at MET will feature Lisa Burl as Hermes and Medusa, Karli Cole as Chiron and Cerberus, Renee Gerard as puppeteer and statue, Thom Heuenger as Perseus, Joe Jalette as Jason, Caitlyn Joy as Andromeda, Francis Mwale as Hercules, Ken Poisson as Polyphemus, Reiner Prochaska as Posideon and Hades, and Rich Cole as Zeus.

The Young Olympians is produced by the Maryland Ensemble Theater's Fun Company. The Fun Company seeks to provide high quality, affordable theatre for the whole family that is both educational and entertaining. The Fun Company offers a yearly Family Theatre Series, an In School Productions outreach program and Fun Camp.

Young Olympians will run on June 21, 22 and 29 at 7pm and June 22, 29 and 30 at 2pmon the MET stage. Tickets are $12, and may be purchased by phone at (301) 694-4744, online at marylandensemble.org, or in person at the MET box office (31 W Patrick, Frederick). Don't forget to ask about group rates and birthday packages.

THE YOUNG OLYMPIANS AND THE MOST AMAZINGLY AWESOME ADVENTURE EVER INFORMATION

By Sarah Shulman

Directed By Julie Herber

Featuring: Lisa Burl (Hermes/ Medusa), Karli Cole (Chiron/ Cerberus), Renee Gerard (Puppeteer/Statue),Thom Heuenger (Perseus), Joe Jalette (Jason), Caitlyn Joy (Andromeda), Francis Mwale (Hercules), Ken Poisson (Polyphemus), Reiner Prochaska (Posideon/ Hades), Rich Cole (Zeus)

Where: Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 West Patrick Street, Frederick, Maryland 21701

Dates: June 21 - 30, 2013

Performances: June 21, 22 and 29 at 7pm and June 22, 29 and 30 at 2pm.

Ticket Prices: All Tickets: $12 (plus a $1.50 service fee)

Box Office: 301-694-4744 or marylandensemble.org or at the MET (Tuesday -Thursday 10am - 3pm, Friday 11am - 3pm and 1 hour before each show.)

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