Flat Stanley, Mary Poppins and More Set for young company's Winter Festival at Stoneham Theatre

The Winter Festival, performed by actors in grades 1-12, is the culmination of eight weeks of rehearsals by the students and their professional directors, music directors, choreographers, stage managers, and design team.

the young company Winter Festival includes four fully-staged productions: family-friendly The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Junior takes us on an incredible adventure all across the globe, while The Emperor's New Clothes teaches us to open our eyes to what's right in front of us! Mary Poppins uses magic, common sense, and a spoonful of sugar to teach the entire Banks family to value one another. Lastly, the dark and edgy Sweeney Todd shows us just how far some will go for those they love.

Everyone's favorite two-dimensional kid comes to life in The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Junior! Stanley Lambchop is your ordinary, everyday ten-year-old. That's just the problem...life is too plain for our hero, until he wakes up one morning completely flat! Stanley becomes the ultimate exchange student in this high Flying Musical adventure. Whether he's thwarting a robbery at the Louvre Museum in Paris, or "hanging ten" off the coast of Hawaii, Stanley learns that life can be amazing wherever you are, and whatever shape you're in! Directed by Daniel Begin, Music Direction by Laura Baronet, Choreography by Liana Percoco, and Stage Managed by Brendan McMahon.

The Emperor's New Clothes is a hilarious musical adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen classic. Two con-men, Mr. Stitch and Mr. Sew, wreak havoc at Wits Ends Palace when they present the Emperor with a special gift: an exquisitely beautiful "magic" suit of clothes, invisible to all but the wisest of men. The dangers of vanity are hilariously addressed with a host of delightful characters, as Emperor Maxmilian the Most dons his most expensive, least visible outfit. Directed by Liza Nagle, Music Direction by Garret Healey, Assistant Directed and Choreographed by Sydney Grant, and Stage Managed by Sean Taber.

Everyone's favorite practically perfect nanny takes the stage in the Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious musical adventure Mary Poppins! It's 1964 in New York City where Bert introduces us to the troubled Banks family. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing until Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Embarking on a series of fantastical adventures, Mary teaches the entire family that "anything can happen if you let it!" Directed by Sarah Elizabeth Bedard, Assistant Directed by Sarai Warsoff, Music Direction by Joanna Schubert, Choreography by Katie Clark, and Stage Managed by Molly Burman.

Stephen Sondheim brings us his magnificently haunting and darkly hilarious Sweeney Todd. Set in the back alleys of 19th century London, this Tony Award-winning musical follows the unjustly exiled Sweeney Todd on his quest for revenge from the corrupt political system that controls the land. With the aid of the manically charming Mrs. Lovett, the pair set off to make sure that justice is served in one of musical theatres greatest stories of love, loss, revenge, and the most bizarre pies ever created. Directed by Tyler Rosati, Music Direction by Dan Shore, Fight and Dialect Coaching by Samantha Richert, and Stage Managed by Shauwna Grillo.

Performances:

The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Junior-Sunday, January 29th at 11AM; Saturday, February 4th at 11AM; and Sunday, February 5th at 11AM. The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Junior is recommended for all ages.

The Emperor's New Clothes-Saturday, January 28th at 1PM; Sunday, January 29th at 1PM; Saturday, February 4th at 1PM; and Sunday, February 5th at 1PM. The Emperor's New Clothes is recommended for all ages.

Mary Poppins-Saturday, January 28th at 4PM; Sunday, January 29th at 4PM; Thursday, February 2nd at 7:30PM; and Saturday, February 4th at 4PM. Mary Poppins is recommended for ages 7 and up.

Sweeney Todd-Friday, January 27th at 7:30PM; Saturday, January 28th at 7:30PM; Friday, February 3rd at 7:30PM; and Saturday, February 4th at 7:30PM. Sweeney Todd is recommended for ages 13 and up.

Tickets are $15. For more information, call Stoneham Theatre's Box Office at (781) 279-2200, or visit www.stonehamtheatre.org.

Full production credits: The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Junior: Book by Timothy A. McDonald, Lyrics by Timothy A. McDonald and Jonathan K. Waller, Music by David Weinstein, Jonathan K. Waller, Timothy A. McDonald, and Stephen Gabriel, Based on the book Flat Stanley by JefF Brown, Illustrations by Scott Nash. The Emperor's New Clothes: Based on the classic story by Hans Christian Andersen, Adaptation and Lyrics by Jim Eiler, and Music by Jim Eiler and Jeanna Bargysh. Mary Poppins: A Musical Based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film, Original Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, Book by Julian Fellowes, New Songs and Additional Music and Lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, and Co-Created by Cameron Mackintosh.

Now in its 17th season of live theatre in Stoneham, MA, the mission of Stoneham Theatre is to keep the art of professional theatre and dramatic education thriving in the suburbs. Each season, we produce seven Mainstage shows, present a series of Special Events, and run year-round classes, lessons, and fully-staged productions through the young company for students in grades 1-12.

the young company at Stoneham Theatre helps the next generation become better artists, better audience members, and better people through dramatic education. the young company offers diverse year-round programs for students in grades 1-12 taught in a professional theatre environment. Through artistic training and performance opportunities, the young company at Stoneham Theatre develops life skills such as confidence, self-discipline, and collaboration to inspire and prepare young actors for future creative engagement and success. the young company lives by the idea that GOOD THEATRE MAKES GOOD PEOPLE.

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