Asheville Creative Arts Presents Aesops Fable Musical This Weekend

Co-Founders Abby Felder and Robbie Jaeger announce the first main stage production of Asheville Creative Arts' fourth season, DON'T COUNT YOUR CHICKENS UNTIL THEY CRY WOLF, a musical romp through Aesop's fables. Set under a carnival tent and featuring live music, the show has a book by Carol Lynn Pearson, music by J.A.C. Redford, musical direction by Jonesalee, choreography by Robbie Jaeger, and is being directed by ACA resident artist Gina Stewart.

ACA will produce the show at a new theatre home, Magnetic 375 (375 Depot Street) for 4 public performances only, March 4 at 7:00, March 5 at 1:00 and 4:00, and March 6 at 1:00. Tickets are $23 adults, $12 children (12 and younger) and groups (10 or more).

The company will also offer weekday matinees for schools on March 2, 3 and 4 with discounted $5 tickets and pre-show study guide developed in accordance with common core learning benchmarks. DON'T COUNT YOUR CHICKENS is a tour de force of Aesop's world filled with ancient wisdom and today's wit told with clever lyrics and a little audience participation. Written by commission at Robert Redford's renowned Sundance Theatre in Utah, the songs include the famous race between the tortoise and the hare, "you got to keep on keeping on," and a chorus line of sheep "if he's got fleece but the wrong kind of nose, perhaps he's a wolf with sheep's clothes." The cast features Brandon Alan Gaunt and Katy Shepherd who performed in last season's hit, THE TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS!, Robbie Jaeger, who was last seen in ACA's production of A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD, and ACA newcomer Erica McGee. The creative team includes lights by Barbra Berry, sets by Jordan Ellis, puppets by Abby Felder, and costumes by Robbie Jaeger.

According to Artistic Director Robbie Jaeger, "everybody knows and loves the tales of Aesop, which contain universal observations about how humans and society function. It's exciting to feature the directorial work of Resident Artist, Gina Stewart of Jonesalee, who along with Brenda Gambill has a long musical pedigree, having shared the stage with The Indigo Girls, Hootie and the Blowfish, Rita Coolidge, Dar Williams, Carlene Carter, The Carolina Chocolate Drops and The Red Clay Ramblers to name a few." Continues Producing Director Abby Felder, "this production retells all the classics with an injection of humor that is the perfect introduction to, or refresher of, these delightful fables. Bring the whole family!"

During their fourth season, the company continues the signature style it is known for, with content for children and their parents, seen in past productions A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD, CHARLOTTE'S WEB and most recently, MISS NELSON IS MISSING! ACA's season will also include the musical adventure, HOW I BECAME A PIRATE that will be produced for 2-weeks in August 2016.

For more information about The Magnetic Theatre visit www.themagnetictheatre.org.

ABOUT ASHEVILLE CREATIVE ARTS: Asheville's critically acclaimed, award winning theatre devoted to creating works for children of all ages, Asheville Creative Arts was founded in 2013. Led by Abby Felder and Robbie Jaeger, with Resident Artists Gina Jones Stewart and Brenda Lee Gambill of Jonesalee, the company has the following mission: -To produce, present and create professional and innovative theatre for the very young to the young at heart, and embrace diverse cultures with a main stage season of productions of musical, literary adaptations, and puppet based work that push the boundaries of children's theatre, to train the next generation of artists, and to ensure that all families in Western NC and beyond have access to theatre arts through outreach such as touring, and "in-reach" such as specially discounted performances for school and community groups. In honor of contributions to the cultural landscape, Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer declared July 18, 2014 "Asheville Creative Arts Day;" and ACA's productions of CHARLOTTE'S WEB and MISS NELSON IS MISSING! are recipients of a Grassroots Partnership Award- a grant from the NC Arts Council, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, distributed by the Asheville Area Arts Council.

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