Phoenix Theater For Children Presents MANY MOONS 3/13- 3/22

The Phoenix Theatre for Children will present a stage adaptation of one of James Thurber's most charming children's stories, Many Moons, in tribute to author, humorist, New Yorker cartoonist, and Columbus native James Thurber and in celebration of the 25th birthday of central Ohio's literary jewel, the Thurber House. This all-local production boasts colorful costumes, live musical accompaniment, and spirited characters portrayed by four central Ohio actors including 13-year-old Westgate resident Emma Welsh-Huggins who will play the central role. The cast is rounded out by GermanVillage resident Ted Amore, Gahanna resident Ian Short, and Marysville resident Joe Bishara.

Many Moons will be presented March 13-22 in Studio Two of the Riffe Center (77 S. High St.). Show times are Fridays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 1 pm and 2:30 pm; and Sundays at 1 pm and 2:30 pm. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children and can be purchased at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 E. State St.), all Ticketmaster outlets, and at www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase tickets by phone, please call (614) 469-0939 or (800) 745-3000. The Riffe Center Ticket Office will open two hours prior to each performance. Recommended for children four years and older with a running time of 45 minutes.

Published in 1943, Many Moons tells the story of Princess Lenore who is ill from eating too many raspberry tarts. She believes that possessing the moon is the only thing that will cure her, so the King issues a command to the most learned and high-ranking members of his royal court to find a way to bring the moon to the princess. When none of them is clever enough to devise a way to deliver the moon, the King thinks all is lost until his crafty court jester sparks a bit of hope-with classic Thurber wit, of course.

"We are thrilled to present a Thurber adaptation this season," stated Phoenix Artistic Director Steven C. Anderson. "The genius of this James Thurber story is that while the children are thoroughly entertained by the colorful storyline, adults will find a few laughs in Thurber's humor as well."

Jams Thurber was born in Columbus on December 8, 1894. His father was a clerk who often served politicians, and his mother was an eccentric woman who would be an influence for many of his stories. As a young boy, Thurber lost sight in one of his eyes while playing "William Tell" with his brothers, an accident which eventually caused him to go completely blind later in life.

Thurber attended The Ohio State University from 1913-1917, when the Thurbers rented the house at 77 Jefferson Avenue, which is now Thurber House. Due to his eye injury, Thurber never completed a compulsory ROTC course and did not graduate from Ohio State, though he received a posthumous degree.

Thurber launched his professional writing career as a reporter for the Columbus Dispatch in 1920. He began writing for the New Yorker in 1927 after friend E.B. White (Charlotte's Web) got him a job at the magazine. Thurber started as an editor for the magazine but quickly became a writer. His career as a cartoonist began in 1930, when White dug some of Thurber's drawings out of the trash and submitted them to be published in the New Yorker.

Though hampered by failing eyesight, Thurber wrote nearly 40 books, including collections of essays, short stories, fables, and children's stories. He won a Tony Award for his popular Broadway play, A Thurber Carnival, in which he often starred as himself.

Thurber died of complications from pneumonia on November 2, 1961. He is buried in Columbus'Greenlawn Cemetery.

About Thurber House
Thurber House opened in 1984 as a non-profit literary center and museum of Thurber materials. Thurber House is a living museum that allows visitors to experience James Thurber's life by becoming a guest of the Thurber family. While in the house museum, visitors are invited to sit on the chairs, play a tune on the downstairs piano, touch the typewriter that was Thurber's while he was at the New Yorker, and become a part of literary history.

Thurber House is furnished in the style of the 1913-1917 period that Thurber lived in the home with his parents, two brothers, and several canine companions. The first two floors are open daily for tours. Next door to Thurber House is the Thurber Center, a contemporary classroom and conference facility. Between the buildings is the Centennial ReadingGarden, complete with sculptures of five Thurber dogs, a fountain, and three Central Park benches.
www.thurberhouse.org

The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, education excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Phoenix also appreciates the support of The Columbus Foundation's Benham Memorial and Herbert Peterson Funds, assisting donors and others in strengthening our community for the benefit of all of its citizens, and the Greater Columbus Arts Council, supporting the city's artists and arts organizations since 1973.

The Phoenix Theatre for Children is a collective of artists who work collaboratively to create original productions for young audiences. Phoenix is committed to providing young people and their families with theatrical experiences that encourage and enhance an awareness of self and the world in which we live. Frequent themes of the plays are self-reliance, an awareness of the importance of community, the personal empowerment of young people, and our responsibilities as citizens of the world. For more information, visit www.phoenix4kids.org.

 

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