TWINKLE TAMES A DRAGON to Continue Family Festivities Series at Westport Country Playhouse

Westport Country Playhouse's Family Festivities Series will present the musical "Twinkle Tames a Dragon," based on the brand new book by Katharine Holabird, author of the popular "Angelina Ballerina" series, on Sunday, February 12, for two performances, at 1 p.m., and 4 p.m. Produced by Vital Theatre Company, the show is recommended for ages 2 to 7. Running time is approximately one hour. Tickets are $20.

The musical is for all those who love fairies, friendship, dragons, and fun. Twinkle has always wanted a pet and is thrilled when Fairy Godmother grants her wish. While her friends get cute little pets, a naughty dragon named Scruffy is NOT what Twinkle had in mind! Can Twinkle tame her dragon in time for Fairy Pet Day?

Children's pre-show activities will be led by Adelka Polak one hour prior to each performance, at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. Polak is the artistic director and founder of Sova Theatre. She has worked for 15 years as a dancer, puppeteer, mask-performer, and movement director with various companies.

Two weeks before The Playhouse presentation, The Westport Library will offer a new, free-of-charge program, "Story Explorers," with an interactive book reading of "Twinkle Tames a Dragon," on Sunday, January 29, at 2 p.m., in Library's Smilow Family Children's Department. "Story Explorers" is intended to promote childhood literacy while also enhancing children's experiences of attending The Playhouse's Family Festivities shows. Each "Story Explorers" will include readings of books based on the upcoming shows, plus activities surrounding the book's theme. Presenting partners for "Story Explorers" are Westport Country Playhouse, The Westport Library, and Westport Young Woman's League. Adelka Polak will lead the activities. Programs will be approximately one hour.

In conjunction with the Family Festivities Series, The Playhouse will once again host a book collection for Read to Grow, Inc., a statewide nonprofit organization that helps parents take an active role in their children's literacy development by providing free children's books to families with limited access and to community resources that serve them. At each Family Festivities performance, bins will be located in The Playhouse lobby for donations of gently used and new children's books which will be given to families and programs in the greater Fairfield County area through Read to Grow. During last season's Family Festivities series, The Playhouse collected nearly 300 books.

Upcoming Family Festivities shows include "Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat" on Sunday, March 19, produced by Childsplay. Sally and her brother find out that the Cat in the Hat is the most mischievous cat they will ever meet when a rainy afternoon is transformed by the Cat and his antics. "Pete the Cat," on Sunday, April 2, produced by Theatreworks USA, finds Pete the Cat sent by the cat-catcher to live with the un-hip Biddle family to learn manners. "Story Explorers" interactive book reading programs at The Westport Library are scheduled one week prior to each of the shows at 2 p.m. on Sat., Mar. 11, and Sat., Mar. 25.

Family Festivities shows are presented on selected Sundays from November through April. Family Festivities Corporate Sponsors are Pitney Bowes and Northern Trust. Family Festivities Sponsor is Darlene Krenz. The Family Festivities Series is also supported by the Westport Young Woman's League.

Everyone in the audience requires a ticket. For more information or tickets, call the box office at (203) 227-4177, or toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Tickets are available online 24/7 at www.westportplayhouse.org. Stay connected to The Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse), or view Playhouse videos on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse).

The mission of Westport Country Playhouse is to enrich, enlighten, and engage the community through the power of professionally produced theater worth talking about and the welcoming experience of The Playhouse campus. The Playhouse creates this relationship with the community and provides this experience in multiple ways by offering: Live theater experiences of the highest quality, under the artistic direction of Mark Lamos, from May through November; educational and community engagement events and opportunities to further explore issues presented by the work on stage; special performances and programs for students and teachers with extensive curriculum support material; Script in Hand play readings throughout the year to deepen relationships with audiences and artists alike; the renowned Woodward Internship Program during the summer months for aspiring theater professionals; Family Festivities presentations from November through April to delight young and old alike and to promote reading through live theater; and the beautiful and historic Playhouse campus open for enjoyment and community events year-round. The value of the Westport Country Playhouse to all it touches is immeasurable.

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