Westport Country Playhouse Announces 2017-18 Family Festivities Series

Westport Country Playhouse announces its 2017-18 Family Festivities Series on selected Sundays from December through May, featuring musical productions based on classic and contemporary children's stories. The six-show series includes musical versions of Charles Dickens' holiday classic, "A Christmas Carol," and the bestselling book, "Pinkalicious." Performances are at 1 and 4 p.m., and are approximately one-hour in length. Tickets, at $20 each, are now on sale.

Opening the 2017-18 series on Sunday, December 17, will be "A Christmas Carol," produced by TheatreWorks USA, appropriate for grades 1 through 7. The musical captures the humorous and touching moments of Charles Dickens' classic tale with all the familiar characters, including the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, his clerk Bob Cratchit, the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Yet-to-Come, and the frail Tiny Tim.

"Nugget and Fang," on Sunday, January 21, is ArtsPower's under-the-sea musical about Nugget, a minnow, and Fang, a shark, who get along swimmingly - until Nugget's first day of minnow school. There, Nugget learns that minnows are supposed to be afraid of sharks! To regain Nugget's trust, Fang takes desperate and hilarious measures. Adapted from the popular book by Tammi Sauer, the musical is appropriate for grades Pre-K through 3.

"Junie B. Jones," on Sunday, February 11, stars outspoken, precocious, lovable Junie B. Jones in a musical about new friends, new glasses, sugar cookies, the annual kickball tournament, and other various first-grade angst-ridden situations. Follow her adventures as she writes down the story of her life in her "Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal." Adapted from the bestselling series of books by Barbara Park, the musical is produced by Theatreworks USA and recommended for grades K through 5.

"Pinkalicious, the Musical," on Sunday, March 11, is based on the bestselling book from Victoria and Elizabeth Kann. Pinkalicious can't stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor's office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe - a dream come true for this pink-loving enthusiast. But when her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out a way to get out of this predicament. Produced by Vital Theatre Company, the show is appropriate for ages 2 through 7.

"How I Became a Pirate," on Sunday, April 15, is a rollicking musical adventure about young Jeremy Jacob who joins Captain Braid Beard's band of comical pirates on a quest for the perfect spot to bury their treasure. While Jeremy finds fun and adventure on the high seas, he soon learns that home and family are treasures that can't be found on any map. Based on the bestselling book by Melinda Long and produced by Dallas Children's Theatre, the musical is recommended for grades K through 5.

"Harry and the Dirty Dog," on Sunday May 6, is a charming musical about Harry, who has everything a little white dog with black spots might want. His whole life is perfect with only one exception: Harry hates taking baths! He hates them so much that one morning he runs away and when he returns he is so dirty that he is now a little black dog with white spots. To his horror, his family doesn't even recognize him. How will Harry ever win his family back? The story is based on the book by Gene Zion, illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham. Produced by ArtsPower, the musical is appropriate for grades K through 2.

One week before the Playhouse presentation, The Westport Library will offer a free-of-charge program of interactive book readings, called "Story Explorers," to promote childhood literacy while also enhancing children's experiences of attending the Playhouse's Family Festivities shows. Each "Story Explorers" will include a reading of the book from the upcoming show, 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. The program is 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 provides 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.

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).

About Westport Country Playhouse

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 December through May 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.

Photo courtesy of Vital Theatre Company

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