Westport Country Playhouse Plans Admission-Free Family Festivities Kick-off Party on November 8

Westport Country Playhouse invites the community to a Family Festivities Kick-off Party on Sunday, November 8, from1 to 4 p.m. Admission-free and open to the public, the event will celebrate the Playhouse's upcoming 2015-16 Family Festivities Series, which begins on Sunday, November 15. The popular series will feature productions based on children's classic stories, including "Berenstain Bears," "Fancy Nancy," and "Charlotte's Web."

"We're excited to welcome our young audiences and their families to the Playhouse for a day of fun and creativity as we kick-off our 2015-2016 Family Festivities series," said Don Rebar, community engagement and digital content manager. "These upcoming shows bring to life classic stories and characters that span generations, such as 'Are You My Mother,' 'The Berenstain Bears' and 'Charlotte's Web,' as well as modern favorites like 'Chicken Dance,' 'Fancy Nancy' and 'Moon Mouse.' These plays will be the first live theatrical experience for many of our audiences, and it's our pleasure to provide this opportunity so close to home."

At the Kick-Off Party, the Playhouse and community partners will host a variety of activities for kids including games, a puppet theater, and face painting by Animate My Face. There will be opportunities to play dress-up in costumes on the Playhouse stage and explore a fire truck from the Westport Fire Department. Live music will be by Jay and Ray, and The Suzuki Music School of Westport. Food will be available, including free samples from Qdoba.

A tag sale of Playhouse memorabilia, including vintage playbills, posters, and props, will be located in the Sheffer Rehearsal Studio.

In addition to information about the upcoming Family Festivities roster of shows, there will be companion books for sale, and special, one-day-only ticket offers (Nov. 8, between 1 and 4 p.m., in-person sales only).

Family Festivities shows are presented on selected Sundays from November through April. All performances are approximately one hour in length. Tickets are $20, and include pre-show activities one hour prior to each performance. Family Festivities Corporate Sponsors are Pitney Bowes and Northwestern Mutual. Family Festivities Partner is Darlene Krenz. The Family Festivities Series is also supported by the Westport Young Woman's League.

Opening the 2015-16 series will be "Berenstain Bears Live! - Family Matters, The Musical," on Sunday November 15, at 1 and 4 p.m. Adapted from the classic children's book series by Stan and Jan Berenstain, the musical brings the popular bear family to life. As always, Bear Country is not without its complications: Brother Bear's grades are slipping, Sister Bear still has a few things to learn about making new friends, and Papa Bear just can't stop eating junk food. But, they can always depend on Mama Bear and her loving patience to help set things right. Produced by Brad Simon Organization, Inc., the show is recommended for ages 2 - 10.

"Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas," on Sunday, December 20, 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 4 p.m., is a musical based on the best-selling book series by author and illustrator team Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser. Nancy is excited about decorating the Christmas tree, especially because she bought a sparkly tree-topper with her own money. But when things don't turn out the way Nancy planned, will Christmas still be splendiferous? Nancy proves once again that a little fancying up can go a long, festive way! Produced by Vital Theatre Company, the show is recommended for ages 2 - 7.

"Chicken Dance," on Sunday, January 31, 1 and 4 p.m., is a new musical, based on the book by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Dan Santat, which won many awards, including the National Parenting Publications Gold Award. Marge and Lola, two barnyard chickens, are on a mission to win the barnyard talent contest first prize of two tickets to see the great Elvis Poultry in concert. But first, they must present a performance that will score higher than a flock of very talented ducks who seem to have the contest locked up. Can Marge and Lola face their challengers and win the talent contest? Produced by ArtsPower, the show is recommended for grades K - 2.
"Charlotte's Web," on Sunday, February 28, 1 and 4 p.m., is a musical based on E.B. White's loving story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray spider named Charlotte. Wilbur has a problem: how to avoid winding up as pork chops! Charlotte, a fine writer and true friend, hits on a plan to fool Farmer Zuckerman. She weaves in her web a solution which not only makes Wilbur a prize pig, but ensures his place on the farm forever. Produced by TheatreworksUSA, the show is recommended for grades K - 5.

"Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey," on Sunday, March 20, 1 and 4 p.m., is a cosmic adventure with music aboutMarvin, the mouse. Constantly bullied and picked on by the "cool" rats, he is labeled as a looser and a geek. As respite from the continuous badgering, Marvin retreats into his science books and a world of fantasy. He longs to have adventures and to be the hero. Will Marvin make his dreams come true and experience the glory and acceptance he craves? Produced by Lightwire Theater, the show is recommended for age 5 and up.

"Are You My Mother?," on Sunday, April 10, 1 and 4 p.m., is a musical based on P. D. Eastman's whimsical and well-loved picture book. At long last, Baby Bird emerges from her shell and expects to be greeted by her mother's song. But her mother is not there. Where is she? Why isn't she home? With the help of Dog, Cat and Hen, Baby Bird sets out in search of Mother Bird. Produced by ArtsPower, the show is recommended for grades pre-K and up.

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.

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 from May to October; 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 training 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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