Westport Country Playhouse to Present DINO-LIGHT, 1/19

Westport Country Playhouse will continue its 2013-14 Family Festivities Series with "Dino-Light," a heart-rending original tale about Darwin, a friendly dinosaur, on Sunday, January 19, at 1 and 4 p.m., recommended for age five and up. Tickets are $20.

Presented by "America's Got Talent" semi-finalist Lightwire Theater, "Dino-Light" features a blend of glowing electroluminescent puppetry, dance, and technology, including light sabers reminiscent of "Star Wars." Running time is approximately one hour. Pre-show activities begin one hour before each performance at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.

"Lightwire Theater, in conjunction with CORBiAN Visual Arts and Dance, has created some of the most innovative theater for young audiences I have ever seen," said Angela Marroy Boerger, director of education and community programs. "Their shows are truly dazzling - even the parents in the audience can hardly look away! I could not be more elated to welcome Lightwire back to The Playhouse for 'Dino-Light.'"

"Dino-Light" tells the story of Professor Henslow, a famous scientist who has magical powers. His latest creation, Darwin, is a wild and primitive dinosaur. Although Professor Henslow teaches him to walk, Darwin's animal instincts eventually take over as he succumbs to his predatory nature. Realizing that he is suddenly in danger, Professor Henslow cleverly responds by making a heart and bravely placing it in Darwin's chest. The beast is immediately transformed into a loving creature and a lasting bond is created between the two.

As Darwin explores the world, he meets birds, fish, and others, each of whom helps him to learn something new about himself and the world around him. When Professor Henslow is threatened by a dangerous Tyrannosaurus, Darwin is forced to make a decision that will alter his life forever and ultimately lead him to discover the true meaning of love.

Lightwire Theater's creators Ian Carney and Corbin Popp met while dancing in Twyla Tharp's Broadway show "Movin' Out." They came across a product call EL wire, short for electroluminescent wire, which, unlike black lights, can be powered by batteries. Together with their wives Eleanor and Whitney, they began to develop puppetry-based creatures with EL wire. Relocating from New York to Ian and Eleanor's hometown, New Orleans, they continued the creative process. It was there, in the Hurricane Katrina-ravaged city, that the show began to take shape. The result, after years of engineering and development, is "Dino-Light," an innovative theatrical experience.

Upcoming Family Festivities presentations include "Sleeping Beauty Dreams," on Sunday, February 9, "Diary of a Worm, a Spider, and a Fly," on Sunday, March 9, and "Seussical," on Sunday, March 23.

In conjunction with the Family Festivities Series, The Playhouse will host a book collection of gently used and new children's books for Read to Grow, Inc.

Family Festivities Partners are Meredith and David Bukzin, Galia Gichon and Adam Clemens, and Darlene Krenz. Family Festivities Corporate Sponsor is Pitney Bowes.

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), view Playhouse videos on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse) or get an insider's peek on The Playhouse Blog (www.theplayhouseblog.org).

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