Westport Country Playhouse's Family Festivities Kick-off Party Set for 11/9

Westport Country Playhouse invites the community to a Family Festivities Kick-off Party on Sunday, November 9, from 1 to 4 p.m. Free-of-charge and open to the public, the event will celebrate the Playhouse's upcoming 2014-15 Family Festivities Series, which begins on Sunday, November 16. The popular series will feature productions based on children's classic stories, including "Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse," "The Lightning Thief," "Dog Loves Books," and "Curious George."

At the Kick-Off Party, the Playhouse and community partners will host a variety of activities for kids including an opportunity to dress up and pose on the Playhouse stage. Animate My Face will be back this year to help raise funds for the Playhouse, as well as activities by Sportsplex@Fairfield. At 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Jay and Ray will perform children's favorite hit songs. Tasty nibbles will be offered with free samples from Qdoba, along with additional concessions available for purchase.

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.

"It is so exciting to kick off our 2014 - 2015 season of theater for young audiences, and what better way than a party!," said Courtney Lauria, Playhouse community engagement and education programs coordinator. "We have six shows coming to the Playhouse this winter season and each show is unique and represents the best children's theater from across the country. We have classics like 'Curious George,' and 'Frosty,' as well as a soon-to-be classic like 'The Lightning Thief.' The Playhouse cannot wait to have children fill the halls with laughter and joy as they experience some amazing theater so close to home."

Family Festivities shows are presented on selected Sundays from November through March, at 1 and 4 p.m. Tickets are $20. Family Festivities Partner is Darlene Krenz; Corporate Partner is Pitney Bowes. The series is also supported in part by Westport Young Woman's League.

Opening the 2014-15 series will be "Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse," a charming adaptation of Kevin Henkes' award-winning children's book, on Sunday, November 16. Lilly loves everything about school, especially her cool teacher Mr. Slinger. But when he confiscates her prized possession, a purple plastic purse that plays music, joy turns to misery, testing Lilly's resolve. Produced by Omaha Theater Company, the show is recommended for ages 4-8.

"Frosty," on Sunday, December 14, is about a young orphan named Billy who discovers magic in a stolen hat when he places it on a snowman's head and that snowman comes to life. But can Frosty the snowman help Billy find his real family in time for Christmas? Produced by the Barter Players, the show is recommended for ages 4-10.

"Stella, Queen of the Snow," on Sunday, January 18, tells the story of two children as they spend the day playing in the snow, discovering the world of winter together. First published in 2000, the book by Marie-Louise Gay remains a favorite with worldwide fans. This hour-long production will feature puppets, scenic effects, and original music. Produced by Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia, the show is recommended for ages 3-7.

"The Lightning Thief," based on the popular book series by Rick Riordan, will play Sunday, February 8. Mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy Jackson's Greek mythology textbook and into his life. And worse, Zeus's master lightning bolt has been stolen and Percy is the prime suspect. Produced by Theatreworks USA, the show is recommended for grades 2-6.

"Dog Loves Books," Louise Yates' New York Times best seller, comes to life on Sunday, March 1. The musical is about the irresistible Dog who loves everything about books and decides to open his own bookstore. But no customers come. Dog begins to read the books in his store and discovers that when customers finally come in to his store, he knows exactly which books to recommend. ArtsPower's new musical celebrates the power of the imagination and the satisfaction that comes from sharing books with others. Recommended for ages 5-8.

"Curious George," the inquisitive, lovable little monkey of books, movies, and the award-winning PBS television show, is the star of this new musical on Sunday, March 29. On All-You-Can-Eat Meatball Day, George always helps his friend Chef Pisghetti cook meatballs, and serve them to the hungry crowd. But this year, the crowd had vanished! Phinneas T. Lightspeed and his speedy Meatballs O'Matic machine are keeping them away. In despair, Chef Pisghetti vows to cook no more, until George enters the Chef's meatballs in the world-famous Golden Meatball Contest...in Rome. Produced by Theatreworks USA, the show is recommended for grades pre K - 3.

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.

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