ROOM ON THE BROOM, EGG, CINDERELLA and More Set for Segerstrom's 2015-16 Family Series

Segerstrom Center for the Arts announces its 2015 - 2016 Family Series with eight shows guaranteed to inspire and delight, performed by talented international artists. Each performance is filled with the magic of live theater and most are preceded by an hour of free family activities. The Center has also added special sensory-friendly performances designed specifically to help children on the autism spectrum or others with sensory sensitivity enjoy fully the magic and amazement of live performances. Other engagements will be sign-language interpreted to assist the deaf and hard-of-hearing. All performances are in Segerstrom Center's Samueli Theater unless otherwise noted.

Center President Terrence W. Dwyer said, "Our Family Series is a very important part of the Center's commitment to providing the finest performing arts experiences to audiences of all ages. We hope, too, that as each show entertains and delights young people, they create happy and memorable shared family experiences and encourage an interest in learning more about the performing arts and live theatre." Dwyer also noted, "I am especially pleased that we are now able to offer sensory-friendly performances. These enable children and adults with autism or sensory sensitivity to enjoy these wonderful productions that we bring to the Center from around the world."

Sensory-friendly precautions are taken to reduce sound levels, particularly loud or startling sounds; reduce overwhelming stage lighting; provide low ambient lighting in the theater throughout the performance so patrons are able to see should they need to move around or exit the theater; leave some seats unsold to allow extra room for patrons who may need to move or exit during the performance; provide social story and other preparatory materials to parents and children so they know what to expect from the performance; allow use of iPads, other tablet devices and smart phones if needed as a communication device for a child; and break spaces for those who might feel overwhelmed and need a break from the performance. For more information about the sensory-friendly features, call (714) 556-2787 or e-mail Access@SCFTA.org.

Current season ticket holders will receive information about the 2015 - 2016 Family Series soon and priority orders for new subscribers will follow. Single tickets will go on sale approximately six weeks prior to individual engagements. Visit SCFTA.org for more information about both the current season and the 2014 - 2015 Season. For inquiries about group ticket savings, call the Group Services office at (714) 755- 0236. The TTY number is (714) 556-2746.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts applauds The Charles & Mildred Schnurmacher Foundation, Inc. for its support of the Family Series. The Media partner is Parenting OC. Kia is the Official Automotive Partner of the Center, and United Airlines is the Official Airline of the Center.

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DISCOVERY SERIES (For families and children ages 4 - 8)
The Okee Dokee Brothers • Room on the Broom • Big Bad Wolf • Egg • The Box Brothers

THE OKEE DOKEE BROTHERS (United States)
September 27, 2015
(Sept. 27 ASL interpreted performance}

As childhood friends growing up in Denver, Colorado, Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing were born adventurers. Now, as The Okee Dokee Brothers, the Grammy-winning duo have put their passion for the

great outdoors at the heart of their Americana Folk music. Joe and Justin record and perform family music with a goal to inspire children and their parents to get outside and experience nature. They believe this can motivate kids to gain a greater respect for the natural world, their communities and themselves.

ROOM ON THE BROOM (United Kingdom)
October 25 & 31, 2015
(October 31 sensory-friendly performance, October 25 ASL interpreted performance)

The witch and her cat are flying happily on their broomstick - until a stormy wind blows away the witch's hat, bow and wand. A helpful dog, bird and frog find the witch's lost things, and they all hop on the broom for a ride. But this broomstick's not meant for five and - CRACK - the broom snaps in two! When a hungry dragon appears, who will save the poor witch? And will there ever be room on the broom for everyone? Filled with songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged 4 and up (and their grown-ups), this delightful show is an adaptation of the popular book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo.

BIG BAD WOLF | CENTER DEBUT (Australia)
March 5 & 6, 2016
(March 5 sensory-friendly performance, March 6 ASL interpreted performance)

He's the most misunderstood character in fairytale history. Put simply, he has no friends - just incredibly sharp teeth, yellow eyes and his own ideas about personal hygiene. He is the infamous Big Bad Wolf after all. Luckily Heidi Hood, the second cousin twice removed of Little Red, is brave enough to see past this wolf's bad press and an unlikely friendship is born. This hilarious, table-turning tale complete with puppetry, a poetry competition and plenty of dancing will have you wondering why you were so scared in the first place.

EGG | CENTER DEBUT (Northern Ireland)
March 19 & 20, 2016
(March 19 Sensory-Friendly Performance)

Join three madcap birds on an adventure of a lifetime as they grapple with growing up and giving in to their natural instincts to take flight. Told through physical theatre, illusion and music, Egg is a sophisticated, non-verbal exploration of the theme of "flying the nest." This funny, delightful and sometimes bittersweet tale resonates as strongly with adults in the audience as it does with children. An enchanting story of friendship and wonder. A tale of three birds ... and an egg!

THE BOX BROTHERS | CENTER DEBUT (The Netherlands)
April 23 & 24, 2016
(April 24 ASL interpreted performance)

The Box Brothers is an energetic, acrobatic and funny music performance about four brothers who live in a box, who set out on a quest for happiness. Performed by the four percussionists of the group, Percossa, this nearly wordless story is told through the music and movements of the musicians, and the four wooden boxes of the set serve as both objects in the story and percussion instruments.

Subscriptions to the 2015 - 2016 Family Discovery Series start at $64.

EXPLORER SERIES (For families and children ages 7 and older)
Nufonia Must Fall LIVE • Pero? (or the Mysteries of the Night) • Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella

KID KOALA'S NUFONIA MUST FALL LIVE | CENTER DEBUT (United States)
January 22 & 23, 2016
Rene?e and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

KID KOALA'S NUFONIA MUST FALL LIVE: equal parts cinema, theater and musical concert. Watch an amazing team of puppeteers bring the characters of Kid Koala's graphic novel Nufonia Must Fall to life in miniature sets built to recreate each scene from the book. Under the direction of renowned production designer KK Barrett (Her, Where the Wild Things Are, Adaptation, Being John Malkovich), the performance is cinematically lit, filmed and projected on a large screen. Kid Koala, accompanied by the Afiara String Quartet, performs his original score on piano and turntable. All of these components come together in real time.

CHILDSPLAY'S PERO? (OR THE MYSTERIES OF THE NIGHT) (United States)
February 20 & 21, 2016
(February 21 ASL interpreted performance)

In this stage adaptation of the children's book by French writer Michel Tournier, Pero?, a baker in the tiny Italian village Fanghetto, closes his shop and stops making bread. Why? Because he has a broken heart. His beloved neighbor Colombina, who he's been in love with since childhood, ran off with the housepainter Palentino. Will she return to the shy Pero? or stay with the flashy painter? This award-winning production uses puppets, actors, singers and live musicians to tell this charming story.

RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA | NEW PRODUCTION Family Series
Subscription Performances - April 29 - May 1, 2016 Segerstrom Hall

Rodgers + Hammerstein's CINDERELLA is the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical from the creators of The King and I and South Pacific that's delighting audiences with its contemporary take on the classic tale. This lush

production features an incredible orchestra, jaw-dropping transformations and all the moments you love - the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball and more - plus some surprising new twists! Be transported back to your childhood as you rediscover some of Rodgers + Hammerstein's most beloved songs, including "In My Own Little Corner," "Impossible/It's Possible" and "Ten Minutes Ago," in this hilarious and romantic Broadway experience for anyone who's ever had a wish, a dream... or a really great pair of shoes.

Subscriptions to the 2015 - 2016 Family Explorer Series start at $69.

SENSORY-FRIENDLY SERIES (For families and children ages 4 - 8)
Room on the Broom • Big Bad Wolf • Egg

ROOM ON THE BROOM (United Kingdom)
October 25 & 31, 2015
(October 31 sensory-friendly performance)

The witch and her cat are flying happily on their broomstick - until a stormy wind blows away the witch's hat, bow and wand. A helpful dog, bird and frog find the witch's lost things, and they all hop on the broom for a ride. But this broomstick's not meant for five and - CRACK - the broom snaps in two! When a hungry dragon appears, who will save the poor witch? And will there ever be room on the broom for everyone? Filled with songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged 4 and up (and their grown-ups), this delightful show is an adaptation of the popular book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo.

BIG BAD WOLF | CENTER DEBUT (Australia)
March 5 & 6, 2016
(March 5 sensory-friendly performance)

He's the most misunderstood character in fairytale history. Put simply, he has no friends - just incredibly sharp teeth, yellow eyes and his own ideas about personal hygiene. He is the infamous Big Bad Wolf after all. Luckily Heidi Hood, the second cousin twice removed of Little Red, is brave enough to see past this wolf's bad press and an unlikely friendship is born. This hilarious, table-turning tale complete with puppetry, a poetry competition and plenty of dancing will have you wondering why you were so scared in the first place.

EGG | CENTER DEBUT (Northern Ireland)
March 19 & 20, 2016
(March 19 sensory-friendly performance)

Join three madcap birds on an adventure of a lifetime as they grapple with growing up and giving in to their natural instincts to take flight. Told through physical theatre, illusion and music, EGG is a sophisticated, non-verbal exploration of the theme of "flying the nest." This funny, delightful and sometimes bittersweet tale resonates as strongly with adults in the audience as it does with children. An enchanting story of friendship and wonder. A tale of three birds ... and an egg!

Subscriptions to the Sensory-Friendly Series are $48.

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About Segerstrom Center for the Arts - Segerstrom Center for the Arts is unique as both an acclaimed arts institution and as a multi-disciplinary cultural campus. It is committed to supporting artistic excellence on all of its stages, offering unsurpassed experiences, and engaging the entire community in new and exciting ways through the unique power of live performance and a diverse array of inspiring programs.

Previously called the Orange County Performing Arts Center, Segerstrom Center traces its roots back to the late 1960s when a dedicated group of community leaders decided Orange County should have its own world-class performing arts venue.

As Orange County's largest non-profit arts organization, Segerstrom Center for the Arts owns and operates the 3,000-seat Segerstrom Hall and intimate 250-seat Founders Hall, which opened in 1986, and the 2,000-seat Rene?e and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, which opened in 2006 and also houses the 500-seat Samueli Theater, the Lawrence and Kristina Dodge Education Center's studio performance space and Boeing Education Lab. A spacious arts plaza anchors Segerstrom Center for Arts and is home to numerous free performances throughout the year as part of Segerstrom Center for the Arts' ongoing Free for All series.

The Center presents a broad range of programming each season for audiences of all ages from throughout Orange County and beyond, including international ballet and dance, national tours of top Broadway shows, intimate performances of jazz and cabaret, contemporary artists, classical music performed by renowned chamber orchestras and ensembles, family-friendly programming, free performances open to the public from outdoor movie screenings to dancing on the plaza and many other special events. It offers many education programs designed to inspire young people through the arts. These programs reach hundreds of thousands of students of all ages with vital arts-in-education programs, enhancing their studies and enriching their lives well into the future.

In addition to the presenting and producing institution Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the 14-acre campus also embraces the facilities of two independent acclaimed organizations: Tony Award-winning South Coast Repertory and a site designated as the future home of the Orange County Museum of Art.

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