Joe Steptoe's MUFARO'S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS Begins 2/14

Dallas Children's Theater proudly presents John Steptoe's, MUFARO'S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS, a gorgeous Caldecott Award winning Cinderella tale that celebrates goodness, generosity, love and traditional African song. Adapted for the stage by Karen Abbott, MUFARO'S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS is part of the Discovery Theater Series for Families at PlayhouseSquare.

When a great African king desires a wife, only the most perfect maidens in the land are invited to meet him. Mufaro, a dignified and caring African villager, has two beautiful daughters. When he leaves for the hunt and the sisters are alone, Manyara is always angry, while Nyasha is positive and kind. Chenzira, a messenger, brings word that the Great King is inviting all of the "Most Worthy and Beautiful Daughters in the Land to appear before him" so that he might choose his Queen. Mufaro is very pleased that both of his daughters should be selected and agrees to accompany them at sunrise. That night, Manyara, believing herself better and prettier than her sister, sets out alone so that she can be presented to the king first. What will happen to each girl as she responds to hooting owls, enchanted trees laughing and the other strange beings she encounters along the way?

DCT's Executive Artistic Director and director of the play, Robyn Flatt, states, "This wonderful folktale celebrates virtue and kindness of the heart. Its ethical lesson is simple yet powerful: ‘as you sow so shall you reap', or as a hungry beggar in the play says, ‘pretty is as pretty does'."

A favorite among children and adults, this African story from Zimbabwe was inspired by a folktale collected by G.M. Theal, and published in 1895 in his book, "Kaffir Folktales". Award winning children's author/illustrator John Steptoe had always focused on the African American experience in his work, but MUFARO'S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS required him to research African history and culture for the first time. It was published in 1987, and was acknowledged by reviewers and critics as a breakthrough because it inspires African American children to respect their ancestral origins. Mr. Steptoe hoped that his books would help all young people to take pride in who they are.

Every culture has its rendition of the Cinderella story, but this one's notion of "beauty" is more than skin deep. Mufaro's pride and joy, two daughters named Nyasha and Manyara, have very different dispositions. The names of the characters are from the Shona language: Mufaro (moo-FAR-oh) means "happy man", Nyasha (nee-AH-sha) means "mercy" and Manyara (mahn-YARah) means "ashamed". Nyasha, the Cinderella character, is beautiful on the inside and out. With energy and color the story is told through clear narration, African dance, drumming and song, as well as a splash of audience participation. Playwright Karen Abbot has carefully drawn out each important moral point, and children will easily follow along.

MUFARO'S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS takes the stage February 14th at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. in the Ohio Theatre at PlayhouseSquare. Ticket prices range from $10 to $20 and are on sale now at the PlayhouseSquare Ticket office (1519 Euclid Avenue), by calling 216-241-6000 or online at playhousesquare.org.

Group discounts for 10 or more are available by calling 216-664-6044.

In addition, the Family Passport, perfect for families with children or grandchildren of varying ages is available. The Family Passport includes six vouchers redeemable for tickets to any of the shows in the series. More information about the Family Passport is available by calling 216-830-7221

This performance engagement is a part of the Smart Seats program at PlayhouseSquare that offers smart entertainment at a smart price. For more information on Smart Seats, visit playhousesquare.org/smartseats.

Back by popular demand! Project Discovery Workshops are designed to introduce children to the imaginative world of live theater. During the one hour long MUFARO'S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS workshop, Cleveland All-City Dance Ensemble Director Kevin Marr will lead your child in the exploration of the traditional methods of African storytelling through rhythm and dance. Dance instructor Rachel Smucker will then explore more rhythms using unique instruments. The workshop takes place from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Idea Center at PlayhouseSquare. Admission is only $5. To purchase, please call 216-241-6000 or visit playhousesquare.org

The Discovery Theater Series for Families is made possible in part by a grant from the Ohio Arts Council. Additional funding for special literacy activities and for the series in general is provided by the Children's Theatre Endowment established by the Junior League of Cleveland and the Laub Foundation.

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