'Understood Betsy' The Musical - Classic Novel On Stage

Actors' Playhouse Musical Theatre for Young Audiences will present the 12th Annual National Children's Theatre Festival Winner, the musical Understood Betsy live on stage April 25 – May 26, 2007.  
 
Understood Betsy is the story of a timid, overprotected young girl who is thrust on a difficult journey that challenges her to learn to think and act for herself.  Will city-raised Betsy be able to adjust to life in rural Vermont in the early 1900's?  This marvelous, musical journey follows Betsy as she finds the strength within herself to flourish and grow in a strange new environment. Understood Betsy is a classic account of a young girl learning to embrace independence and responsibility.  It is a warm story that will touch the hearts of children and adults.
 
Based on the classic novel by Dorothy Canfield Fisher, this musical version is written by Stacey Luftig with music by Mary Feinsinger and additional music by Robert Elhai.
 
Stacey Luftig is a playwright, lyricist, and librettist. Her work was featured in That's Life, a revue nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award for best Off-Broadway musical.  She is a graduate of the composer/lyricist program of the BMI/Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop and an active member of the BMI's Librettist Workshop. A member of ASCAP and the Dramatists Guild, she is a graduate of the University of Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and a recent recipient of the ASCAP Special Award for Musical Theater.
 
Mary Feinsinger is a composer, arranger, music director, lyricist, vocal coach, and performer. She is a graduate of Barnard College and holds a Master's Degree in voice from the Julliard School. A member of the Extension Division voice faculty of the Manes College of Music in New York, her accomplishments include composing the score for the feature film The Apology, writing music and lyrics for the Off-Broadway revue Hot Klezmer, and producing, arranging, and music directing several CD's, the most recent of which is Kol Dodi: Jewish Music for Weddings.
 
Robert Elhai, a Tony and Drama Desk nominee for his orchestrations and arrangements for the Broadway production of The Lion King, has orchestrated many concert and theatre scores as well as more than 50 film scores.  A holder of a doctorate degree in composition from Yale University, his credits include the Oscar-nominated films, Frida, Interview With the Vampire, and Michael Collins as well as orchestrations for the music theatre piece Juan Darien, directed by Julie Taymor.
 
Understood Betsy is the winner of the 12th Annual National Children's Theatre Festival.  Each year, Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre coordinates an annual national call to competition to find the newest musicals from which they choose one for festival presentation.  
 
The musical will kick off the Annual National Children's Theatre Festival Family Fun Days on April 28 & 29, 2007.  The weekend features cultural events and hands on activities. During this fun-filled weekend Actors' Playhouse provides exciting activities geared toward children and their families with the purchase of an Understood Betsy ticket.  
 
Understood Betsy will play at the Miracle Theatre April 25 – May 26, 2007. Performances are Saturday, April 28th at 11 AM, Sunday April 29th at 2 PM and Saturdays May 5 – 26 at 2 PM at the Miracle Theatre, 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables.  
 
Tickets for the April 28 & 29 performances are $15 and include access to all the festival events and other performances.  Tickets for performances May 5 – 26 are $12 and can be ordered on line at  www.actorsplayhouse.org  or through the box office at 305-444-9293. Birthday party group rates for fifteen people or more are available for show only and/or show and party reception. Student weekday matinee performances are at 10 AM and can be booked through their education department or via email  educate@actorsplayhouse.org . Student study guides are available on line at their web site.
 
Actors' Playhouse is Florida's premiere Musical Theatre for Young Audiences awarded "Best In Miami" by South Florida Parenting Magazine readers with the KIDS CROWN AWARD. Over 50,000 children attend children's performance each year for its annual five-show season. The final show of the season is The Fabulous Fable Factory, which will be presented June 19 – July 28, 2007.