DIARY OF A WORM, A SPIDER AND A FLY Opens at First Stage Today

First Stage concludes its 25th anniversary season with DIARY OF A WORM, A SPIDER AND A FLY, a musical based on the popular book series by Doreen Cronin and Harry Bliss, today, April 13 - May 13, 2012 at the Todd Wehr Theater, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts at 929 N. Water Street, Milwaukee. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Marcus Center box office at 929 N. Water Street, by phone at (414) 273-7206 or online at www.firststage.org.

Who ever thought that we could learn so much about ourselves by looking in on the lives of a non-arthropod, an arachnid and an insect? Walk alongside the worm, the spider and the fly as they learn to overcome many of the same life challenges that we face and emerge with a better understanding - and appreciation - for who they are. For everyone ages 3 and up.

Director John Maclay, also First Stage's Associate Artistic Director and Director of the Theater Academy, has been working with First Stage since 2000 and has directed or appeared in over 25 First Stage productions. As Director of the Theater Academy and the Academy's Young Company, John has also produced over 50 productions in the First Stage high school programs. Favorite projects include AS YOU LIKE IT, MY SON PINOCCHIO, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, HOW I BECAME A PIRATE, WITNESS, THE BODY OF CHRISTOPHER CREED, GREEN GABLES and THE SHAKESPEARE STEALER. In addition to working at First Stage, John serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Theatre with the Carthage College theatre department.

The adult actor cast of DIARY OF A WORM, A SPIDER AND A FLY includes Beth Mulkerron (member of Actor's Equity Association) as Teacher/Mrs. Bee/Mrs. Fly; Stephen Scott Wormley as Grandpa Spider/Fly's Flight Instructor; and Rána Roman (member of Actor's Equity Association) as Aunt Rita.

Young performer roles are double-cast. Young performers in the Boogie Woogie cast: from Brookfield: Benjamin Kindler (as Ant), Thomas Kindler (as Ensemble 6), Isaiah Reynolds (as Spider); from Franklin: Annli Nakayama (as Ensemble 5); from Fredonia: Amanda Desimowich (as Ensemble 3); from Germantown: Emily Riesterer (as Butterfly); from Grafton: Caroline Fossum (as Ensemble 4); from Menomonee Falls: Zoe Powell (as Ensemble 1); from Milwaukee: Hannah Dion-Kirschner (as Ensemble 2), Alison Pogorelc (as Fly Girl); and from Oak Creek: Thomas Mazza (as Worm).

The young performers in the Gitterbug Cast: from Brookfield: Sofia Bosio (as Ensemble 1) and Jenn Jarecki (as Ensemble 4); from Fox Point: Kelsie Alling (as Ensemble 5); from Franksville: Conlan Ledwith (as Spider); from Germantown: Sam DeDecker (as Ensemble 6); from Hartland: Cami Westlake (as Ensemble 2) and Cole Winston (as Ant); from New Berlin: Selena Deer (as Butterfly); from Oak Creek: Austin Zdziarski (as Worm); from Oconomowoc: Arianna Imperl (as Ensemble 3); and from Whitefish Bay: Allison Yurkowitz (as Fly Girl).

The Artistic Staff for DIARY OF A WORM, A SPIDER AND A FLY includes: Martin McClendon (Scenic Designer); Alison Siple (Costume Designer); Jason Fassl (Lighting Designer); Gregor Mortis (Sound Designer); Simon Eichinger (Choreographer); Richard Carsey (Music Director); Mark Hare (Properties Director); Melissa Wanke (Stage Manager), and Christine Czerwinski (Assistant Stage Manager).

Tickets for DIARY OF A WORM, A SPIDER AND A FLY start at $13. Tickets may be purchased at www.firststage.org or through the Marcus Center box office, in person at 929 N. Water Street in downtown Milwaukee or by phone (414) 273-7206 or toll free at (888) 612-3500. The number for TDD (for deaf and hard of hearing patrons) is (414) 273-3080.

Performance dates: DIARY OF A WORM, A SPIDER AND A FLY opens today, April 13, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. Other performances are held: Saturday, April 14 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.; Sunday, April 15 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 21 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.; Sunday, April 22 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 28 at 3:30 & 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, April 29 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 5 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.; Sunday, May 6 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 12 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 13 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.

Opening Night Reception, Friday, April 13, 2012: Following the opening night performance First Stage invites all patrons to attend the Opening Night Reception at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut Street, located one mile from the Marcus Center. Patrons will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with the cast and crew of DIARY OF A WORM, A SPIDER AND A FLY while enjoying refreshments, courtesy of First Stage.

Opening weekend, today, April 13 through Sunday, April 15, 2012: A drawing for a $20 gift certificate to Rainbow Booksellers will be held immediately following each performance. Gift certificates may be redeemed for a book purchase at the First Stage merchandise counter in the lobby or at Rainbow Booksellers, located at 5704 W. Vliet Street, Milwaukee. One winner will be selected at each performance.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary in the 2011-12 season, First Stage touches hearts, engages minds, and transforms lives by creating extraordinary theater experiences for young people and families through professional Theater Productions that inspire, enlighten, and entertain; unparalleled Theater Academy training that fosters life skills through stage skills; and dynamic Theater in Education programs that promote active learning in our schools and community. First Stage is a member of TYA/USA, the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, the Wisconsin Alliance for Arts Education and Americans for the Arts, as well as Theatre Wisconsin and Milwaukee Arts Partners, and is a cornerstone member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF).

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