The Growing Stage to Present AND THEN CAME TANGO, 3/6-29

The Growing Stage, The Children's Theatre of New Jersey, located in the Historic Palace Theatre on Route 183 in Netcong, New Jersey will present the world premiere production of AND THEN CAME TANGO from March 6th through the 29th with performances Friday evenings at 7:30 PM, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 4:00 PM. AND THEN CAME TANGO, written by Emily Freeman, is the winner of our 2014 New Play- Reading Festival. This production is under the direction of Stephen L. Fredericks, The Growing Stage's Executive Director with choreography by Jillian Petrie and original music by Paul Marbach.

AND THEN CAME TANGO tells the story of a 10 year old girl, Lily that forms a friendship with the zookeeper of the penguin exhibit at the Central Park Zoo after participating in a summer enrichment program. Together they experience the reaction of the community when two male penguins establish a bond to hatch an unclaimed egg. Inspired by a true story, AND THEN CAME TANGO is a tender story that celebrates both tolerance and the inherent desire of one generation to foster the growth of the next. The production is a non- musical that is enhanced through modern dance in bringing the penguins to life.

AND THEN CAME TANGO features the talents of professional equity performers and dancers in the cast. John Patrick Cleary of High Bridge, a veteran Growing Stage actor, returns to the Palace Theatre in the role of Walter the Zoo Keeper; Savannah McLaughlin of Flanders makes her debut as 10 year old Lily; Melissa Cox of Summit plays Mom; Nikole Rizzo, last seen as Arista in Disney's The Little Mermaid plays Wendy the Penguin and the Reporter. Rounding out the cast are dancers Geovanny Fischetti of Phillipsburg, Matthew Varvar of Belvidere, Heather Elizabeth Fleischman of Holland, Lauren Santarelli of Hackettstown, Matthew Fralley of Netcong and Mackenzie Miller of Rockaway as our Penguins.

Enhance your theatergoing experience with pre and post show-activities. Join us Opening Week March 6th through the 8th for post-show talkback sessions with the playwright and creative team. The Growing Stage continues FUN-tastic Fridays with all tickets $15! Saturday and Sunday tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for children and seniors. To purchase tickets, please visit our website at www.growingstage.com or contact the Box Office at (973) 347-4946. Group rates and Birthday Party packages are available.