Merkin Concert Hall Announces 2010-11 Family Matinees

Merkin Concert Hall's Family Matinees for children ages four to 11 continue in 2010-11 with six family-friendly productions of Broadway Playhouse, concerts celebrating Broadway's greatest musicals, and Musical Adventures with the Poppy Seed Players, musical plays for children about the Jewish heritage.

Broadway Playhouse Series

The 2011 series celebrates some of Broadway's greatest composers and lyricists:

Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein (Oklahoma!, South Pacific), Andrew Lloyd Webber (Phantom of the Opera, Sunset Boulevard) and Tom Jones & Harvey Schmidt (The Fantasticks, 110 in the Shade).

Directed by Sean Hartley, the concerts introduce children ages 4-11 to classic musicals through captivating medleys, rousing sing-alongs, lively games in which audience members participate and mini-musicals. Children and their families can also learn the stories behind the making of some of the greatest musicals of all time. The cast includes Jason Robinson, Kathryn Markey, Steve Pacek and Christina Bianco along with Mr. Hartley, who will host.

Concerts:

Sunday, January 9, 2011 at 11 am
Rodgers & Hammerstein
Composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein created a string of popular Broadway musicals in the 1940s and 1950s during what is considered the golden age of the medium. Five of their shows-Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I and the Sound of Music-were outstanding successes. Their shows (and their film versions) garnered 34 Tony Awards, 15 Academy Awards, two Grammys and a Pulitzer Prize.

Sunday, February 13, 2011 at 11 am
Andrew Lloyd Webber

The composer of enduringly popular musicals such as Phantom of the Opera, Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Lloyd Webber has won seven Tonys, three Grammys, seven Oliviers, a Golden Globe, an Oscar, two International Emmys and the Richard Rodgers Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre.

Sunday, March 6, 2011 at 11 am
Tom Jones & Harvey Schmidt

Lyricist Jones and composer Schmidt wrote the longest-running musical in history, The Fantasticks, as well as 110 in the Shade and I Do! I Do! They received an OBIE Award and the 1992 Special Tony Award for The Fantasticks.

Musical Adventures with the Poppy Seed Players Series
Now celebrating their 21st season, the Poppy Seed Players perform musical plays for children about the Jewish heritage. They're joined by the Kaufman Kids, a troupe of young performers from Kaufman Center's Lucy Moses School and Special Music School. The Poppy Seed Players include Jason Robinson, Kathryn Markey, Stephen Brennan, Christina Bianco, Jonathan Todd Ross and Leslie Blumenthal.

Concerts:

Sunday, December 5, 2010 at 11 am
Latkes & Applesauce

Merkin Concert Hall's annual family Hanukkah revue celebrates Hanukkah in the city. This joyous, family-friendly musical play includes songs and scenes by some of New York's funniest writers, including a Hanukkah version of A Christmas Carol, a mother and daughter making latkes together, a parody of "American Idol," the story of "Thomas, the Shammus" and the rousing klezmer-inspired title tune.

Sunday, March 20, 2011 at 11 am
A Poppy Seed Purim

Help! The Jews of Shushan are in danger. Good thing Queen Esther is around to save the day! Directed by Sean Hartley, this family musical takes a lighthearted look at the ancient Biblical story of Esther, bringing together delightfully vibrant characters, hilarious comedy and a catchy melodic score.

Sunday, April 10, 2011 at 11 am
Shlemiel Crooks

World Premiere! In this modern-day Passover musical based on two books by Anna Olswanger, the ghost of Pharaoh tries to sabotage Passover by stealing the wine from Reb Elias's kosher wine store. Narrated by Jerry, the family dog, and featuring a couple of dimwitted crooks named Burt and Ernie, this hilarious but warm-hearted new musical about the importance of family loyalty and the need to follow your dream features songs by Scott Ethier and Clay Zambo and a script by Sean Hartley and Bob Kolsby.

Ticket Information:
3-concert Broadway Playhouse OR Poppy Seed Players series subscription: $48
Single tickets: $20

Merkin Concert Hall
129 West 67th Street (between Broadway and Amsterdam)
Tickets at 212 501 3330 or www.kaufman-center.org

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