Preview Performances of Off-Broadway's LOUIS ARMSTRONG: JAZZ AMBASSADOR Cancelled

Due to Hurricane Sandy, the preview performances (Saturday, November 3 at 3:00pm and 7:00pm and Sunday, November 4 at 3:00pm) of the new musical Louis Armstrong: JAZZ AMBASSADOR have been canceled. The World-Premiere new musical with book by Myla Churchill (Making Books Sing's "A Band of Angels") and featuring music made famous by Louis Armstong will continue to open on schedule on Sunday, November 4 at 6:00pm at Theater 3 (311 West 43rd Street) in Manhattan, it has been announced by Making Books Sing Artistic Director, Barbara Zinn-Krieger.

Louis Armstrong: JAZZ AMBASSADOR is presented Off-Broadway by Making Books Sing, the critically acclaimed New York-based non-profit that promotes children's literacy and social development through professional Theater Productions and arts-in-education programs, in conjunction with The Louis Armstrong House Museum and the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College.

Back in the fifties, when the United States had a diplomatic mission of utmost importance, it deployed its supersonic weapon, Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong. Known worldwide for his toothy grin, fun-loving personality and the brass brilliance of his jazz cornet, nobody spread the gospel of goodwill towards men quite like Ambassador Satch. Until nine little children from Little Rock, Arkansas are denied admission to school and Louis is forced to question, is American equality for all?

Carlos Armesto will direct and Jeremy Giraud Abram will star in the title role in Louis Armstrong: JAZZ AMBASSADOR.

Louis Armstrong: JAZZ AMBASSADOR will feature music performed each night, live by "The Queens College Hot Six."

In addition to its run at Theater 3, Louis Armstrong: JAZZ AMBASSADOR will be presented at the Kupferberg Center for the Performing Arts at Queens College in January 2013 and Stanford Lively Arts in Stanford, CA in March 2013. After which it will tour schools throughout the New York City area.

Making Books Sing began in 1996 as a program of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Vineyard Theatre, which Krieger founded in 1981 and led until 2002. Making Books Sing is the only theater company of its kind dedicated to combining literacy with the performing arts by creating professional theatre works based on contemporary children's books from diverse cultures. Making Books Sing has reached over 100,000 school-aged children and their families with its musical productions based on books such as: BEAUTIFUL WARRIOR, BIRD WOMAN: THE STORY OF SACAJAWEA, A BAND OF ANGELS, THE ORPHAN SINGER, THE BUTTERFLY, A SHELTER IN OUR CAR, Jose Limon: The Making of an Artist, TEA WITH CHACHAJI and SKY BOYS: THE BUILDING OF THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING. Up next at Making Books Sing will be WANDA'S MONSTER from April 20 through May 12 at Theatre 3, and will feature music and lyrics by Kindie rock sensation Laurie Berkner (The Laurie Berkner Band) and book by Making Books Sing Artistic Director Barbara Zinn Krieger (MBS's THE BUTTERFLY, SKY BOYS).

Scheduled November 4th through November 18th, Louis Armstrong JAZZ AMBASSADOR will perform Fridays at 7:00pm, Saturdays at 3:00pm & 7:00pm, and Sundays 3:00pm & 6:00pm at Theater 3 (311 West 43rd Street) in Manhattan. Tickets are $20 Adults; $15 Children and can be purchased online at www.MakingBooksSing.org or by calling 646-250-1178.

For more information about Louis Armstrong: JAZZ AMBASSADOR or Making Books Sing, please visit www.MakingBooksSing.org.

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