Theatreworks USA to Present Free Limited Off-Broadway Engagement of PETE THE CAT at the Lucille Lortel Theatre

This summer, Theatreworks USA, the nation's leading not-for-profit professional theatre for young audiences, will present the Off-Broadway Premiere of the new musical PETE THE CAT. It will begin performances on July 19 and run through August 18, with its benefit opening on July 25 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, between Bleecker and Hudson Streets).

When Pete the Cat gets caught rocking out after bedtime, the cat-catcher sends him to live with the Biddle family to learn some manners - and boy are they square! But for the groovy blue cat, life is an adventure no matter where you wind up, so the minute Pete walks in the door, he gets the whole family rocking. The whole family, that is, except for young Jimmy Biddle, the most organized, uptight second grader on planet earth. But when Jimmy draws a blank in art class during the last week of school, it turns out Pete is the perfect friend to help him out. Join Jimmy and Pete as they set off on an adventure in Pete's VW Bus to find inspiration, Magic Sunglasses, and friendship!

Tony-nominated Dan Knechtges will direct PETE THE CAT which features book and lyrics by Sarah Hammond and music by Will Aronson and is based on the popular series by Kimberly and James Dean. The cast includes Adante Carter (NY: Sweetee), Matt Dengler (Broadway: The Visit, A Little Night Music), Brandi Porter (Regional: Little Shop of Horrors), Kyle Sherman (Regional: City of Angles), and Sam Tedaldi (NY: Searching for Romeo). The creative team includes scenic design by Rob Odorisio, costume design by Jennifer Caprio, orchestrations by Frank Galgano and Matt Castle, casting by Jason Blitman, the associate director is Zi Alikhan and production stage manager is Philip B. Richard II.

Launched in 1989, the mission of Theatreworks USA's Free Summer Theatre Program is to provide New York City youth with their own theatre tradition that not only entertains but also educates and fosters positive values and an appreciation for theatre. This summer 15,000 FREE tickets will be distributed to PETE THE CAT.

Performances begin Wednesday, July 19th at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street). Opening Night and the Annual Opening Night Benefit is set for Wednesday, July 25th (6:30 PM). This limited engagement runs through August 18th. Educational and not-for-profit group reservations can be made by calling 212/627-7373 beginning mid-May.

Tickets for PETE THE CAT are FREE and are available on a first-come, first-served basis in-person at the Lucille Lortel Theatre Box Office (121 Christopher Street) on the day of the performance. Tickets for each day's performances will be distributed beginning one hour prior to the first performance of the day. There is a limit of four (4) tickets per adult per day. Individual tickets are extremely limited for the weekday daytime performances.

Please note: Reservations cannot be made by the general public. Only reservations from not-for-profit and educational organizations are accepted. Strollers are not allowed in the theater; no babies in arms. Please be considerate of fellow audience members. No food or drink is allowed inside the Lucille Lortel Theatre.

WANT TO SEE THE SHOW BUT DON'T WANT TO WAIT IN LINE?

VIP Members can get reserved seats by becoming a Donor to Theatreworks USA. All donations are tax-deductible and go directly to offset program costs. For every $50 you donate, you are entitled to either one reserved Adult VIP s or one reserved Child VIP ticket for the performance of your choice. Limit 10 tickets per donor. VIP reservations, including weekend performances, must be received no later than 12pm on Friday each week. For more information on becoming a Donor and supporting free theatre for youth, call 212/647-1100, ext. 131 or e-mail development@twusa.org. All sales final.

Theatreworks USA is America's foremost professional theatre for young and family audiences. Theatreworks USA's mission is to create imaginative and sophisticated shows that are educational, entertaining, and thought provoking, and to ensure that these shows are accessible to audiences across America regardless of geography and socio-economic status. Since 1961, Theatreworks USA has reached over 93 million people in 49 states and Canada, and the company now performs for about three million young people annually. Every year, the company tours approximately ten shows from its ever-growing repertoire of 133 plays and musicals. In addition, Theatreworks USA has an extensive guest artist roster of multi-cultural storytellers, musicians, puppeteers, magicians and more.

Theatreworks USA's honors include a Drama Desk Award, Lucille Lortel Award, the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation Award, the William M. Dawson Award for Programmatic Excellence given by the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, and the Medal of Honor from the Actors Fund of America. Past Free Summer Theatre productions at the Lucille Lortel Theatre include Junie B.'s Essential Survival Guide to School, Skippyjon Jones Snow What; The Lightning Thief (Lortel Award nominee: Best Musical); Skippyjon Jones (Lortel Award nominee: Best Musical); The Yellow Brick Road (Callaway nominee: Best Choreography); We the People: America Rocks! (Lortel nominee: Best Musical); Click, Clack, Moo (Lortel nominee: Best Musical, Drama Desk nominee: Best Lyrics); and Seussical (Lortel and Drama League nominee: Best Revival of a Musical). Free Summer Theatre is entirely underwritten by charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations, and public support.

Theatreworks USA's Free Summer Theatre Program is made possible with the generous support of Con Edison, Credit Suisse, The Friars Foundation, James T. Lee Foundation, The Lucille Lortel Foundation, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, New York State Council on the Arts, Nordstrom, The Shubert Foundation, The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, and other benefactors.

Thanks to the generosity of corporations, foundations, and donors, Theatreworks USA will be able to send over 12,000 underserved youth to the theatre for FREE! A limited number of free tickets will be made available to individuals each show day at the theatre on a first come, first served basis. Tickets for each day's performances will be distributed beginning one hour prior to the first performance of the day. Individuals are limited to 4 tickets per adult, per day

For more information on this show or the other programs offered by Theatreworks USA, visit www.TWUSA.org.

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