Theatreworks USA to Stage Off-Broadway Premiere of 'SKIPPYJON JONES SNOW WHAT'

This summer Theatreworks USA, the nation's leading not-for-profit professional theatre for young audiences, will present the Off-Broadway Premiere of Skippyjon Jones Snow What (& the 7 Chihuahuas).

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the bravest Chihuahua of them all? Skippyjon Jones the Siamese cat who thinks he's a Mexican Chihuahua of course! While his sisters listen to "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," Skippy heads off for the REAL adventure awaiting him in his closet. There, as his alter ego Skippito Friskito, and with the help of his friends the Seven Chimichangos, Skippyjon must rescue the beautiful princess Nieve Qué (Snow What), battle the evil dragon and defeat the Bruja. A brand new musical based on the book by Judy Schachner, Skippyjon Jones Snow What is a twist on the classic fairytale "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."

The cast features L.R. Davidson (Jezebel/Poquito Tito), Alexander Ferguson (as Jilly Boo/Don Diego), Junior Mendez (Skippyjon Jones), Jeremy Morse (Mama Junebug/ The Wicked Bruja), and Lexi Rhoades (Ju Ju Bee/Nieve Que). Directed by Kevin Del Aguila with choreography by Connor Gallagher, Skippyjon Jones Snow What features book and lyrics by Kevin Del Aguila with music by Eli Bolin. The production features scenic design by Rob Odorisio, costume design by Tracey Christensen, and lighting design by Greg Solomon. Orchestrations are by Matt Castle and Frank Galgano. Matt Castle will also serve as music director. The production stage manager is Byron F. Abens.

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 Skippyjon Jones Snow What.

Performances begin Thursday July 2nd at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street). Opening Night is set for Wednesday July 8th (6:30 PM). This limited engagement runs through August 7th. Educational and not-for-profit group reservations can be made by calling 212/627-7373 beginning May 11th. Thanks to the generosity of corporations, foundations, and donors, Theatreworks will be able to send over 10,000 underserved youth to Free Summer Theatre for FREE!

Skippyjon Jones Snow What is a 60-minute, one-act musical recommended for children ages 4 & up. Performances will be Monday through Friday at 10:30am and 1pm; Sundays at 2pm and 4:30pm; no performances on Saturdays. Sunday July 5 there is a special 10:30am preview performance. Additional performances are scheduled for Thursday July 16 and Thursday July 30 at 6pm. Schedule Exceptions: There are no 1pm performances Thursday July 2 & Friday July 3 and no 10:30am performance on Wednesday July 8. There is no 4:30pm performance on Sunday July 19 and Sunday August 2.

Tickets for Skippyjon Jones Snow What 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 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 BWF Foundation, 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.

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

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