Opening on Inauguration Day and closing on President's Day, TADA!'s winter original musical is starting a very important conversation with family audiences. Originally written in 1995, The History Mystery book was rewritten after the 2016 election. The History Mystery touches on women's rights, civil rights, and freedoms this country was founded on.
This musical highlights these issues demonstrating that we have not always lived up to what our forefathers set in motion, but it's up to all citizens to help fulfill the dreams! In the past, freedom was put into question, hope seemed diminished, and dreams were all people had, but with conviction we can all fight for basic human rights. It is ever so timely considering the current political climate and most recent election.
As this cast member's mother stated, "My daughter told me Eleanor Roosevelt was the person that stood out to her in history. She began discussing current issues and even calls herself a feminist. She was inspired to take action! It was the best gift a mother could ever receive. TADA! is offering my daughter education and she is thrilled to be a part of this important musical."
Travel back in time to meet famous and "not so famous" kids who when the grow up change the world. These kids just happen to be people such as; Benjamin Franklin, the Wright brothers, Suffragettes, Eleanor Roosevelt, & Martin Luther King Jr. This 1-hour musical is performed by actors ages 8-18 and suggested for family audiences. By revisiting these important people in history that made those dreams a reality, TADA! is not only remembering past issues, but reminding the audience that these issues are not as forgotten as we'd like.
The messages conveyed in this musical are sought to inspire kids to dream for that world we all want to live in- that world that consists of equality for all. The characters you meet are children, but they grow up to be adults that history could never forget. Maybe one of the kids in the audience will change the world. As the lyric says, "It's up to you and me to make history."
The History Mystery will run January 20 - February 20 at TADA! at 15 West 28th Street, 2nd Floor. Tickets start at $10 at www.tadatheater.com/shows/buy-tickets.
Since 1984, TADA!'s mission is to provide young people from different backgrounds with musical theater programs that inspire them to be creative, learn, and think differently. TADA!'s a unique Drama Desk award-winning nonprofit youth theater, producing award-winning original musicals for family audiences. TADA! offers a free, year-round, pre-professional training & youth development program through the Resident Youth Ensemble (ages 8-18); musical theater classes/camps for the public; as well as musical theater residencies in NYC schools and community centers. Through TADA!'s high-quality work, young people develop advanced skills and attributes in leadership, self-confidence, communication, responsibility, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving - skills that help with growing up and are essential to their success both in school and in life.
Janine Nina Trevens (Playwright, Director & Producing Artistic Director) co-founded TADA! in 1984 with Linda Reiff. She has served as the Artistic Director for all of the works produced by TADA!, many of which she commissioned specifically for the company. For TADA!, she has written Heroes, The Little House of Cookies, Sweet Sixteen, and The History Mystery, as well as Odd Day Rain and The Perfect Monster with composer/Lyricist Deirdre Broderick. She directs many of TADA!'s musicals, numerous staged readings, and Ensemble appearances at various locations and events in and around NYC. Nina was selected as one of 10 Parenting Leaders by Parenting Magazine, and she was one of only five women nationally to receive Family Circle's First Annual Halo Award for women who make a difference. She was chosen to be part of the #OneInspired World Observatory opening, featured as an artist that has made a NYC difference. Nina accepted the Coming Up Taller Award for TADA!'s Ensemble Program at the White House from First Lady, Laura Bush. She is proud to have served on funding panels for NYSCA, DCA, ART/NY and TCG. Nina is currently a member of the League of Professional Theatre Women.
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