TheatreWorks Florida's TheatreCares to Bring SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE! to Underserved Youth This Fall

TheatreWorks Florida is thrilled and extremely proud to announce they have been awarded grants from the National Endowment for The Arts and United Arts of Central Florida to continue their successful community outreach program, TheatreCares. This unique outreach program serves a vital role to our community by bringing full-scale theatrical experiences directly to venues with audiences who are physically, emotionally, socially, financially or geographically challenged and may otherwise not have the opportunity to embrace and engage in the art of live performance.

This Fall 2015, TheatreCares will mount a touring production of the pop culture phenomenon Schoolhouse Rock Live! and perform the musical for underserved youth at 9 select community centers in the Central Florida region free of charge! Target locations will serve both Orange and Polk counties, reaching over 1100+ people during the performance tour. The show will enjoy special VIP opening performances at the Davenport Community Campus (Davenport, FL) on September 8 & 9, 2015, a full theatrical experience at Garden Theatre (Winter Garden, FL) on September 10, 2015 then tour to various venues through October 4, 2015.

Schoolhouse Rock Live!, based on the 1970's cartoon, is a fast-paced musical that teaches lessons with clever, catchy tunes. The story follows Tom, a nerve-wracked schoolteacher who is worried about his first day of teaching. He tries to relax by watching TV when various characters representing facets of his personality emerge from the TV set and show him how to win his students over with imagination and music, through such songs as "Just A Bill," "Lolly, Lolly, Lolly," and "Conjunction Junction."

Schoolhouse Rock Live! is directed and choreographed by Scott A. Cook, the artistic producer of TheatreWorks Florida. Cook has developed show designs and concepts for companies such as Universal Studios Florida and the Walt Disney World Company, and won numerous producers' honors including the Pierrots Award, Best Musical for Cats at Theatre Winter Haven in 2006 and 10 awards including Best of Fest at the 2012 Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival (Little Shop of Horrors). In fall 2012, Scott brought Elle Woods to life with Legally Blonde: The Musical (Central Florida Regional Premiere), which won Best Musical 2012-13 with BroadwayWorld Orlando. This past year, his TWF production of Sweeney Todd won Best Set, Best Musical Direction and Best Lead Actress In A Musical (BroadwayWorld Orlando 2013-14). Cook and TWF are poised to produce yet another Central Florida Regional Premiere with Hands on A Hardbody, opening at Garden Theatre (Winter Garden, FL) Jan 29, 2016.

TheatreWorks Florida chose Schoolhouse Rock Live! as the next TheatreCares production because they wanted to give back to the youth in our community with something fresh, energetic and educational. "The powerful mix of contemporary music and live theatre is an exceptional way to reach the youth of today and make a difference in their lives," says Cook.

TheatreWorks Florida is proud to announce the outstanding cast of Schoolhouse Rock Live!:

Tammy - Vicky Campadonico
George - Ryan Mobley
Joe - Robb Ross
Dori - Candy Marilyn Heller
Dina - Katrina Johnson
Shulie - Karissa Barber

Those who have previously appeared in TheatreWorks Florida past productions include Candy Marilyn Heller (Sweeney Todd, Winter Wonderettes), Ryan Mobley (Legally Blonde: The Musical), Robb Ross (Forever Plaid, Legally Blonde: The Musical, Sweeney Todd) and Katrina Johnson (Little Shop of Horrors).

Tour venues include the following: Garden Theatre, Davenport Community Campus, Parramore Kidz Zone, Kauses4Kids, Sunshine Foundation, Haines City Leisure Services, and Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida.

For further information on venue dates and times or to find out how you can help and support TheatreCares, contact Abel Gonzales, TWF Company Manager, at: theatrecares@theatreworksfl.org or (407) 340-0473.

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT - Scott Ferguson's background covers it all: director, actor, teacher and writer. THE MAIN STREET KIDS' CLUB was first workshopped at Northwestern University, which is also his alma mater. Scott is a veteran teacher and director for the NU National High School Institute. He is also the co-founder and artistic director of Theatrebam Chicago, where he conceived, co-wrote and directed the hit shows SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE! and SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE TOO!

ABOUT THEATREWORKS FLORIDA - TheatreWorks Florida is a 501.c3 professional Central Florida-based theatre company. Formed in 2007, TheatreWorks offers some of the finest theatrical musicals available today as well as produces new, original works from area artists and artists from around the country. For more information, visit www.theatreworksfl.org.

To post a comment, you must register and login.