Pittsburgh International Children's Theater to Present Theatreworks USA's MARTHA SPEAKS, 2/10-17

Pittsburgh International Children's Theater, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, presents Theatreworks USA, in the Pittsburgh premiere of, Martha Speaks, from February 10 - 17, 2013, at six performance locations throughout the area.

Performance locations include: City: Byham Theater, Sunday, February 10 at 2:00 p.m. & Student Matinee: Monday, February 11 at 10:15 a.m.; Workshop: Grow Up Great, Wednesday, February 13; East: Linton Middle School, Wednesday, February 13 at 7:00 p.m.; North: Marshall Middle School, Thursday, February 14 at 5:30 & 7:30 p.m.; West: Hopewell High School, Friday, February 15 at 7:00 p.m.; South: Mount Lebanon High School, Saturday, February 16 at 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.; and Butler: Seneca Valley Senior High School, Sunday, February 17 at 2:00 p.m. Citizens Bank is the season sponsor of Pittsburgh International Children's Theater.

Martha Speaks is a musical based on the books Martha Speaks and Martha Calling written by Susan Meddaugh. The books were adapted for the stage by Kevin Delaguila, and set to lyrics by Jill Abramovitz with the music of composer Brad Alexander. The play follows the adventures of Helen, her family, and their dog Martha. One day Martha eats a bowl of alphabet soup and begins to talk! Martha shocks everyone and quickly learns to use the telephone. Even though she is forbidden, she calls into a radio station for a trivia contest and wins the family an all-expenses-paid trip to a luxurious hotel. There is only one problem - the hotel has a no pets allowed policy. Will Martha's family go on vacation without her or will Martha's clever way with words save the day? The performance is approximately 55 minutes and recommended for children ages 3-10.

Since 1961, Theatreworks USA has enlightened, entertained, and instructed over 78 million people in 49 states and Canada. The company tours approximately 16 shows from its ever-growing repertoire of 117 plays and musicals, performing for about four million people annually. Under the direction of Barbara Pasternack (Artistic Director) and Ken Arthur (Managing Director), Theatreworks USA is the only children's theatre to receive both a Drama Desk and a Lucille Lortel Award, and they are known for an extensive multi-cultural guest artist roster, including storytellers, puppeteers, poets, and magicians.

Author and illustrator Susan Meddaugh has written and illustrated many books including the Martha series based on her own dog, Martha. Meddaugh knew she wanted to draw since elementary school and graduated from Wheaton College majoring in Fine Arts and French Literature. She worked for a publishing company for about 10 years and then branched out on her own as a freelance illustrator and creator of children's books. She was inspired to write the Martha books when her son asked if their family dog would be able to speak if she ate alphabet soup. Since then Meddaugh has written many more books about Martha and Martha Speaks was chosen as a New York Times Best Illustrated Book for 1992. Her work also inspired the PBS television series "Martha Speaks." Popular with children and parents, Meddaugh's work continues to delight all ages.

Individual tickets ($11 at the door; $9.50 in advance) can be ordered online at www.trustarts.org/kids, by calling (412) 456-6666, or in person at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue. Group tickets can be ordered by calling (412) 471-6930.

Pittsburgh International Children's Theater, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, opens the door for children to experience professional performing arts programming which inspires, challenges, educates, and stimulates respect for and an understanding of all cultures in an entertaining and enlightening way. Each year Pittsburgh International Children's Theater presents a Family Series and the Pittsburgh International Children's Festival, which is one of only four international children's theater festivals in the nation.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit organization whose mission is the cultural and economic development of Pittsburgh's 14-block Cultural District through public and private support. The Trust presents and encourages diverse performing and visual arts programs within the District, and is an impetus for additional development in downtown Pittsburgh. For more, visit www.TrustArts.org.

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