TOMAS AND THE LIBRARY LADY Comes to Harris Center

"Dedicated to "creating theater so strikingly original that it instills in young people an enduring awe, love, and respect for the medium," the award-winning Childsplay brings the story of Tomás, the young son of migrant farm workers. A chance encounter introduces him to the Library Lady, who recognizes his thirst for knowledge and encourages him to read; his delight in books is equaled by his pride in teaching Spanish to the Library Lady. A bilingual musical based on the true story of Tomás Rivera, the first minority Chancellor in the University of California system. The production is best for grades K-5.

Tomás and the Library Lady comes to Harris Center for one performance on Saturday, October 6, 2018, at 1 pm. Tickets are $15-$18; Students with ID & Children: $11.50-$14. Tickets are available online at www.harriscenter.net or from the Harris Center Ticket Office at 916-608-6888 from 12 noon to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday, and two hours before show time. Parking is included in the price of the ticket. The Harris Center is located on the west side of Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom, CA, facing East Bidwell Street.

Tomás and the Library Lady tells the true story of Tomás Rivera, a Chicano author, poet and educator who found an unlikely friend in a librarian when he was a young boy. "What a fabulous production! I love this story because I think it's just a wonderful story of our country and the opportunities people have" (Former First Lady Laura Bush).

It goes like this: Tomás loves stories. As the young son of migrant farm workers, he spends the summer with his family following the crops north from Texas to Iowa, passing long days in the fields listening to his grandfather tell stories. Before long, Tomás knows all of Papa Grande's tales by heart.

When a chance encounter brings him to the local Carnegie Library, he meets the Library Lady who recognizes his thirst for knowledge and encourages him to read. His delight in books is equaled by his pride in teaching Spanish to the Library Lady, trading knowledge and respect between generations and cultures. Soon his imagination takes off as he reads book after book, discovering a world filled with dinosaurs, tigers, and explorers! By the end of the summer, Tomás has great pride in becoming his family's new storyteller, the guidance of a colorful mentor, and a lifelong love of reading.

A bilingual musical based on the beloved book about the true story of the Mexican-American author and educator Tomás Rivera, who became the first minority Chancellor in the University of California system. This inspirational production shows how reading and education - and self-esteem - can make anything possible.

"I believe that Tomás and the Library Lady is an empowering story for young people because it speaks about following your dreams, about using your imagination, the power of reading books, and making new friends," said Playwright José Cruz González. While creating the play, González researched the life of Tomás Rivera, contacted his widow and brother and even visited the Tomás Rivera Library at the University of California at Riverside. "As I dug into the story of the real Tomás Rivera, I found so much to add into the [play] adaptation," said González.

Tomás and The Library Lady features Enrique Guevara as Tomás and Elizabeth Polen as The Library Lady.

Childsplay, Inc. is a resident professional company of adult actors who teach and perform for young audiences and families. The internationally respected theater company believes that young people deserve to experience theater of the highest artistic quality. Childsplay has performed for more than 5 million children and adults and has grown to serve an average annual audience of 250,000 children, teachers and families. Childsplay's educational programming has expanded dramatically in response to the needs of school partners. Over 1,500 young people attend classes each year in the Childsplay Theatre Academy, and nearly 5,000 students experience drama directly in their classrooms through Childsplay's Education Outreach programs.

For more information, visit www.childsplayaz.org.

The Harris Center for the Arts at Folsom Lake College brings the community together to share in cultural experiences featuring the work of artists from throughout the region and around the world. Built and operated by the Los Rios Community College District, the $50 million, state-of-the-art regional performing arts center boasts three intimate venues with outstanding acoustics, an art gallery, a recording studio, elegant teaching spaces, plenty of safe parking and all the other amenities of a world-class performing arts venue. Each year the Center hosts over 400 events attracting more than 150,000 annually.

To post a comment, you must register and login.