Kennedy Center Announces World Premiere Jane Goodall Musical ME...JANE

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents a world premiere Kennedy Center commission, Me... Jane: The Dreams & Adventures of Young Jane Goodall, a new musical based on Patrick McDonnell's Caldecott Honor Book. Running November 18-December 10 in the Family Theater, Me... Jane follows young Jane Goodall and her toy chimpanzee, Jubilee, as they learn about the world around them and the importance of protecting all living species. With anecdotes taken directly from Jane Goodall's autobiography and a memorably catchy original score, this Kennedy Center-commissioned adaptation makes this very true story accessible for the young-and the young at heart.

"The idea of bringing Me... Jane to the stage is very exciting," says Dr. Jane Goodall. "I love the book and I am sure that the live action will inspire children of all ages to pursue their dreams and to realize if Jane did it, they can do it, too."

From the team behind the Kennedy Center's 2014 production of The Gift of Nothing, Me... Jane is adapted by Patrick McDonnell, Aaron Posner, and Andy Mitton, with music and lyrics by Andy Mitton. The production is directed by Aaron Posner with choreography by Christopher d'Amboise and music direction by William Yanesh. The role of Young Jane will be played by four-time Helen Hayes Award winner Erin Weaver. She will be joined onstage by Helen Hayes Award winner Tracy Lynn Olivera as Jane's Mum, Awa Sal Secka, Eymard Cabling, and Sam Ludwig.

Me... Jane includes scenic design by Paige Hathaway, lighting design by Andrew Cissna, costume design by Helen Q. Huang, projection design by Olivia Sebesky, sound design by Justin Schmitz, and properties by Kasey Hendricks.

Even before she became a renowned humanitarian, conservationist, and animal activist, Young Jane of Me...Jane, exemplified the ideals of service and courage often ascribed to President John F. Kennedy, making this production a fitting inclusion to JFKC: A Centennial Celebration of John F. Kennedy.

This production is most enjoyed by ages 6 and up.

Ticket Information

Me... Jane: The Dreams & Adventures of Young Jane Goodall will be performed on Saturday, November 18 at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.; Sunday, November 19 at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.; Wednesday, November 22 at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.; Friday, November 24 at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.; Saturday, November 25 at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 5 p.m.; November 26 at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m; December 2 at 11 a.m.,1:30 p.m., and 5 p.m.; December 9 at 11a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 5 p.m.; and December 10 at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets for the performance are $20 and are currently on sale. For more information please visit the Kennedy Center website, in-person at the Kennedy Center box office, or call (202) 467-4600 or (800) 444-1324.

Funding Credits

Bank of America is the Presenting Sponsor of Performances for Young Audiences.

Additional support for Me...Jane: The Dreams & Adventures of Young Jane Goodall is provided by James & Alice B. Clark Foundation;

The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; and the U.S. Department of Education.

Funding for Access and Accommodation Programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by the
U.S. Department of Education.

Major support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by
David and Alice Rubenstein through the Rubenstein Arts Access Program.

Support for JFKC: A Centennial Celebration of John F. Kennedy is provided by
Ambassador Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, Chevron,
The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, Northern Trust, and Target.

Kennedy Center education and related artistic programming is made possible through the generosity of the National Committee for the Performing Arts and the
President's Advisory Committee on the Arts.

About Education at the Kennedy Center

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is the national champion for arts learning and creativity. Committed to increasing opportunities for all people to participate in, learn about, and understand the arts, Education at the Kennedy Center offers programs and events that strive to reflect the nation and communities and that are accessible and inclusive for all. From performances and exhibits on the Center's stages and in the community, to classroom and community partnerships, including the recent addition of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities Turnaround Arts initiative, to online resources accessible nearly anywhere, the Center serves the burgeoning artist, the exploring student of any age, the teacher and teaching artist, and even the local and national infrastructure-any person interested in arts learning and utilizing the arts for positive change. As an essential component of the living memorial to President Kennedy, the Center's Education utilizes the arts to embrace the ideals of service, justice, freedom, courage, and gratitude, and to activate and support the Citizen Artists in all our audiences. For more information, please visit kennedy-center.org/education/.

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