THEATER
Albert Bergeret’s
New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players (NYGASP)
Are Back Again at
New York’s City Center
AND ALL IS RIGHT AS RIGHT CAN BE!
W. 55 th St. – betw. 6 th & 7 th Aves
(212) 581-1212
The Mikado –
Jan. 8 – 8 p.m., Jan. 9 – 8 p.m., Jan. 16 – 2 p.m.
The Pirates of Penzance –
Jan. 9 – 2 p.m. , Jan. 15 – 8 p.m.
H.M.S. Pinafore –
Jan. 10 – 3 p.m., Jan. 12 – 7 p.m. (Free Kids Night! Your grandkids - 12 and under, with each adult ticket purchase - will receive a backstage tour hosted by their favorite onstage character).
A New Production of Ruddigore -
Jan. 14 – 8 p.m., Jan 16 – 8 p.m., Jan. 17 - 3 p.m.
In addition to the performances, Maestro Albert Bergeret (with on-stage piano accompaniment) will host your grandkids at his entertaining and informative 45-minute Family Overture series,” which incorporates history, story plots and musical appreciation.
The Pirates of Penzance January 9th ● 12:45 p.m.
H.M.S. Pinafore January 10th ● 1:45 p.m.
The Mikado January 16th ● 12:45 p.m.
Ruddigore January 17 th ● 1:45 p.m
Your matinee admission is your ticket to Family Overture
The skilled and cheeky New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players return to City Center after a one-year gap, and as far as this Savoyard admirer is concerned, “There is beauty in the bellow of the blast..” Since the demise of the D’Oyly Carte in 2003, NYGASP is about as good as it gets in the U. S. - not least of all because they are led by the authoritative, whimsical and musically irrepressible Albert Bergeret, their founder and artistic director. From January 8 to 17, do not begin to suggest to me there is no place in this town to take your grandchildren at any age, for their cultural libation. Aside from the three all-time favorites, The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzanceand HMS Pinafore, long-time spokesman for NYGASP Peter Cromarty informs there will be a new production of the rarely-produced Ruddigore, which he describes as “a supernatural comic opera with a Harry Potterish plot – thrilling, but not chilling, replete with virtuous maidens, robust sailors, honest old folks, and dastardly bad baronets.” It will be performed in rotation with the other three, each of which will be fully-staged productions with full orchestra, under the baton of (guess who?).
(Clockwise from left) Michelle Cornelius as Dot, Karina Lucas as Flora, Kate Nelson as Mab, Beverley Klein as The Book of Fate. Photos: Catherine Ashmore.
(Foreground) Simon Wilding as Pig, Susan Boyd, (who alternates with Karina Lucas) as Flora.
The Enchanted Pig
From London’s The Opera Group:
ROH2 at the Royal Opera House & Young Vic
The New Victory Theater
209 W. 42 nd St.
646-223-3010
www.newvictory.org
Feb. 5 – 21
I’ve long maintained that the Young Vic does a consistently laudable job in presenting children’s theater. After a four-year hiatus, it is certainly good to have them back – this time in the London company’s Opera Group.The Enchanted Pig takes the best bits from much-loved fairytales and melds them into a witty, gritty modern olio of music, theater and fantasy. Here, beauty meets the beast once again when Princess Flora, the youngest of three gangly, gum-chewing sisters, learns her betrothed is a boar. Swept off to the north, she discovers that her porcine hubby is hexed and only she can break the spell. Follow Flora – along with your grandkids - from palace to pigsty in this twisty tale of mud and marriage. The production features a six-piece band and a cast of 10 performers. It arrives in New York for its only stop in the U.S. before going back to further tour the UK. Ages 7+. 120 minutes.
Paper Mill Playhouse Children’s Theater
In Association with Five Meritorious Production Companies.
22 Brookside Drive
Millburn , NJ
973-376-4343
Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m.
www.papermill.org.
Strega Nona
Produced by Maximum Entertainment
Jan. 30, 31
Based on the children’s books by Tomie dePaola, Strega Nona is the musical tale of a friendly magical witch who strives to cure the ills of her tiny Italian town of Calabria. The town faces real problems when a local lug named Big Anthony sneaks a peek at Strega Nona’s magical book, fools with her magic pasta pot and can’t figure out how to turn it off, with pasta threatening to engulf the whole town unless Strega Nona can save the day. Ages 4 to 9.
Max & Ruby
Produced by TheatreworksUSA
Feb. 6, 7
Older bunny sister Ruby has bigger responsibilities, particularly when little brother Max is up to his big ears in trouble. This charming new musical was inspired by Rosemary Wells’ books based in turn on the popular TV program, Nick Jr. and Noggin. Ages 5 to 8.
A Year with Frog & Toad
Produced by Worklight Productions
March 20, 21
My grandchildren and I had the joy of seeing Frog and Toad back in 2002 at the New Victory Theater in Manhattan and played the CD of its music relentlessly. After stellar reviews and a sold-out run, the show transferred to Broadway, where it re-opened at the Cort Theater. Based on the Arnold Lobel books, the musical follows the exploits of two great friends, the cheerful and popular Frog and the cantankerous yet endearing Toad, through the four seasons of the year. Waking from hibernation in the spring, they proceed in turn to plant gardens, swim, rake leaves and go sledding. Ages 5 to 11.
Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny
Produced by Mermaid Theater of Nova Scotia.
May 1, 2
(Note this Mermaid Theater production will be appearing at Symphony Space, 2537 B’Way @ 95 th St. (212) 864-5400, January 9 – 11 a.m. & 2 p.m.)
Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia (the company behind the black light puppet production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar) returns with its adaptation of Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd's bedtime classics. Whimsical puppetry, dreamlike imagery, and original music bring a new sense of appreciation to these stories that have delighted generations. Goodnight Moon is a celebration of familiar nighttime rituals, while The Runaway Bunny’s tale of leaving home evokes reassuring responses from his loving mum. Both stories feature appealing rabbit characters and the soothing rhythms of bunny banter and dream-like imagery. Ages 5 to 10.
Are You My Mother?
Produced by ArtsPower National Touring Theater.
May 8, 9
At long last, Baby Bird emerges from her shell and expects to be greeted by her mother’s song, but her mother is not there. With the help of Dog, Cat, and Hen, Baby Bird sets out in search of Mother Bird in this colorful musical adventure based on P.D. Eastman’s whimsical and well-loved picture book. Ages 5 to 7.
Charlotte’s Web
Produced by TheatreworksUSA.
May 15, 16
Based on E.B. White’s loving story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray spider named Charlotte, this treasured tale, featuring mad-cap and endearing farm animals, explores bravery, selfless love, and the true meaning of friendship. Ages 5 to 10 |
