Lily’s Crossing
February 22-23 & 27-29
for Intermediate grades 4-6
by ArtsPower, Verona NJ
Lily is a fifth grader who spends her summer vacations at Rockaway Beach, NY. This story, based on Patricia Reilly Giff’s Newbery Honor book, takes place in 1944. When Lily’s best friend moves away and her father enlists in the Army, she truly feels alone. She befriends a boy from Hungary, but tells a lie that may endanger his life. This moving drama features period costumes, realistic sound effects and creative sets. It depicts serious issues, with the premise that despite trouble in the world, friends and family can provide support, hope and love. It was presented in OJP’s 2008 season. Teachers appreciated the historical theme and found that advance reading of the book in class enhanced the theater experience.
Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters
March 5-9 & 12-16
for Primary grades 1-3 and Intermediate grades 4-6
by Dallas Children’s Theater on Tour
When a great African king desires a wife, only the most perfect maidens in the land are invited to meet him. Mufaro’s pride and joy, his two daughters (who are of very different dispositions), travel a half day’s journey through a mystical jungle and across a deep river to be presented to the king. Along the way the two girls encounter a number of situations that test their courage, kindness and strength of spirit. Combining authentic African drumming, powerful and majestic choreography and thrilling original music, the splendor of Zimbabwe and energy of the African land will burst onto stage in this Caldecott Award-winning Cinderella tale. This simple story is a staple for young students, and found in middle school literature books as an example of stories from other cultures. This stunning production is live theater at its best!
Jim West’s “Dinosaurs”
April 25-27 & 30, May 1-2
For Primary grades 1-3
by TheatreWorksUSA, New York NY
“Dinosaurs” combines classical music, puppet construction and facts about dinosaurs into an engaging and funny performance. The show consists of four parts: building a Tyrannosaurus Rex, a shadow tale about the Oviraptor, a story of a little Brachiosaurus, and the construction of a huge Apatosaurus. Compositions by Mussorgsky, Ravel, Grofe, Strauss, Stravinsky, Prokofiev, and Mahler provide the background music.
Between the sections, our host, Fossil (a small blue dinosaur puppet), interacts with Jim as he searches for his identity and new dinosaur facts. OJP presented Jim West in 2004 and 2007 with Aesop’s Fables; ratings for his shows were excellent, and teachers requested his return.
Performances at 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM
at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts
For information about the shows contact Kris Bartruff (360) 438-5992
For seating contact Karen Edwards (360) 491-1904, edwards1home@comcast.net