Making Books Sing

Tea with Chachaji

Saturday, Jan 30, at 1PM and 4PM
Sunday, Jan 31, at 1PM and 4PM
Wednesday, Feb 3, at 7PM
$16

Book and Lyrics by Gwynne Watkins
Music by Denver Casado

Based on the book, "Chachaji's Cup" by Uma Krishnaswami with illustrations by Soumya Sitaraman. Published 2004 by Children's Book Press.

Directed by Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj
Musical Direction by Tim Rosser

Chachaji, 10-year-old Neel’s great uncle, sips chai as he shares Hindu myths with Neel and his Indian-born mother. But, the greatest story of all is found in Chachaji’s teacup. This precious heirloom migrated with young Chachaji and his mother from Pakistan to India after the Partition of 1947. As they walked many miles, she swore to her son, “If this fragile cup can make it without breaking, so can we.”

As Neel grows older and busier, so grows the distance between Indian tradition and his American life. Then, after carelessly breaking Chachaji’s cup, the young teen must repair this symbol of survival and his relationship with his great-uncle. In doing so, he learns to value family and heritage.

Based on the book Chachaji’s Cup by Uma Krishnaswami, this beautifully staged production features award-winning talent and live music played on authentic Indian instruments.

Ages: 8+

A Making Books Sing presentation

MAXIMUM ENTERTAINMENT
In Association with
ACTIVE ARTS THEATER FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES
presents

Tomie dePaola's Strega Nona

Saturday, Feb 6, at 1:30PM
$25

With music and additional lyrics by Aron Accurso
Adapted for the Stage by Thomas W. Olson
Based on the books by Tomie dePaola
Lyrics by Roberta Carlson

Based on the beloved children's books by Tomie dePaola, Strega Nona the Musical is the tale of a friendly, magical witch who strives to cure the everyday ills of the tiny Italian town of Calabria. The town faces real problems when a local lug, Big Anthony, sneaks a peek at Strega Nona's magic book and uses Strega Nona’s magical ways for selfish means. When Anthony fools with the magic pasta pot, and can't figure out how to turn it off, pasta threatens to engulf the whole town -- unless Strega Nona can save the day. Featuring an energetic score by composer Aron Accurso, the use of traditional Commedia dell’arte and a set design inspired by the Strega Nona pop-up book; this enchanting production illustrates the importance of the adage “be careful what you wish for, lest it come true” and that you can’t judge a pot by its pasta!

Ages: 4+

A TribecaPAC Presentation

Family Series

Paper Bag Players presents

Great Mummy Adventure

Sunday, March 7, at 11:30 and 1:30 PM
$25

From a thrilling journey to the land of the pharaohs in search of a mysterious Mummy to the lyrical story of a postman who dreams he’s a butterfly; from a picnic that turns into a dance-a-thon with the whole audience joining in to the paint-flying musical finale, THE PAPER BAG PLAYERS' GREAT MUMMY ADVENTURE is a merry mix of stories, music, painting, audience participation, paper bag costumes, and adventure!  Paper Bag Players favorites Ted, Laura, Kevin, Amy, and John at the electric piano bring it to thrilling theatrical life.  If you’ve never seen The Paper Bag Players, this show is for you. If you have, it’s time to come back and be amazed all over again.

Ages: PreK+

A Paper Bag Players presentation

Omaha Theatre Company for Young People

The Little Engine That Could

Sunday, March 14, at 3:00PM
$25

Watty Piper’s The Little Engine That Could is a time-honored classic and one of the greatest tales of motivation ever told.  In this well-loved classic featuring songs, dance and dazzling costumes, the Little Engine overcomes seemingly impossible odds to carry a train full of toys over an imposing mountain.  The Little Engine That Could is an entertaining and inspirational favorite that offers a valuable lesson for children and adults alike about the power of optimism.

This colorful and heartwarming play comes to the stage with sassy, colorful life-sized toys of a bygone time.  It features several large engines—one too proud, one too powerful and one too old.  Each are asked to pull a heavy train over the mountain, but all refuse.  The Little Engine is the only one that agrees to try and will succeed with the help of an interactive audience! And now, for the first time, all can see this story on stage, with life-sized toys and train engines, and lots of song and dance.

Ages: 3+

A TribecaPAC Presentation

Family Series

Dallas Children's Theater

Most Valuable Player

Saturday, April 10, at 1:30PM
$25

This triumphant story of Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to play professional major league baseball, chronicles the young athlete's nonviolent struggle to integrate what was then considered a "white man's game."

Through it all, Jackie's courage, intelligence, leadership, resilience and athletic skill propelled him to become a national hero.

Ages: 4 - 7

A TribecaPAC Presentation

Family Series

ArtsPower National Touring Company

Jigsaw Jones: The Case of the Class Clown

Saturday, May 15, at 1:30PM
$25

Athena Lorenzo has been slimed and she doesn't think it's very funny. Someone in Ms. Gleason's class is playing practical jokes. Theodore “Jigsaw” Jones claims to be the very first detective in the whole school. It's up to Jigsaw and his friend Mila to investigate the sliming and track down the class clown. This could be their stickiest case yet!

Brimming with music, charm, and humor, ArtsPower’s new production – based on the book by renowned author James Preller - will make audiences laugh and think as they learn the secret codes that Jigsaw must decipher to solve the mystery.

Ages: 5+

A TribecaPAC Presentation

Family Series