BWW JR: 2014 New York Children's Theater Festival

It's time for this year's exciting Third Annual New York Children's Festival, running April 25 to May 18. The New York Children's Theater Festival is a spring highlight for NYC families, created to greatly widen the spectrum of existing theater offerings for children and bring new respect and heightened awareness to the art form and the artists involved. NYCTF provides a birthplace in New York City for new live children's entertainment from around the globe, and serves as a platform for writers and producers who are passionate about developing innovative theatrical experiences for children. Here's the low-down on this year's offerings:

RESCUE RUE (Friday April 25, 5:30 PM; Saturday April 26, 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM; Sunday April 27, 2:00 PM) Inspired by a true story, Rescue Rue is an original musical fairytale with puppets that tells one dog's journey from shelter to adoption, finding her fur-ever home in NYC. The show by Stacey Weingarten, is making its world premiere at The New York Children's Theater Festival.
Ages 3 to 8.

VIVA PINOCHO! (A Mexican Pinocchio!) (Friday May 2, 5:30 PM; Saturday May 3, 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM; Sunday May 4, 2:00 PM) A musical, one-man puppet show featuring puppeteer Dr. Manuel Morán, tells the classic story in a new and exciting way, employing masks, black light, marionettes, shadow puppets, animation, direct manipulation puppets, and object puppetry. The production captures the charm of the original folktale and conveys a message of hope, family and love, using Mexican rhythms and styles of music. The show is produced by Teatro SEA, written by Dr. Moran.
Ages 6 and up.

CINDERELLA, THE FAIRY GOD MOTHER'S TALE (Friday May 9, 5:30 PM; Saturday May 10, 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM; Sunday May 11, 2:00 PM) This is a hilarious re-telling of the classic story with a magical twist. Everyone knows what happened at the ball, but no one knows what the Fairy Godmother had to do for Cinderella to win the prince's heart. Follow Phoebe, the newest Fairy Godmother-in-Training, who learns that real magic comes from hard work and faith in yourself. Produced by The Whistle Stop Theatre in Ashland, VA; written by Louise Keeton.
Ages 6 and up.

MYTHOS (Friday May 16, 5:30 P; Saturday May 17, 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM; Sunday May 18, 2:00 P) When a young puppet wonders about the troubles of our world, an ancient Greek poet leads him on a journey through four fantastic myths to discover the cause of our problems, and what we can all do to make things better. This play uses three styles of puppetry, by ThinkBIG! Productions; written by Shawn Thorgersen and Heather Van Velsor.
Ages 5 and up.

All performances are at Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater, 10 West 64th St. at Central Park West (tickets $18 at Ovationtix, (866) 811-4111 or at www.newyorkchildrenstheaterfestival.org).

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