Imagination Stage Presents GEORGE AND MARTHA: TONS OF FUN! 4/9-5/28

What would we do without our best friends?! Imagination Stage, the region's leading professional theatre dedicated to children, continues its 2010-2011 season with the World Premiere of George and Martha: Tons of Fun. Inspired by the stories of George and Martha by James Marshall and adapted by Joan Cushing, the musical shares the whimsy and camaraderie of George and Martha - who are the best of friends, well, most of the time.

George and Martha: Tons of Fun runs April 9 through May 28 in the Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Theatre. Appropriate for ages 3 and up, tickets are $10 to $22, and may be purchased online at www.imaginationstage.org, at the Imagination Stage box office, or via phone at (301) 280-1660. Group rates are available. Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Best friends George and Martha play music together and share meals, presents, picnics, and exciting adventures like flying a balloon. Sometimes they have differences but like all good friends, George and Martha just can't stay angry for long! This simple story says much about our relationships at any age. Geared for our youngest theater-goers but enjoyable for all, this new musical by Joan Cushing sparkles with clever lyrics and laughter.

George and Martha: Tons of Fun is composer/lyricist Joan Cushing's sixth commission from Imagination Stage. Imagination Stage recently premiered Cushing's Heidi, which delighted young and old alike. "A new show from Joan is cause for great anticipation," says Artistic Director Janet Stanford. "She is such a talent and her work is beloved by audiences all over the country." With George and Martha: Tons of Fun, she has brought her esteemed talents to play for a slightly younger crowd. Cushing's other commissioned pieces for Imagination Stage include Junie B. Jones And A Little Monkey Business, Miss Nelson is Missing!, Miss Nelson has a Field Day, and Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood. According to TYA (Theatre for Young Audiences) Magazine, she is "the most produced playwright in children's theater."

This is Baltimore's Scott Rink's second show with Imagination Stage. Kathryn Chase Bryer said, "It is thrilling to be collaborating with someone of such a high caliber concept." He has his own dance company danceRINK and is the resident choreographer of the NYC-based Transport Broup. He is the choreographer for the musical revival of Micahel John LaChiusa's Hello Again off-Broadway.

The cast includes Michael John Casey (George), who was most recently seen as Harold in Bunnicula here at Imagination Stage. Regionally, he has worked at African Continuum Theatre, Baltimore Shakespeare Festival, Catalyst Theater, Folger Theatre, Ford¹s Theatre, Fulton Opera House, Geva Theatre, the Kennedy Center, Longacre Lea Productions, Rochester Children's Theatre, Rorschach Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Solas Nua. and Washington Shakespeare Company.

His counterpart, Martha, is played by Sandra Lee Murphy who was previously seen at Imagination Stage in Heidi, Rapunzel, Junie B. Jones And A Little Monkey Business, and The Borrowers. Sandy has worked all over the East Coast as an actor, director, and teacher. Some favorite acting credits include Earth Mother in Menopause the Musical, Mama Rose in Gypsy, the Female Greek Chorus in How I Learned to Drive, and The Kathy and Mo Show. Locally she has worked with The Kennedy Center, The Shakespeare Theatre, Signature Theatre, and Olney Theatre Center.

They are joined by Kate Guesman (Pig). She recently starred in Charming Billy at Round House Theatre and The Light in the Piazza at Arena Stage. Dereks Thomas (Dog) is honored to make his first appearance with Imagination Stage. He last appeared as Rev. Jones in the musical Passing Strange and in Superior Donuts at Studio Theatre. Nickolas Vaughan (Croc) is also making his Imagination Stage debut. He has recently appeared in Locomotion and Marcus, Barrio Grrrl!, and Don¹t Tell Me I Can¹t Fly with The Kennedy Center and Or The Secret Of Sweet at Studio Theatre.

The creative team for George and Martha: Tons of Fun includes Director Kathryn Chase Bryer, Associate Artistic Director for Imagination Stage whose most recent Junie B. Jones, Jingle Bells, Batman Smells sold to packed houses all holiday season; Musical Director Debbie Jacobson; Choreographer Scott Rink; Scenic Designer Milagros Ponce de Leon; Lighting Designer Cory Ryan Frank; Costume Designer Deb Sevigny; Sound Designer Christopher Baine; and Stage Manager Kristen J. Bishel.

GEORGE AND MARTHA: TONS OF FUN
April 9 - May 28, 2011
Performance schedule varies - please visit www.imaginationstage.org
Tickets: $10 - $22
For ages three and up

Imagination Stage
Located At: 4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD
Parking: Metered parking in the adjacent public parking garage; parking is FREE on weekends
Metro: Red Line / Bethesda Station
For Information: (301) 280-1660 or www.imaginationstage.org