Cincinnati Playhouse to Present THE SHORT TREE AND THE BIRD THAT COULD NOT SING, 4/8-5/24

The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park's Off the Hill series for families concludes with THE SHORT TREE AND THE BIRD THAT COULD NOT SING, which will tour to community venues throughout the Tristate from April 8 through May 24. Recommended for ages 5 and up, the show is a wacky fable of an unlikely friendship between a tree that resents its roots and a spunky, unflappable bird with a horrible singing voice.

Adapted by Dennis Foon from his picture book of the same name, the play follows the bird and tree's relationship as it builds around the joys of music, storytelling, the weather and the stars. The two friends must navigate the ups and downs of getting to know one another, growing closer and suddenly finding themselves apart.

Playhouse Education Director Mark Lutwak, who will direct the production, calls THE SHORT TREE AND THE BIRD THAT COULD NOT SING "a charming and funny play about building friendship and separation - two processes with which young kids are familiar. For kids, it's an epic and entertaining journey with a full roller coaster of emotions."

The cast includes Meggy Hai Trang (Ensemble), Chelsea D. Harrison (Ensemble), Rico Reid (Short Tree), Sam Rueff (Ensemble), Shayna Schmidt (Bird) and Britian Seibert (Ensemble), all members of the Playhouse's Bruce E. Coyle Acting Intern Company. Other production team members include Melanie Burgess (Set/Props/Costume Designer), Katherine Stromberger (Set/Props/Costume Design Associate), Sherry Tippey (Puppet Construction), Kendra Struthers (Music Director), Aly Michaud (Choreographer) and Tracy Hoida (Stage Manager).

For more information about the Playhouse's education and outreach programs, contact the Education Department at 513-345-2242 or visit www.cincyplay.com.

Off the Hill is made possible by The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation and the John A. Schroth Family Charitable Trust, PNC Bank, Trustee. This production is supported by the Charles H. Dater Foundation. The season is presented by The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation and Heidelberg Distributing Company. The season sponsor of new work is The Lois and Richard Rosenthal Foundation.

The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the tens of thousands of individuals and businesses that give to ArtsWave.

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

The Playhouse also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.