Westport Country Playhouse to Present MADELINE AND THE BAD HAT, 11/17

Westport Country Playhouse will open its 2013-14 Family Festivities Series with the musical, "Madeline and the Bad Hat," based on Ludwig Bemelmans' "Madeline" classic books, on Sunday, November 17, 1 and 4 p.m. The story traces the adventures of a young Parisian girl who, despite starting off on the wrong foot with a mischievous new neighbor, eventually learns that first impressions aren't everything. Produced by ArtsPower, the show is recommended for grades K - 2. Running time is approximately one hour. Family Festivities shows are presented on selected Sundays from November through March, at 1 and 4 p.m. Pre-show activities begin one hour before each performance at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets are $20.

Focusing on the unbreakable bonds of friendship and family, "Madeline and the Bad Hat" begins when the Spanish Ambassador moves into the house next door to Madeline's boarding school. Madeline, Miss Clavel, who is the caretaker of the girls at the school, and the other girls quickly discover that his son Pepito is a true horror. Rude and conceited, Pepito seems at first to be nothing but trouble. But when Pepito unexpectedly finds himself in real danger, it's up to the resourceful Madeline to get him out of it. Can she teach Pepito a lesson in the bargain, and does he have a hidden good side after all? This gently amusing tale of enemies-become-friends will charm and entertain children and parents alike.

ArtsPower was founded by identical twins Mark and Gary Blackman in 1985. Its 27 original, professional touring musicals and dramas have been seen by 12 million people in 48 states in hundreds of the nation's top regional theaters, including The Kennedy Center and Lincoln Center.

To kick-off the 2013-14 Family Festivities series, The Playhouse invites the community to a free-of-charge party on Sunday, November 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. The fun will include an opportunity for kids to dress up and pose on The Playhouse stage, face painting, and activities from Sportsplex Fairfield and Westport Library. In addition to information about the upcoming Family Festivities shows, there will be companion books for sale, and special, one-day-only ticket offers. Tasty nibbles will be offered with free samples from Planet Fuel, Yumnuts and o.a.t.s granola, along with additional concessions available for purchase.

Upcoming Family Festivities presentations include "Circo Comedia" on Sunday, December 15, "Dino-Light, on Sunday, January 18, "Sleeping Beauty Dreams," on Sunday, February 9, "Diary of a Worm, a Spider, and a Fly," on Sunday, March 9, and "Seussical," on Sunday, March 23.

In conjunction with the Family Festivities Series, The Playhouse will host a book collection of gently used and new children's books for Read to Grow, Inc.

Family Festivities Partners are Meredith and David Bukzin, Galia Gichon and Adam Clemens, and Darlene Krenz.

Everyone in the audience requires a ticket. For more information or tickets, call the box office at (203) 227-4177, or toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Tickets are available online 24/7 at www.westportplayhouse.org. Stay connected to The Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse), view Playhouse videos on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse) or get an insider's peek on The Playhouse Blog (www.theplayhouseblog.org).

To post a comment, you must register and login.