Laurie Berkner Adds New Show of 'Relaxed Performance' at Princeton's McCarter Theatre

In addition to children's music superstar Laurie Berkner's previously scheduled 3:00 p.m. family show with her band on Saturday, April 29 at the McCarter Theatre Center, 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ, Laurie will give a special, solo "relaxed performance" at 11:00 a.m. on the same day. Especially for this relaxed performance, Laurie Berkner will perform solo in an environment that has been adapted to provide a welcoming and judgment-free atmosphere for individuals with autism, learning differences, or other sensory and communication needs, so that they and their families may enjoy Laurie's live performance together.

In addition, professional staff will be on hand to assist parents and caregivers, a family restroom will be available, and there will be designated activity and relaxation areas in the lobby.

The McCarter Theatre Center has presented four relaxed performances in the past, including productions of Into the Woods, White Snake, Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, and last season's Muppet Sing-A-Long Movie.

A pioneer in children's music over the last twenty years, the legendary Laurie Berkner will bring such well-loved hits as "Bumblebee (Buzz Buzz)," "Victor Vito," "We Are The Dinosaurs," and "Pig on Her Head" to this relaxed performance, along with songs like "Bicycle," "Bubbles," and "I've Got So Much To Give" from her new album, Superhero. Laurie will showcase many fan favorites, including an array of tunes that encourage kids and grownups alike to get up and dance. Kids should plan to bring their dancing shoes and a stuffed animal (for their heads).

At her solo shows, in addition to familiar hits, Laurie Berkner performs songs that don't always fit with a full-band performance: tunes with simpler arrangements, hand motions, and a cappella singing, like "Bottle Caps," "One Seed," "Telephone," and "Drive My Car."

To give everyone a chance to catch their breath between high-energy moments, the show will include quieter interludes, with songs such as Laurie's classic "Moon Moon Moon."

A former preschool music teacher by day and indie rocker by night, Laurie Berkner started selling her music nearly two decades ago out of her living room on her own label, Two Tomatoes Records. Time Magazine lauded Laurie as "a kind of sippy-cup Sheryl Crow ... Berkner inhabits a kid's curious perspective in her lyrics and pens folk-pop melodies that bear repeated -- very repeated -- listenings." The Wall Street Journal called Laurie "one of the most popular children's performers in America ... her music is distinctive because it speaks to kids without talking down to them, charming youngsters without boring grown-ups."

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers is publishing three picture books by Laurie Berkner over the next two years. The first, We Are the Dinosaurs, was just released, to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the release of Laurie's beloved "We Are the Dinosaurs" song on her very first album, Whaddaya Think of That?

Laurie will be at Barnes & Noble/MarketFair, 3535 US Highway 1, Princeton, NJ at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, April 28 to read her We Are the Dinosaurs book aloud, sing "We Are the Dinosaurs" and "These Are My Glasses," and sign books at a meet-and-greet for fans.

Laurie Berkner Live!

In a Special, Solo "Relaxed Performance"

WHEN: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 29, 2017

WHERE: McCarter Theatre Center, 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540

TICKET PRICE: General admission: $15 plus applicable fees, using the promo code "RELAXED" upon purchase.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE TICKETS: Call 609-258-2787 or visit the McCarter Theatre Center website.

NOTE: Infants under 1 year are admitted free but must receive a ticket and be seated in an accompanying paid adult's lap. Patrons should alert the ticket office of the age of the child so the appropriate ticket can be arranged.

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