Musical 'Tale of Pigling Bland' Plays Toronto, 7/6-7/15

M. Kitz Productions has announced that Beatrix Potter's beloved children's story, The Tale of Pigling Bland, will come to musical life at this year's Toronto Fringe Festival for eight shows from July 6th to July 15th.

Directed and choreographed by Marc Richard, The Tale of Pigling Bland "is a fun family musical about a pig who is forced to find his way in the world -- the perfect coming-of-age PIG story! Beatrix Potter is the most popular children's author of all time, so this musical is sure to be a hit with children aged 3 to 9 (and their parents). The running time of 45 minutes is perfect for a child's first musical theatre experience!," state press notes on the show, which is co-written by Suzy Conn and Mitchell Kitz.

Conn (book and lyrics) previously wrote Plane Crazy, which was honoured at last fall's New York Musical Theatre Festival, while Kitz (music) is a respected Toronto-area composer, a graduate of the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop in New York, and the writer, arranger, and music director for the children's show "4-SQUARE" on Treehouse TV.

According to Conn, "This is a children's musical with a classic show tune structure. I would describe it as 'sophisticated yet accessible'. This musical features interesting rhymes and new memorable melodies, with more story, more action, and more heart."

The show will include performances from a cast of graduates from Sheridan College's Music Theatre Performance Program, including Daniel Greenberg as Pigling Bland; Lana Sugarman as PigWig; Rachel Brittain as Alexander; Rebecca Stewart as Aunt Pettitoes; Janna Polzin as Cat; Trevor Campbell as Dog; Trevor Williams as Piperson; and Andrew Chandler as Policeman. The show will feature costumes by Melissa Joakim, sets by Shawndra White and props by Don McMahon.

The orchestra will featuresa strolling band playing a combination of instruments - with Heather Amyot on accordian, Julia Hambleton on clarinet, and Mitchell Kitz on baritone.

All performances are at the Toronto Fringe Festival KidsVenue space at the Palmerston Library Theatre at 560 Palmerston Avenue (near Bathurst and Bloor). For tickets call 416.966.1062 or visit fringetoronto.com. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children.

Visit www.piglingblandthemusical.com or Conn's blog at www.blogwaybaby.com for more information.