Disney's 'Geppetto and Son', New Stage Musical, Premieres at TUTS

TUTS' Humphreys School of Musical Theatre is thrilled to announce its fifth annual ACT@TUTS (Apprentice Conservatory Training at Theatre Under The Stars) program will present the Southwest Regional Premiere of Disney's Geppetto & Son a new stage musical based on Disney's made for television movie "Geppetto."

With a book by Emmy Award- nominated David I. Stern and music and lyrics by multi-award winner Stephen Schwartz, Disney's Geppetto & Son features some of the most unforgettable and treasured music from Disney's"Pinocchio." Playing September 11-13 in Zilkha Hall at the Hobby Center, Disney's Geppetto & Son features TUTS' Associate Artistic Director Roy Hamlin serving as director and TUTS' Shay Rodgers as choreographer.

Combining the much-loved characters of the classic Disney cartoon "Pinocchio" (along with its familiar song hits "When You Wish Upon A Star" and "Got No Strings") with the popular Drew Carey television film "Geppetto," this new take pulls a few fresh strings for the most famous puppet in the world. With careful guidance by the film's composer, Stephen Schwartz, Disney's Geppetto & Son pairs the modern sensibility of Schwartz's Wicked with the traditional storybook tale for a fun and fresh result. Following ACT@TUTS' Southwest Regional Premiere, Music Theatre International will be licensing this newly-developed stage version.

The adventurous and heartwarming musical features unforgettable music and lyrics by Academy, Grammy and Tony Award-winning Schwartz, best known for his songs forthe stage including Wicked, Godspell, and Pippin as well as his lyrics in the popular Disney films "Pocahontas,""The Hunchback of Notre Dame,"and"The Prince of Egypt."

Joining Schwartz on the creative team is Stern, whose Broadway credits include Miss Saigon, Nick & Nora and Big. In addition to his numerous Broadway credits, Stern wrote the television movie "Geppetto" for The Wonderful World of Disney and worked on numerous feature films, including "The Muppets Return," "Wish," and "Gettysburgville." Currently, Stern is writing "The Magic Brush" for Miramax and "Betting the Farm" for Sony Pictures Animation, as well as a television series, "Omega Dome" for Fox Sports.

In September 2007, ACT@TUTS students had the privilege of working with Schwartz when they presented The Stephen Schwartz Project, a musical revue of unforgettable songs, honoring Schwartz as one of Broadway's most successful composers and lyricists of all time. ACT@TUTS students were thrilled when Schwartz attended their September 22 performance and praised the production.

Now in its fifth year, ACT@TUTS provides advanced youth performers the chance to experience a new level of musical training, focusing on all performance aspects essential to developing and mounting a theatrical production. This program is uniquely designed to enhance teens' musical theatre knowledge through direct interaction with professional directors, musical directors, and choreographers. -- www.tuts.com

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