Theatreworks/NYC Presents Walk Two Moons, July 13

Theatreworks/NYC, the new Manhattan-based arm of Theatreworks/USA, will inaugurate its new home with the world premiere production of Walk Two Moons on Wednesday, July 13th at the Lucille Lortel Theatre; the play will begin previews on July 7th and run until August 14th. Theatreworks/NYC will take up residence at the Lortel (121 Christopher Street) for a four-play season.

Based on Sharon Creech's Newbery Medal Award-winning book of the same name, Walk Two Moons is by Julia Jordan and directed by Melissa Kievman, with incidental music by Lucas Papaelias. The play "follows a girl on road trip across the country with her eccentric grandparents. Her tales of life back home, by turns hilarious and touching, create a journey within a journey as she and her know-it-all best friend discover that things aren't always what they seem. This powerful, bittersweet story of family love and courage is based on Sharon Creech's Newbery Medal-winner can now connect with a new generation," states a release. The show is recommended for the 10 and older crowd, and features scenery by Louisa Thompson, costumes by Anne Kennedy and lighting by Paul Hackenmueller. The cast includes Heather Dilly, Charles Hyman, Sarah Lord, Susan O'Connor, Lucas Papaelias, and Peggy Scott.

Theatreworks/USA, America's foremost not-for-profit professional theatre for family audiences, announced in April the establishment of Theatreworks/NYC: giving the company a theatrical home in New York City for the first time in its 45-year history.  Theatreworks/NYC will present four major shows in the 2005-2006 season at the Lortel, plus a special series for the youngest audiences-of music, puppets, magic, and more. It will continue to bring its award-winning shows to audiences across America, reaching four million people a year, many of whom have no other access to live, professional theatre. Since its inception in 1961, Theatreworks has entertained 80 million children and families. 

The remainder of Theatreworks/NYC's season will consist of productions of Junie B. Jones, a new musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol,Sarah, Plain and Tall. Junie B. Jones features book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler and lyrics by Zina Goldrich, and is and "a musical based on the best-selling Junie B. Jones series of children's books by Barbara Park, following the irrepressible Junie B. as she enters the scary world of first grade." It begins previews November 4th, opens on November 9th and runs to December 3rd. A Christmas Carol has a book by David Armstrong, lyrics by Mark Waldrop, and music by Dick Gallagher, and it begins previews on December 9th, opens December 14th and runs until December 31st. Sarah, Plain and Tall's book is by Julia Jordon with lyrics by Nell Benjamin and music by Laurence O'Keefe; it starts previews on March 17th, 2006, opens March 22nd and runs to April 30th. "A musical based on Patricia MacLachlan's novel which tells the story of a widower and his family living on the Kansas prairie at the turn of the last century and the stranger who changes their lives."

Theatreworks' mission is to create imaginative and sophisticated shows that are educational, entertaining, and thought-provoking.  Theatreworks' honors include the prestigious Drama Desk Award for "providing quality entertainment to children" and a Lucille Lortel Award for "Outstanding Special Achievement," the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Award for "artistic vision and commitment to the support and development of theatre artists." Other awards include the William M. Dawson Award for "Programmatic Excellence" given by the Association of Performing Arts Presenters and the Medal of Honor from the Actors' Fund of America.  This year, Theatreworks was nominated both for Lortel Awards (Best Musical, Best Choreography for Junie B. Jones); and another Drama Desk Award (Best Book, Cam Jansen).

For ticket information, call 212-627-7373.