MOOSELTOE to Open Gateway's Holiday Season, 11/23-30

The Gateway's 2013 Holiday Season begins with the colorful, magical and whimsical children's musical, "Moosletoe," playing at Bellport's Gateway Playhouse, Nov. 23-30.

Featuring the voices of Al Roker, John Cullum, Christopher Plummer, Tony winner Faith Prince, Carole Shelly, and Karen Mason, Judy Kaye, and Louise Pitre - the leading ladies from Broadway's "Mamma Mia" - audiences will follow Mooseltoe Moose as he pursues his seemingly impossible dream of flying Santa's sleigh, while learning many valuable lessons along the way.

With book and lyrics by Jim Semmelman and music by George Kramer, this sparking production has 16 unforgettable costumed characters which include three snobby penguins, an Edward G. Robinson-esque snowman, a fat walrus named Willy, two elves and Santa Claus himself. Eight original, delightful and melodic songs accompany this hour long odyssey of self-discovery.

A delightful set designed by leading New York designer, Kelly Tighe, will evoke the enchanting and magical world that Mooseltoe and his friends inhabit. Costume designer Randy Carafagno, who built and maintained much of the wardrobe for the Broadway hit, "The Lion King," has designed 16 amazing and intricate costumes for "Moosletoe."

A student activities packet that addresses New York State Common Core educational standards is available, made possible with funding by the South Country Education Foundation. Group and individual tickets are available.

"Mooseltoe" is produced by Mainstage: Producers and Presenters of the Performing Arts.

Gateway's 2013 season is partially funded by the County of Suffolk, and is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Gateway's 2013 Holiday Season continues with "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" (Dec. 13-29) and "Live and Let Die: A Symphonic Tribute to Paul McCartney" (Dec. 31-Jan. 1). Both shows are at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts.

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