Flat Rock Playhouse to Premiere Two New Works During Sandburg Summer Stage Series

Look out Connemara, there's a new kid in town. Two new kids to be exact! In celebration of the 2016 Centennial of the National Park Service, Flat Rock Playhouse announced today plans to debut two original works to be performed by the Flat Rock Playhouse 2016 Apprentice Company during the Sandburg Summer Stage series: Spink, Skabootch and Swipes in Rootabaga Country, written and directed by Flat Rock Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Lisa K. Bryant and Carl Sandburg's Rootabaga Express, with book, music, lyrics and direction by Flat Rock Playhouse 2016 Apprentice Director Ethan Andersen.

"For over forty years, the Flat Rock Playhouse Apprentice Company has performed for patrons visiting the park beloved productions such as Rootabaga!, The People's Poet, Sandburg's Lincoln and The World of Carl Sandburg," says Bryant. "We thought that this would be a great gift to the park to produce original works this year - in honor of the Centennial as well as our ongoing partnership and collaboration with the Sandburg Home."

About Spink, Skabootch and Swipes in Rootabaga Country:

Follow Spink, Skabootch and Swipes and their friends into the Rootabaga Country - a magical place where whimsy reigns! Discover how the letter X made its way into the alphabet! Hit the rails with the great Golden Spike Limited as she speeds her way from coast to coast, and marvel at how Hot Balloons and his two pigeon daughters crossed the Shampoo River!

"Carl Sandburg told stories that sprang from his imagination," says Bryant. "When his own children - lovingly nicknamed Spink, Skabootch and Swipes - couldn't get enough of his fanciful tales, he decided to write them down for all children and families to revel in. Nearly a century later the reveling continues!"

Spink, Skabootch and Swipes in Rootabaga Country will be performed on Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:15 AM from June 15 through August 12.

About Carl Sandburg's Rootabaga Express:

Join Gimme the Ax as he travels aboard Carl Sandburg's Rootabaga Express, a fantastical train that hoots, clangs, and pfisty-pfoosts all the way to Rootabaga Country in this brand new MUSICARL! Watch three boys shrink to bugs, cheer the Rusty Rats as they save the Creampuffs, and do a boogie with the Moon!

"All of Carl Sandburg's colorful characters are inside this exciting and vibrant new musical, perfect for the youngest and oldest of Sandburg fans," says Andersen. "Come sing and dance with us and experience the joy of imagination and music!"

Carl Sandburg's Rootabaga Express will be performed on Thursdays and Saturdays at 10:15 AM from June 16 through August 13.

All of the performances are free and open to the public and will be performed at the Amphitheater next to the Main House of the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site.

"Don't miss these brand new romps through the magical world of Carl Sanburg and Rootabaga Country," says Bryant. "Children and adults will have a blast! Come PLAY with us!"

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