Westport Country Playhouse Presents HOW I BECAME A PIRATE, 3/3

After two sold-out Family Festivities presentations so far this year, Westport Country Playhouse will present the musical adventure "How I Became a Pirate," as part of its Family Festivities Series, on Sunday, March 3, 1 and 4 p.m. Based on the best-selling book by Melinda Long and produced by the Omaha Theater Company, the presentation is recommended for ages 6 - 10.

"How I Became a Pirate" is about young Jeremy Jacob, who, while digging in the sand, is recruited by Captain Braid Beard and his mates to join the pirate crew on a quest to bury their treasure. The rollicking musical adventure is about finding one's own heart - a path that can't be found on any treasure map.

The Playhouse's Family Festivities Series will continue with "The Little Engine That Could Earns Her Whistle," on Sunday, April 7, 1 and 4 p.m. The presentation recalls the famous line, "I think I can, I think I can." Little Blue Engine dreams of someday leaving the train yard to pull the big cars on the main line track. But can she convince Big Silver that she is worthy of being a main line engine? A dynamic, song-filled adventure, this new musical portrays Watty Piper's timeless tale about hard work, self-confidence, friendship, and believing that anything is possible. Produced by ArtsPower, the classic story is recommended for ages 4 and up.

One hour before each performance, there will be pre-show children's activities available.

Family Festivities is supported in part by a contribution from the First Niagara Bank Foundation. Family Festivities Partners are Meredith and David Bukzin.

In conjunction with the Family Festivities Series, The Playhouse is hosting a book collection for Read to Grow, Inc., a statewide nonprofit organization that helps parents take an active role in their children's literacy development by providing free children's books to families with limited access and to community resources that serve them. At each Family Festivities performance, bins will be located in The Playhouse lobby for donations of gently used and new children's books which will be given to families and programs in the greater Fairfield County area through Read to Grow.

Everyone in the audience requires a ticket. For more information or tickets, call the box office at (203) 227-4177, or toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Tickets are available online 24/7 at www.westportplayhouse.org. Stay connected to The Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse), view Playhouse videos on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse) or get an insider's peek on The Playhouse Blog (www.theplayhouseblog.org).