Heart-Warming BALLOONACY to Sail Onto the A.D. Players Stage

A.D. Players, one of Houston's oldest and largest resident theater companies, is pleased to announce "Balloonacy" by Barry Kornhauser, as its next Children's Theater production. The play, a young audiences' favorite, showcases the joys of imagination and friendship and is told entirely through mime, music and improvisational play.

The show's only human character, the Old Man, lives alone in a small apartment in Paris. He seems to have forgotten the joy of interacting with others. On his birthday, an insistent red balloon floats through his window and ultimately, breaks through his reserve. In contrast to the Old Man, the balloon is boisterous, playful and lighthearted, and it soon befriends him.

Eight balloons are used during the production to represent different moods of the single-red-balloon character. Balloon "wranglers" set the balloons in place, and differing amounts of air/helium cause them to drift, sink or rise.

Children on the autism spectrum typically have a high orientation toward objects, and have historically reacted very positively to performances of "Balloonacy", being able to develop empathy by transferring and redirecting toward human emotional responses and interactions.

"A. D. Players is thrilled to bring 'Balloonacy' to the Jeannette and L.M. George Theater, and we invite children of all ages (even grown ones) to see this show" said Jake Speck, Executive Director, A. D. Players. "'Balloonacy' is a compelling story of friendship, surprise, joy and improvisation that has delighted audiences since its creation. No two performances will be exactly alike."

The show runs October 21 - November 4 with a preview performance on October 17.

"Balloonacy" is directed by Philip Hays who earned a Bachelor of Arts in theatre from the University of Houston School of Theatre & Dance, with an emphasis on acting and directing. Cast members include A.D. Players' resident company member, Craig Griffin, as the Old Man and guest musician, Orlando Arriaga. Danielle Hodgins heads costumes and set design with lighting design by Mark Lewis, both of A. D. Players.

The Jeannette and L.M. George Theater is located at 5420 Westheimer. Individual tickets are $20, $10 for groups of ten or more, and $6 for title-one school groups of ten or more, and can be purchased by calling the George Theater Box Office at 713.526.2721 or online at adplayers.org.

The A. D. Players was founded in 1967 by Jeannette Clift George and is led by Executive Director Jake Speck, former managing director of Nashville's Studio Tenn. A.D. Players has pioneered a unique style of theater committed to producing plays and programs that uphold human value, celebrate creativity, and promote literacy and education. The company is one of Houston's largest resident theater companies, impacting more than nine million people over its lifetime. Annually, the company produces a full season of Mainstage and Children's Theater performances, fields a Regional Touring Unit, and maintains a year-round Theater Arts Academy. A. D. Players became an Actors' Equity Association (AEA) theater in 2017 and is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, visit www.adplayers.org or follow them on Facebook.

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