STUART LITTLE Opens March 16 At Sierra Madre Playhouse

Each year, Sierra Madre Playhouse presents a show especially for young audiences. In 2019, the show is Stuart Little, innovatively staged with puppets, projections and original music. Performances for school field trips start on March 11 with over 3000 tickets sold, but the Playhouse will present a limited number of performances to the general public as well, with an official public opening on March 16. The play is ideal for audience members aged 4 to 10, but their entire families can enjoy it as well.

Stuart Little is a mouse born into a human family in New York City. Though his stature is appropriately small for a mouse, he displays a wit and intelligence far beyond his years. He engages in a variety of adventures: Winning a sailboat race in Central Park; Befriending a beautiful bird and protecting her from a malicious cat; Attempting to court a diminutive human female from a wealthy society family; Being rescued from a garbage scow; Learning to drive a car; Working as a substitute teacher; Searching for a missing friend; Making his way (rather successfully) in the world.

Stuart Little was the creation of E.B. White (1899-1985), who achieved fame several ways: for over half a century, he regularly contributed pieces to the New Yorker magazine. He co-wrote The Elements of Style, to this day the most important textbook consulted by writers working in the American English language. At the urging of his wife, New Yorker literary editor Katherine Angell, he became a writer of children's books, including Stuart Little; Charlotte's Web; The Trumpet of the Swan. He received a Pulitzer Prize Citation in 1978 for his body of work.

The stage adaptation of Stuart Little is by Joseph Robinette, who also adapted White's two other novels to the stage, as well as other classic works for young audiences.

Christian Lebano directs. The Artistic Director of Sierra Madre Playhouse, his many directing credits include Woman in Mind (L.A. Times Critic's Choice), Deathtrap (Ovation Award winner), The Glass Menagerie (Ovation Award nomination), A Christmas Story, 4000 Miles, and more. Also an actor, his stage appearances include Bee-luther-hatchee, Our Town, To Kill a Mockingbird, God's Man in Texas and more.

Stuart Little is double-cast. The company includes, in alphabetical order: Joseph Bricker, Daniel Cron, Cheyann Dillon, Rachel McLaughlan, Austin McMains, Tim Oakes, Robert O'Hare, Sarah Patterson, Kurt Peña, Bree Wernicke, Frankie Zabilka and Laura Zenoni.

Set design: Amanda Knehans. Costume design: Michael Mullens. Resident lighting designer: Derek Jones. Sound design: Christopher Moscatiello. Composer: Sean Paxton. Projection design: Nick Santiago. Puppet master: Anne Pierce. Properties: John McElveny. Curator of lobby displays: Diane Siegel.

Sponsors: Arts For LA; Los Angeles County Arts Commission; Pasadena Tournament of Roses Foundation; The Spero Foundation; Sierra Madre Community Foundation.

Packed with laughter and heart, Stuart Little is big family entertainment.

www.sierramadreplayhouse.org