Stages Theatre Partners with MAGIC TREE HOUSE Author to Offer Free Books to Kids

In a remarkable gift of generosity, Magic Tree House author, Mary Pope Osborne partnered with Stages Theatre Company and Random House Children's Books to make a donation of over 1,500 books! Each and every student from partner schools across the metro area that attended yesterday's 12:30 pm performance of Magic Tree House: A Night in New Orleans, received their very own Magic Tree House book.

Watch as we surprise the students and thank the Mary Pope Osbourne Foundation for their AMAZING gift and support!

With the musical director J.D. Steele, and choreographer Michael Matthew Ferrell, the stage is set on this magical musical. All the look and feel of New Orleans, 1915, where the streets are alive with the sounds of the Jazz age, and introduce us to a young Louis Armstrong, where Jack and Annie set Louis Armstrong on the path to becoming the "King of Jazz." Based on the ever popularMagic Tree House book series, "A Good Night for Ghosts," by Mary Pope Osborne.

The complete local cast is as follows: Akinbemi Hernandez Abreu (Minneapolis,) Halle Audette (Brooklyn Park,) Celia Birgy (Hopkins,) Elon Byers (Minneapolis,) Izzy Cruz (Edina,) Rayo Daniel (Minneapolis,) Javari Horne (Eden Prairie,) Ryder T. James (Woodbury,) Kennedy Lucas (Minnetonka,) William Maus (Victoria,) Ricky Morisseau (St. Paul,) Greta Nackerud (St. Louis Park,) Abby Schroeder (Eden Prairie,) and Will Sprangrud (Hopkins.)

The creative team for Magic Tree House includes: Artistic Director Sandy Boren-Barrett; Director Jamil Jude; Music Director J.D. Steele; Choreographer Michael Matthew Ferrell; Costume & Make-Up Designer Josette Elstad; Lighting Designer Karin Olson; Sound Designer Alan Pagel; Props Designer Merritt Rodriguez; Set Designer Joe Stanley; Technical Director Gretchen Katt; Production Manager Melanie Salmon-Peterson; and Stage Manager Emilia Allen.

Magic Tree House: A Night in New Orleans is now playing and runs through Thursday, October 20, and is for all ages. Visit www.stagestheatre.org for performance dates and times, or call the Box Office at (952) 979-1111, option 4, Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. Tickets are $16 for adults; $14 for seniors, ages 60+; $12 for children, ages 5 to 17.

Stages Theatre Company was founded in 1984 and since then has grown to become one of the largest professional theatres for young audiences in the country. We engage young artists with themes relevant to their lives and involve them in creating magical works featuring young people in meaningful roles. Through theatrical productions, workshops, conservatory classes and other outreach programs, Stages Theatre Company annually serves more than 145,000 young people and their families.