Pushcart Players, the Verona, New Jersey based professional theatre company for young audiences, has announced an exciting new season of theatre productions and arts in education programs for schools, performing arts
centers and community centers throughout New Jersey and the tri-state area, in which New Jersey will be highlighted.
In honor of New Jersey's 350th Anniversary in 2014, Pushcart has written an all new spirited musical entitled "Celebrating New Jersey!" New this season, it is scheduled to open in January 2014 and will be available throughout the year, giving Pushcart the chance to celebrate its own 40th Anniversary Season while also honoring New Jersey 350!
This delightful theatre piece uses the art of story telling to reach across more than three centuries, linking young viewers to their past and breathing life into a most creative
period in our history. Beyond serving as a salute to New Jersey, "Celebrating New Jersey" provides a fine source of understanding and inspiration for young people in viewing their role in both New Jersey's and America's future.
"It is the perfect assembly program to provide arts enrichment, history enhancement and a joyful overview of NJ's earliest beginnings," says Pushcart Artistic Director, Ruth Fost (North Caldwell, NJ resident). "There is a full segment on Thomas Alva Edison, along with story theatre at its best -- highlighting the arrival of the first settlers, the fight for freedom in the American Revolution, the struggle to end slavery in the Civil War and glimpses of the many people and events that helped make NJ the Great Garden State! "Celebrating New Jersey" is sure to delight young audiences with its captivating story, music and choreography; its innovative sets, costumes and props."
In addition to "Celebrating New Jersey" many other Pushcart productions will be available during various times during the 2013-2014 school year. These include "Peter and The Wolf" and "Red Riding Hood and Other Stories" in October and November; "A Season of Miracles"- a classic multi-cultural holiday show, available in November and December; "Happily Ever After...A Cinderella Tale" and "Let Freedom Ring" from January through April; "Cuentos del Arbol"- a bilingual musical" and "Stone Soup & Other Stories" from March thru June. "The Last...Butterfly"- a sensitive introduction to Holocaust Education will have limited availability throughout the year. Selections may be viewed by clicking on Theatre Programs or by downloading the current brochure on the Pushcart website at
www.pushcartplayers.org.
Pushcart's wide range of Arts In Education programs such as Creative Drama Workshops, Kids Do Broadway After School Programs and many others are also available and may be tailored to suit the needs of any school or organization upon request.
Pushcart Players is an ensemble of professional (Actors' Equity Association) actors dedicated to enriching, enlightening and inspiring young people through the introduction and presentation of quality theatre and arts in education programming. The company is in its 40th Anniversary Season and has traveled over 2 million miles to serve more than 8 million children and their families. Based in Verona, NJ, this dynamic and highly acclaimed touring theatre brings the power of the arts to life in schools, theatres and community centers throughout the state of NJ, the nation and abroad.
Pushcart is well known for presenting productions filled with fun, facts, magic and wonder; and for bringing "a little bit of Broadway" to schools and local theaters. Pushcart productions provide young audiences with an excellent introduction to theatre and the arts along with lessons rich in character development and human values. All presentations are accompanied by a study guide for teachers and a question/answer session with the cast is available immediately following a performance.
Representatives from schools and other sponsors of theatre and arts in education programming interested in previewing or booking a performance or arts workshop should call "Pushcart" at (973) 857-1115 or email Pushcart at information@pushcartplayers.org. For more information on New Jersey 350, visit
www.officialnj350.com.
Pictured: Terrence P. Burnett. Photo by
Melody Moore Photography.
