McCarter Theatre Presents John Lithgow In STORIES BY HEART 4/17

McCarter Theatre will host two homecoming celebrations when it welcomes two of Princeton's brightest stars: acclaimed actor John Lithgow in his one-man show Stories by Heart on Wednesday, April 7 and children's music superstar Laurie Berkner for two performances on Saturday, April 17.

John Lithgow

Wednesday, April 7 - 7:30 pm

Multiple award-winning star of stage and screen John Lithgow, currently appearing off-Broadway in Mr. & Mrs. Fitch, proves that you can indeed come home again when he returns to McCarter Theatre for one night only to open the National Tour of his one-man show, Stories by Heart on Wednesday, April 7 at 7:30pm.

Directed by Jack O'Brien, Stories by Heart is a touching and humorous reflection on the art and essence of storytelling, the unacknowledged tie that binds humanity. Invoking memories of his grandfather and father before him, Lithgow traces his own history as actor and storyteller, a history spanning three generations (his father Arthur was McCarter' Executive Director from 1963 to 1971). Interspersed with stories from his own life are two stories told to him and his siblings when they were children: PG Wodehouse's Uncle Fred Flits By, and Ring Lardner's Haircut.

John Lithgow's career includes multiple nominations and two Tony Awards for The Changing Room and The Sweet Smell of Success; three Emmys for his best-known role as Dick Solomon in the hit TV series 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996-2001); and Oscar nominations for The World According to Garp and Terms of Endearment. Most recently, he received a Golden Globe Award for his role as the Trinity Killer in the acclaimed TV series Dexter, and he is also the author of eight New York Times best-selling children's picture books as well as three albums of children's music.

After graduating from Princeton High School and Harvard (class of 1967), Lithgow returned to McCarter to direct Shakespeare's As You Like It as part of the 1968-69 season, and a year later he made his professional acting debut as Henry Higgins in the 1969-70 McCarter production of Pygmalion, directed by his father.

Tickets start at $30 ($7 student standing room tickets). To charge by phone, call (609) 258-2787; visit on line at www.mccarter.org; or in person at the McCarter Ticket Office 91 University Place, Princeton.

LAURIE BERKNER BAND

Saturday, April 17 - 11am & 3pm

Making her first McCarter appearance on Saturday, April 17 for two performances at 11am and 3pm will be Princeton native (and Princeton High School alum) Laurie Berkner, the "Pied Piper of Pre-Schoolers." A longtime fixture of television's NOGGIN (now Nick, Jr.), her original songs, CDs, DVDs, music videos, and books have skyrocketed Berkner to her current position as "the queen of children's music" (People Magazine). What sets her apart? Berkner's music speaks to kids without talking down to them, charming youngsters without talking down to them, charming youngsters without boring grown-ups.

Tickets are going fast for the Laurie Berkner Band's first ever McCarter concerts where she will be joined by her longtime collaborators Adam Bernstein, Susie Lampert, and Bob Golden - "the band" -- in new and old hits, including songs from her latest CD Rocketship Run.

Billed as a Birthday Party Concert," kids are invited to wear a favorite party hat and bring their own birthday cake artwork (visit www.laurieberkner.com to download a picture to color). Families are encouraged to bring new children's books to the venue, where they will be collected and donated to Kids Care Clubs.

Tickets start at $25. To charge by phone, call (609) 258-2787; visit online at www.mccarter.org; or in person at 91 University Place, Princeton.

Photo credit: Brian Estrada