Pushcart Players to Present LET FREEDOM RING

Pushcart Players, New Jersey's acclaimed touring theatre for young and family audiences presents "Let Freedom Ring" throughout the school year in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and California. This robust musical celebrates the nation's birth and development with authentic folk songs and an animated story of significant moments in history.

"We focus on people in early America -- what they thought and how they felt," said Ruth Fost, co-founder of Pushcart Players and playwright. "What was it like to have the courage to leave the familiar and explore the unknown? These are ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary goals."

"Let Freedom Ring" opens with the beginning of time, moving quickly to the arrival of the first Americans from Asia. With the passage of approximately 30,000 years (in under five minutes!), "Freedom..." introduces second Americans in 1620. Among the new settlers are four main characters: Sam, Sarah, Jennie and Ginny. They transcend time, distance and circumstance to lead the audience -- chronologically and geographically -- through two centuries of America's past.

Scenarios focusing on the Boston Tea Party, the American Revolution, westward expansion, the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, the California Gold Rush and Industrialization inspire and inform American audiences of all ages.

"The finale is a spirited musical salute to the unique texture and rich character of our great nation," added Fost. "It's a tribute to democratic ideals." The music combines traditional folk songs with original works. Incidental music and orchestrations are by Larry Hochman, who has collaborated with Pushcart co-founder Carole Wechter, since the company's inception. Hochman won the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for his co-orchestration of "The Book of Mormon." He also orchestrated "Monty Python's Spamalot," "The Addams Family" and "Jane Eyre" among others.

Pushcart Players is in its 40th anniversary season of presenting productions filled with fun, facts, magic and wonder. The company has traveled over 2 million miles to serve more than 8 million children and their families nationally and abroad. All performances come with innovative scenery, complete lighting and state of the art sound systems. They are adaptable to any location.

"Let Freedom Ring" plays in New Jersey (West Milford, Florham Park, Clifton, Newark, Hopatcong), New York (Commack, Great Neck, New Windsor), Connecticut (New Canaan, Orange, Stamford) and California (Lancaster) through February 2014. Performances continue throughout the year, with future appearances to be announced.

For further information on this or any of Pushcart's programs and services, contact Pushcart Players at 973.857.1115 or visit the website at www.pushcartplayers.org.

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