New Victory's TINGA TINGA TALES: THE MUSICAL Begins October 13, 2018

"Jambo, human beings!" Welcome to Tinga Tinga Tales - The Musical, where Lion, Monkey, Elephant and their larger-than-life animal friends leap onto the stage from the popular international cartoon series. Brimming with African folklore, storytelling, and live music, Tinga Tinga Tales - The Musical is directed by Emmy Award-nominated producer and writer Claudia Lloyd, Kenyan celebrity pop singer/songwriter Eric Wainaina (Mo Faya, New York Theatre Festival), who also plays the role of Monkey, and producer Sheba Hirst. With a live, onstage band, this vibrant musical explores mysteries from the animal kingdom including: Why do giraffes have long necks? And why do chameleons change color? Answers will be revealed from October 13 - 20, 2018!

The cartoon series Tinga Tinga Tales was created by Lloyd in collaboration with Nairobi-based Homeboyz, aired on BBC and Disney US and was later translated into a series of popular children's books by the same name. Lloyd is also lauded for her work on the groundbreaking children's series Charlie and Lola for which she received three British Animation Awards and four BAFTA Awards.

Tinga Rain Productions is a new stage Production Company established by Hirst, Lloyd and Wainaina to produce world class theater, media and music events in Kenya and beyond. They collaborate with the best Kenyan musical and acting talent, and produce rewarding professional experiences for a diverse and burgeoning theater audience. In an increasingly fractured world, Tinga Rain's ambitions are to celebrate coming together and promoting a world that benefits from sharing stories, music, art and happiness.

Composer Eric Wainaina himself will play Monkey and Eddy Kimani plays the majestic Lion. Other animals include Elsaphan Njora as Tortoise, Atemi Oyungu as Hippo, Alvan Gatitu as Chameleon, Nyokabi Macharia as Giraffe, Karimi Rimbui Wamai as Butterfly and Bird, Kendi Nkonge as Queen Bee and Raaay! as Elephant. Choreographed by Edu Ooro. Costumes were designed by Ann McCreath of KikoRomeo. Band members include Marvin Maveke (Drums), Tetu Shani (Vocals and Percussion), Benjamin Kabaseke (Lead Guitar), Victor Kimetto (Keyboard/Band Leader), Ted Mwangi (Bass Guitar) and Chris Adwar (2nd Keys/Acoustic Guitar/Percussion/Vocals).

Learn more about Tinga Tinga Tales at NewVictory.org.

For more information and tickets, visit www.NewVictory.org/familybenefit or call 646-223-3082

Tinga Tinga Tales has a running time of 70 minutes with no intermission, and is recommended for ages 4 - 7.

Ticket Information

Full-price tickets for Tinga Tinga Tales are $25. Tickets are available online (http://www.newvictory.org/boxoffice) and by phone (646.223.3010).