Funikijam Premieres New Family Musical FUNIKIJAM'S MUSIC GARDEN

The award-winning music education and entertainment company, FunikiJam will premiere its family musical, FunkiJam's Music Garden this Sunday, May 20th Off-Broadway at Actors Temple Theatre. It is part of an ongoing series of original family musicals aimed at introducing children to music and dance from around the world.

When International Artists The Agents of Jam accept a mission to celebrate Spring around the world, they don't need a map ... they just "follow the tunes!" This lively show -- aimed at kids ages 2 to 10 -- invites you to join in on the globe-spanning musical adventure as "new recruits." Guided by Captain Jam (writer and lead Brian Barrentine) and The Agents of Jam, you'll explore European and South American cultures, learning lively songs, rhymes and stories. Kids can get out of their seats, dance and sing along when Music Garden sprouts up at the Actors' Temple Theatre in the heart of the theatre district.

Joining Barrentine are cast members Juan Espinal as Agent Bongo from Dominican Republic; Victoria Raidorosky as Agent Tina from Argentina; Andrea Galata as Agent Sbrexy from Italy; Ashton Parrack as Agent Melody from Oklahoma; Beatriz Calivieri as Agent Coachella from Brazil; Damien Alix-Souhabi as Agent Theo from Montreal Quebec Canada; Andrew Edward Reyes as Agent Keona from the Philippines; and Meghan Doherty as Agent Ruby from Maine.

FunikiJam was founded by Brian Barrentine in 1999 to meet a growing demand for quality education and entertainment programs for young children and families. Starting with a weekly audience of just six families, the program quickly became so popular that Barrentine began training teachers, opening new locations, recording the music, and touring live shows to schools, music festivals and lofty venues like the Historic Ryman Auditorium and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Now based in NYC, FunikiJam has evolved into a landmark early childhood education and entertainment organization with an annual reach of over 70,000 patrons. Uniquely blending Barrentine's original rhymes, chants, songs and stories with indigenous music from around the world, FunikiJam's mission is to empower global citizens to reach their highest potential through its trademark "music exploration for the next generation" classes, live shows, musical recordings, film production, and teacher training.

Lifelong artist and educator, Brian Barrentine is the creator, voice and face of FunikiJam
World Music - winner of the 2016 Parent's Choice Award for Best Music. Barrentine has
been cast in numerous musicals on Broadway and Off; played Elvis in "Elvis the Musical"
European Tour; written the Gymboree Music Program; served as Early Childhood Director at Brooklyn Conservatory; and acted in national commercials and TV shows like The Good Wife, Madam Secretary, and Law & Order SVU.

FunikiJam's Music Garden performs on three upcoming Sundays: May 20 at 10:30 am, June 3 at 11:00 am, and June 17 at 11:00 am at Actors Temple Theatre, 339 W. 47th St., between 8th and 9th Avenues. Tickets at $30 are available through www.funikijam.com. Running time is 60 minutes and the show is appropriate for children ages 2 to 10. For more information, visit www.funikijam.com.

Photo credit: Brett Deutch