Making Books Sing Presents SKY BOYS

Making Books Sing (MBS), the New York-based non-profit dedicated to advancing children's literacy and social development through professional theatre productions and arts-in-education programs, marks its 15th season with the world premiere of the family musical SKY BOYS: The Building of the Empire State Building. For the first time, Making Books Sing will hold performances in all five boroughs of New York City in February and March 2011 (details below); the official press opening of SKY BOYS will be on February 10th, 2011 at the Goldstein Theater at Kingsborough Community College (2001 Oriental Blvd) in Brooklyn.

Additionally, there will be designated press dates and a press opening for the Manhattan leg of the SKY BOYS tour, with previews beginning February 15 prior to officially opening on February 18 at Abrons Art Center at Henry Street Settlement (466 Grand Street) in Manhattan. The Manhattan leg of the SKY BOYS tour runs through March 6, prior to playing in Queens at the Jamaica PAC, in The Bronx aT Lovinger Theatre @ Lehman College, and in Staten Island at Snug Harbor Cultural Center.

Based on Deborah Hopkinson's award-winning children's book of the same name, illustrated by James E. Ransome, SKY BOYS has book and lyrics by Barbara Zinn Krieger and music by Charles Greenberg. Zinn Krieger and Greenberg previously collaborated on the Making Books Sing musicals LITTLE KIT, THE BUTTERFLY, and Jose Limon: THE MAKING OF AN ARTIST. SKY BOYS' score, under the musical direction of Tim Rosser, will be played by a three-piece band.

SKY BOYS transports theatergoers to 1930 New York City at the height of the Great Depression, where the construction of a new, modern building - the Empire State Building - becomes a symbol of hope for many New Yorkers, and captures 13-year-old Mickey's imagination. When his father must leave the city to look for work, Mickey hides in the building and is discovered by one of the water boys, really a Native American girl in disguise. A team of Mohawk ironworkers befriend Mickey and despite his fear of heights he accepts a job with the building's photographer, Lewis Hine. Mickey's new friends teach him about their rich culture and how to overcome his fears.

"The Empire State Building was a symbol of hope when it was built, and remains an enduring beacon of possibility, which makes this story a perfect fit for MBS's mission of promoting children's literacy and social development," said Making Books Sing Artistic Director Barbara Zinn Krieger, "plus, it's a warm, engaging story that both parents and children will enjoy."

Directed by Brad Malow, who also directed MBS's critically acclaimed Jose Limon, and choreographed by Lorin Latarro (associate choreographer of AMERICAN IDIOT), the multicultural cast of SKY BOYS features Jessica Angleskhan, Zachary Clause, Jon Krupp, Michael Mann and Aaron Riesebeck. The design team is Gino Ng (Set Design), Giovanna Sgarlata (Sound Design), Doug Cox (Lighting Design), and Leslie Bernstein (Costume Design).

Making Books Sing began in 1996 as a program of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Vineyard Theatre, which Zinn Krieger founded in 1981 and led until 2002. Now nearing ten years as an independent organization, Making Books Sing is the only theatre company of its kind dedicated to addressing literacy through the performing arts by creating professional theatre works based on contemporary children's books from diverse cultures. Making Books Sing has reached nearly 80,000 school-aged children and their families with its musical productions based on books such as: BEAUTIFUL WARRIOR, BIRD WOMAN: THE STORY OF SACAJAWEA, A BAND OF ANGELS, THE ORPHAN SINGER, THE BUTTERFLY, A SHELTER IN OUR CAR, Jose Limon: THE MAKING OF AN ARTIST, and last year's TEA WITH CHACHAJI. It enjoys great success in the New York City schools, where MBS sends professional theatre artists each year to teach students and their teachers how to create their own plays and musicals based on books.

Performances of SKY BOYS: The Building of the Empire State Building are as follows:

BROOKLYN - February 7 - February 10 at 10:30am
Kingsborough PAC at Kingsborough Community College - 2001 Oriental Blvd. Brooklyn NY
Public Transportation: (Bus) Take the B1 or B49 bus to the last stop. (Subway) Take the B or Q trains to Brighton Beach or the F train to Avenue X and transfer to the B1 bus.

MANHATTAN - February 16 - March 6
Fridays at 7:00pm; Saturdays at 12noon & 3:00pm; Sundays at 12noon & 3:00pm
Tuesday, February 15 through Thursday, February 17 at 10:30am
Tuesday, February 22 through Thursday, February 24 at 12noon
Tuesday, March 1 through Thursday, March 3 at 10:30am
Abrons Art Center at Henry St. Settlement - 466 Grand St. New York, NY
Public Transportation: (Bus) M15 to Grand Street, M 22 to Montgomery Street, M9 to Grand Street, M14A to Grand Street, or B 39 to Essex Street. (Subway) F train to Delancey Street, J or M train to Essex Street, or D or B train to Grand Street.
By Cab or Car: Take FDR Drive southbound and exit at Grand Street. Northbound FDR does not have an exit for Grand or South streets. Use the Houston Street exit.

Queens - March 10 & 11 at 10am and 12noon
Jamaica PAC, 153-10 Jamaica Ave. Jamaica, NY
For detailed transportation instructions visit:
http://www.jamaica-performingartscenter.org/about/directions.html

THE BRONX - March 14 - March 17 at 10:30am
Lovinger Theatre @ Lehman College - 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West - Bronx, NY
For detailed transportation instructions visit: http://www.lehmanstages.org/directions.htm

STATEN ISLAND - March 20 at 2:00pm & March 21 at 10am & 12noon
Snug Harbor Cultural Center, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY
For detailed transportation instructions visit: http://www.snug-harbor.org/visit.html

Tickets for SKY BOYS: The Building of the Empire State Building are $30 for adults, $20 for children.

Tickets to noon, evening and weekend performances in Manhattan at Abrons Art Center can be purchased online at www.showtix4u.com.

Tickets to all other performances can be purchased by calling Making Books Sing at 212-573-8791 ext. 238.

For more information on Making Books Sing, please visit www.MakingBooksSing.org.

 

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