Realio Trulio Little Pet Dragon Lands In NYC's Lower East Side

Nuyorican Poets Cafe presents family musical based on books by poet Ogden Nash

Custard the Dragon is afraid of everything (and we mean EVERYTHING), but can he find courage when it really matters?

Nuyorican Poets Cafe, the Lower East Side's staple multi-arts institution, is delighted to share its production of THE TALES OF CUSTARD THE DRAGON with family audiences this April. This witty musical, adapted from poet Ogden Nash's popular children's books, will be presented Saturdays, April 8, 15, 22, and 29 at 11am and 1pm. Directed by themed entertainment creative Brandon Santoro, the show follows the adventures of scaredy cat Custard and his brave (-ish) friends as they search for the true origin of courage.

Santoro notes, "This show is pure, unadulterated bliss. It's got some of the most charming and intelligent music I've ever worked with. There's a lyric toward the end of the piece that I absolutely love. It implies that even though we all want to fly and find success, sometimes it can hurt just to get off the ground. Bravery comes in many forms, and finding the courage to face the world as you truly are is perhaps the most admirable of them all."

THE TALES OF CUSTARD THE DRAGON stars Jarrad Biron Green* (Tony in WEST SIDE STORY Nat'l Tour), Molly Evans* (Tracy Turnblad in Royal Caribbean's HAIRSPRAY), Spencer Glass* (ELF Nat'l Tour), Clare Rea (Mile Square's CHARLIE BROWN), and Gabriella Saramago (Slow Burn's HUNCHBACK).

The show features a book by Mary Hall Surface (Helen Hayes award recipient), music by Brad Ross (Richard Rodgers award recipient), and lyrics by Danny Whitman (Director of Development at Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS). It is produced by Dan Gallant (Executive Director at Nuyorican Poets Cafe).

*Appearing courtesy of Actors Equity Association. Equity Approved Showcase.

This program is made possible by support from the New York State Council on the Arts. It was originally commissioned for The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

THE TALES OF CUSTARD THE DRAGON runs Saturdays, April 8 - April 29 at 11am and 1pm. Nuyorican Poets Cafe is located at 236 E 3rd St (between Ave. B and C), New York, NY. Running time is 55 minutes. Best enjoyed by ages 4 and up. Tickets are $10-$15, available at www.nuyorican.org/calendar/.