MAGIC TREE HOUSE Author Mary Pope Osborne to Speak at Orlando Shakespeare Theater, 10/18

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF announces that New York Times number one bestselling author Mary Pope Osborne will make a special appearance at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center on Friday, October 18, 2013. Osborne's visit celebrates the Rolling World Premiere of A Night in New Orleans: A Magic Tree House Adventure, a jazz musical based on her Magic Tree House Book #42: A Good Night for Ghosts. Osborne will speak to students and teachers prior to the 10:15 a.m. and 12 p.m. school performances at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 East Rollins Street).

In addition to her visit, Osborne will donate a copy of her Magic Tree House Book #42: A Good Night for Ghosts to all Title I fourth graders who attend A Night in New Orleans with their schools. Mary Pope Osborne previously donated over 28,000 Magic Tree House books to every Orange County Title I third grader and classroom teachers through her Gift of Books Program this past May.

Coinciding with the opening of A Night in New Orleans, JetBlue Airways has also generously donated 20,000 Magic Tree House books and backpacks to Title 1 Elementary students in Orange County Public Schools. This donation is part of JetBlue's third-annual Soar with Reading program, an award-winning summer literacy initiative that places age-appropriate books in the hands of children in underserved areas (www.jetblue.com/SoarWithReading). This year the airline welcomed new program partners Random House Children's Books and Magic Tree House author Mary Pope Osborne. As part of the program, JetBlue will also donate Magic Tree House books to New York, Boston, Ft. Lauderdale,Los Angeles, and San Juan, PR.

Co-written by Will Osborne and Murray Horwitz with music composed by legendary Jazz composer Allen Toussaint, A Night in New Orleans runs from October 17 - November 23, 2013 in the Margeson Theater. Tickets to performances on October 18 are no longer available. Tickets to all other performances ($9 and $12) may be purchased by calling the Box Office at (407) 447-1700, online at www.orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center at 812 East Rollins Street in Orlando's Loch Haven Cultural Park.

A Night in New Orleans: A Magic Tree House Adventure is sponsored by Massey Services, The City of Orlando, and Mary Palmer & Associates. Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF is supported by United Arts of Central Florida with funds from the United Arts collaborative campaign and by State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Arts Council.