Orlando Shakespeare Theater to Stage World Premiere of MAGIC TREE HOUSE: A GHOST TALE FOR MR. DICKENS

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF presents the World Premiere of Magic Tree House: A Ghost Tale for Mr. Dickens, co-written by Jenny Laird and Will Osborne with lyrics by Will Osborne and music and lyrics by Randy Courts. Based on the book A Ghost Tale for Christmas Time by New York Times bestselling author Mary Pope Osborne, the Children's Series production runs from October 22 - November 20, 2015 in the Margeson Theater. Tickets ($9 - $15) can be purchased by calling (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, online at www.orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 E. Rollins St.).

Mary Pope Osborne's award-winning fantasy adventure series comes to life on stage in this brand new musical adaptation of book #44. Magic Tree House characters Jack and Annie are sent to Victorian England, where Charles Dickens is suffering from a severe case of writer's block. Posing as chimney sweeps, the time traveling siblings must conjure up the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future to inspire Mr. Dickens to write A Christmas Carol.

"We broke Box Office attendance records with 2013's production of A Night In New Orleans: A Magic Tree House Adventure," said Director of Education Anne Hering. "We're excited to invite Mary Pope Osborne fans back to the theater for another magical adventure!"

Magic Tree House: A Ghost Tale For Mr. Dickens, Jr. made its debut in a workshop production at Moorestown Theater Company in December 2014. Nearly 50 cast members, ages 6 to 17, were involved in the production, which had two performances in New Jersey's Upper Elementary School.

"We've teamed up with the Magic Tree House team to adapt the junior script into one that can be played by a small cast of professional actors," said Hering. "Our audiences will be the first to see this version!"

Magic Tree House: A Ghost Tale for Mr. Dickens features child actors Aiden Corrie and Jackson Holloway in the shared role of Tiny Tim/Young Dickens. Additional casting to be announced at a later date. The Orlando Shakes artistic team includes Director/Choreographer Rob Winn Anderson, Musical Director Chris Leavy, Set Designer Kim Gromoll, Lighting Designer Colleen Doherty, Costume Designer Mel Barger, and Sound Designer Britt Sandusky.

Special Halloween Performance - Saturday, October 31 at 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Orlando Shakes will present special Halloween performances of Magic Tree House: A Ghost Tale for Mr. Dickens on Saturday, October 31 at 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. All Halloween-day ticket holders are invited to arrive one hour prior to their selected performance for a Free Halloween Party. Festivities include Halloween-themed arts and crafts, as well as a costume contest and candy giveaway.

Magic Tree House: A Ghost Tale for Mr. Dickens is presented by Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. This project is also funded in part by Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater is supported by United Arts of Central Florida, host of www.power2give.org/centralflorida, and the collaborative Campaign for the Arts. This project is sponsored in part by the Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council of Arts and Culture, and the State of Florida.

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