KNUFFLE BUNNY Heads to Bahrain, 3/22 & 23

The Kennedy Center today announced Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical will make its international premiere at Arad Fort in Arad, Bahrain as part of Spring of Culture, the nation's largest cultural event, March 22–23, 2012. Additionally, Kennedy Center Tour General Manager Deirdre Lavrakas will lead three educational theater workshops from March 19 to 21 for teachers and grade school students in Bahrain. The production marks the first-ever international appearance for the Kennedy Center's Theater for Young Audiences (KCTYA) on Tour series.

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical made its world premiere in May 2010 and has since entertained national audiences in 80 cities and 36 states as part of the KCTYA on Tour series. With music by Grammy Award^® winning composer Michael Silversher, six-time Emmy Award winning author/illustrator Mo Willems adapts his Caldecott Honor winning children's book Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale into a family musical.  Directed by Rosemary Newcott with choreography by Paige Hernandez, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical is recommended for audiences ages 4 and up.

Tour General Manager Deirdre Lavrakas will lead three educational theater workshops from March 19–21 in Bahrain. On March 19, the workshop will focus on educating grade school teachers how to instruct the art of drama in the classroom. On March 20, the workshop will focus on educating high school teachers how to effectively direct a play both in the classroom and after school. On March 21, the workshop will focus on educating grade school students how to participate in games, exercises, and techniques of acting.

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical tells the story of toddler Trixie who has a beloved stuffed bunny, which she misplaces while on a trip to the laundromat with her slightly disheveled dad.  Luckily, she finds the stuffed animal and speaks her first words: "Knuffle Bunny!"  The production is a story about family, best friends, baby steps, and memories that last a lifetime. 

The cast includes Cyana Paolantonio as Trixie, Paul Edward Hope as Dad, Brittany Baratz as Mom, and Matt McGloin and Andrea Washington as Puppeteers.  Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical features set and puppet design by Kat Conley, projections design by Ryan Wineinger, costume design by Kate Turner-Walker, lighting design by Jeff Bruckerhoff, sound design by Ryan Gastelum, and choreography by Paige Hernandez.

The Spring of Culture festival features concerts, lectures, workshops, plays, and exhibitions in more than half a dozen venues across the cities of Manama and Muharraq, Bahrain.  The largest cultural event in the Persian Gulf, this year's Spring of Culture festival lineup includes performances by Julio Iglesias, Angelique Kidjo, Dan Zanes, and others throughout the month of March. For more information on the Spring of Culture festival, please visit springofculture.org.