Shows & Tickets
Features Bilingual Production Tomás and the Library Lady Based on Award-Winning Children’s Book
Includes Acclaimed One-Man Show Power on Earth Chronicling Influential African-American Leaders
Season Kicks Off with Free Family Fun Day on Sept 27
LOS ANGELES, August 6, 2008 — Saturday Scene, the Geffen Playhouse’s family-oriented theater series, launches its eighth season with a focus on music, diversity and interactive story-telling.
This year, Saturday Scene is bringing back favorites from past years, including Gwendolyn and the Goodtime Gang and PBS’s Steve Songs, as well as presenting new works by award-winning children’s theater companies. This includes two performances of Childsplay’s multilingual adaptation of the children’s book Tomás and the Library Lady, an interactive show by New York’s Striking Viking Story Pirates, who use original stories (written by kids) to create hilarious plays featuring live actors and puppets and Darryl Van Leer’s acclaimed one-man show Power on Earth.
“Saturday Scenes at the Geffen Playhouse is a wonderful alternative to weekend morning television,” said Debra Pasquerette, Geffen Playhouse Education Director. “The interactive performances are enjoyable for kids, parents and grandparents alike. And, in addition to being something that the whole family can enjoy together, it’s also a great way to introduce children to the excitement of live theater at a young age.”
On September 27, the Saturday Scene season will kick off with a free Family Fun Day open to the whole family. Complimentary food will be served and families will be able to see excerpts from many of the performances expected throughout the year including Melissa Green, Darryl Van Leer and a special appearance by the Los Angels Ballet.
Saturday Scene programming is separated into two age specific groups: productions appropriate for children ages two to six and productions enjoyable for children ages six to 12. Saturday Scene subscriptions, which go on sale on August 15, will be offered by age group and are $10 per performance if patrons subscriber to all performances in one age group; tickets are $12 per performance if patrons subscribe to four or more performances in either age group. Subscribers will be admitted into the theater 15 minutes prior to the general public, ensuring the best seats in the house.
Single tickets are $15 for general admission seating. All Saturday Scene performances begin at 11am on the Geffen Playhouse’s main stage and are followed by complimentary snacks donated by Gelson’s Market. Geffen Playhouse Saturday Scene 08/09 2-2-2 -more
The Geffen Playhouse 2008-2009 Saturday Scene season currently includes:
SATURDAY SCENE KICK OFF
Sept 27 10am – 1pm Family Fun Day ALL AGES Free Admission. Performers from throughout the year showcase some of the great events the 2008-09 Saturday Scene Season has to offer. Complimentary food, fun and fantastic surprises.
GROUP 1: CURTAIN CLIMBERS – AGES 2-6
Nov 8 11am Melissa Green AGES 2-6 Melissa Green and Friends perform original and traditional songs that will have the whole family up out of your seats singing and dancing along. Melissa, a former preschool teacher, was inspired by her students when writing her whimsical, upbeat melodies.
Dec 6 11am Shushybye Dream Band AGES 2-6 The multi award-winning and critically acclaimed Shushybye Dream Band features five talented musicians and lead vocals by beloved singer Michael North. Shushybye Dream Band presents the full live band as they perform their contagious rock ‘n roll, swing, R&B and country original tunes, backed by fun-filled dancing.
Feb 28 11am The Striking Viking Story Pirates ALL AGES The Striking Viking Story Pirates use original stories – written by kids – to create plays with professional actors, costumes and puppets. A huge hit in Manhattan, the Story Pirates are making their west coast premiere at the Geffen Playhouse’s Saturday Scene.
March 7 11am Rhythm Child ALL AGES The Rhythm Child Network, a company devoted to the advancement and promotion of positive music for the next generation, let’s everyone join the band during their interactive show with soulful uplifting music.
May 2 11am Frog Belly Rat Bone ALL AGES Based on the book by Timothy Basil Ering, Rogue Artists Ensemble presents this untraditional tale about friendship stock full of creative characters and living in the imaginative world of Cementland.
May 9 11am Gwendolyn and the Goodtime Gang AGES 2-6 Gwendolyn and the gang work to inspire children at an early age to pick up an instrument and put on a show. At any age, this performance is sure to put a smile on your face.
May 16 11am Steve Songs AGES 2-6 Steve Roslonek, host of PBS Kids morning program, blends participatory songs, clever stories and great melodies into an experience that leads young listeners on “not just a musical journey but an entertaining, interactive and educational one,” (according to the Boston Globe).
GROUP 2: PLAYHOUSE PLAYERS – AGES 6-12
Nov 15 11am Tomás and the Library Lady AGES 6-12 Nov 22 11am Tomás and the Library Lady AGES 6-12 This bilingual play (Spanish and English) with music is adapted by José Cruz González from the book of the same name by Pat Mora. Presented by the award-wining children’s theater company Childsplay, this timely story inspires children to look beyond the confines of poverty, language barriers, and cultural intolerance to find joy in reading.
Dec 13 11am A Christmas Carol AGES 6-12 The story is a non-denominational exploration of the themes of poverty, family and giving presented by acclaimed children’s theater group Will and Company. This humorous and touching retelling of the Charles Dickens classic is also highly interactive.
Jan 10 11am Pinocchio AGES 6-12 Will and Company retells this timeless story, based on the Italian classic by Carlo Collodi, about a wooden puppet named Pinocchio who learns valuable lessons about kindness, courage and honesty. Geffen Playhouse Saturday Scene 08/09 3-3-3
Feb 14 11am Iron John AGES 6-12 This new piece by BOXTALES Theatre Company uses storytelling, live music and various movement styles to tell the Brothers Grimm tale, Iron John. The parabolic story reminds us of our connectedness to nature and the power of the imagination, and ultimately that we are at our best when we serve something bigger than ourselves.
Feb 21 11am Got Homer? Heroic Tales from Greek Mythology AGES 6-12 In this show, presented by BOXTALES, Greek Hero Odysseus tells of his ten-year journey home form the Trojan War. His encounters with Poseidon, Athena, Zeus, the Cyclops, the Sirens and many other adventures are presented in an interactive style featuring music.
March 14 11am Power on Earth AGES 6-12 Actor Darryl Van Leer's acclaimed one-man show, Power on Earth has earned high praise from critics and audiences alike. Termed "emotionally riveting," by Daily Variety, the show features vivid portrayals of some of history's most important and influential African American figures, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Malcolm X, Nat Turner, Marcus Garvey, Frederick Douglass and blues greats Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters.
May 2 11am Frog Belly Rat Bone ALL AGES Based on the book by Timothy Basil Ering, Rogue Artists Ensemble presents this untraditional tale about friendship, stock full of creative characters living in the imaginative world of Cementland.
EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: Geffen Playhouse10886 Le Conte Avenue\Los Angeles, CA 90024310.208.5454GeffenPlayhouse.com
TICKETS: $10 - $15Geffen Box Office: 310-208-5454GeffenPlayhouse.com/EducationTicketmaster.com
ABOUT THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE The Geffen Playhouse has been a hub of the Los Angeles theater scene since opening its doors in 1995. Noted for its intimacy and celebrated for its eclectic mix of classic and contemporary plays, provocative new works and musicals, the Geffen continues to present a body of work that has garnered national recognition. Named in honor of entertainment mogul and philanthropist David Geffen, who made the initial donation to the theater, the company is headed by Producing Director and President of the Board Gilbert (Gil) Cates, Artistic Director Randall Arney, Managing Director Susan Barton and Chairman of the Board Frank Mancuso. Proudly associated with UCLA, the Geffen Playhouse welcomes an audience of more than 130,000 each year and maintains an extensive education and outreach program, designed to engage young people and the community at large in the arts. For more information, please visit geffenplayhouse.com.
