young company WINTER FESTIVAL 2016

the young company Winter Festival includes 4 fully staged productions: family-friendly Dear Edwina, Jr. for ages four and up, old favorite Pippi Longstocking for ages five and up, a new musical version of Alice for ages 8 and up (written by young company alum Andrew Barbato), and the classic Wonderful Town for ages twelve and up. The Winter Festival is the culmination of 8 weeks of rehearsals by the students and their professional directors, music directors, choreographers, stage managers, and design team.

Dear Edwina, Jr.

11-year-old Edwina lives in Paw Paw, Michigan and is wise beyond her years. When a talent scout for the World Famous Advice-A-Palooza Festival visits, Edwina gathers her friends to perform the “Dear Edwina” show, hoping to be selected for the Festival. In this musical show-within-a-show, Edwina and her friends sing advice in response to letters and teach the audience some very important lessons, such as how to say ‘no, thank you,’ how not to be a frankenguest, how to use your silverware, and how far a hello will take you. Music by Zina Goldrich, book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler. Directed by Sophie Rich, choreographed by Allison Honea, and music direction by Ian Conway.

Pippi Longstocking

Pippi Longstocking is an independent girl who loves life and having fun while her father, a pirate captain, is out at sea. She and her friends Tommy and Annika play pretend all the time, but some adults, like Mrs. Prysselius, the head of the Child Welfare Board, try to change her unconventional ways. The red pigtails. The mismatched socks. The monkey perched on her shoulder. The well-known adventures of Pippi Longstocking come to life in this musical adaptation. By Astrid Lindgren, adapted for the stage in a translation by Thomas W. Olson, music by Roberta Carlson, lyrics by Roberta Carlson and Thomas W. Olson. Directed by Sarah Elizabeth Bedard, choreographed by Liza Nagle, and music direction by Taylor Kirkwood.

Alice

Today is Alice’s birthday, and everyone wants her to be something she isn’t; from what she wears to what she eats, her friends and family want to be in control. When Alice falls down the rabbit hole into Wonderland while chasing after the White Rabbit, she lands in the most colorful place possible, and although she is lost, she ends up finding herself. Alice, the Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, and all your favorite characters appear in this dynamic re-envisioning of “Alice in Wonderland.” Book by young company alum Andrew Barbato, music and lyrics by Lesley DeSantis and Andrew Barbato. Based on Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Directed by Tyler Rosati, movement direction by Sam Richert, and music direction by Steve Bass.

Wonderful Town

Two sisters from Ohio move to Greenwich Village, New York City to follow their dreams. Ruth, an average girl who can’t get a man’s attention, and her opposite, Eileen, an actress with men falling at her feet, navigate their new lives in the big city in this true classic filled with incredible dance numbers. Book by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Directed by Kate Paulsen, choreographed by Ceit Zweil, and music direction by Bethany Aiken.

Performance Schedule:

Wonderful Town—Friday, January 29th at 7:30pm; Saturday, January 30th at 7:30pm; Wednesday, February 3rd at 2pm; Friday, February 5th at 7:30pm; and Saturday, February 6th at 7:30pm.

Pippi Longstocking—Saturday, January 30th at 1pm; Sunday, January 31st at 1pm; Saturday, February 6th at 1pm; and Sunday, February 7th at 1pm.

Alice—Saturday, January 30th at 4pm; Sunday, January 31st at 4pm; Thursday, February 4th at 7:30pm; and Saturday, February 6th at 4pm.

Dear Edwina, Jr.—Saturday, February 6th at 11am; Sunday, February 7th at 11am.

Tickets are $15. For more information, call Stoneham Theatre’s Box Office at (781) 279-2200, or visit www.stonehamtheatre.org.

young company Spring 2016 Classes will be offered February 29 - May 7, 2016. Weekly acting classes engage students in various performance styles while helping them develop a strong base in the fundamentals of acting. Dance classes are best for those who want to improve their musical theatre performance skills. Mostly a combination of jazz and ballet, Musical Theatre Dance is offered at three different levels. Tuition is $180 for each 8-week class

Visit http://www.stonehamtheatre.org/fall--spring-classes.html for a full list of classes being offered and to download a registration form.

Voice Lessons will be offered February 22 - June 12, 2016. the young company offers weekly half-hour long private voice lessons Sunday through Friday. With professional and dynamic instructors, students explore vocal technique, musicianship, song repertoire, and audition skills. Spring semester runs 14 sessions and is $420. Visit http://www.stonehamtheatre.org/fall--spring-voice-lessons.html for more information and to download a registration form.

Financial Aid and Payment Plans are available.