Chatham Community Players to Present Special Show at Fishawack Festival

The Chatham Community Players will present a special show for children during the borough's Fishawack Festival on June 12 at 11:30 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m. at the Chatham Playhouse at 23 N. Passaic Ave.

New York Times Bestseller author and illustrator Michael Rex, will read and sign his new book, "Furious George Goes Bananas: A Primate Parody," and a "special guest" will be present.  The show will also feature folk music by New Jersey mother/son duo Jeslyn and Ben Wheeless. 

Rex has written and illustrated over 25 books for children, including the New York Times No. 1 Bestseller "Goodnight Goon" and its follow-up, "The Runaway Mummy," also a Times Bestseller. "Furious George Goes Bananas: A Primate Parody" is a parody of the classic "Curious George" series, and pokes fun at the treatment of the "curious little monkey" in those books. The author grew up in Chatham and now lives in the Bronx with his wife and his two boys.  

Jeslyn Wheeless performs in schools, libraries, park settings, museums, churches, and clubs for audiences of all ages. She has been a featured storyteller in New York's Central Park, at the New Jersey Storytelling Festival, and at First Night Celebrations.  Her first recording, "Hoot Owl Blues: Tales and Tunes to Conjure Up a Mood", was named to the American Library Association's Notable Children's Recordings in 2000.  Her large repertoire includes folktales and songs that share joy, wonder and humor from all over the world.  

Her son, Ben is a lead guitarist and rapper, having performed previously with the London band, Captain Kick and the Cowboy Ramblers while earning his BA at the University of London.

Admission will be $5 for all.  To purchase tickets, call the theater box office at 973-635-7363. For information regarding box office hours and directions, please call the box office number listed above or visit the Chatham Community Players official website at  www.chathamplayers.org.