Red Bank Theater Watch: A Feel Good Week Filled With Song And Dance

This week is a great week for some quality family time as the Count Basie presents two shows filled with music and childlike spirit. Today at 4pm Count Basie presents the Imagination Movers' “Big Warehouse Tour.”

The weekend also brings about a second chance to catch the outstanding performances showcased in Phoenix Productions presentation of the beloved classic Annie.

There will be three performances of Annie to choose from: Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 3pm.  

The Broadway classic, which has some of the most memorable music, will be presented as a revival of the original play and it’s sure to be a treat that the entire family will enjoy.

Phoenix Productions brings a high quality reproduction of Annie to life on the historic stage of the Count Basie Theatre.  The original Broadway play lasted nearly six years and earned a Tony Award for best musical.

The show’s music is among the most popular music to come out of a Broadway play, with memorable hits such as “Hard Knock Life” and “Tomorrow.”

Phoenix Productions is a community theater company based in Red Bank.  A nonprofit community theater formed in 1987, they specialize in producing Broadway revivals at a modest cost so that families can attend and introduce children to the theater. 

Phoenix Productions allows performers from all over a chance to work in a full scale production at a renowned theater. Each of their shows features high quality, professional actors.

Annie takes place in the depressed 1930’s, and follows a young orphan as she attempts to find a family to call her own. The Phoenix Productions performance features 30 actors from across New Jersey with the lead role of Annie played by Carly Nelson of Manahawkin. 

If your kids are more rock-and-roll than Broadway, head over to the Count Basie on Tuesday night to catch the popular kids group, Imagination Movers.

Say “Imagination Movers” to any young child and you are sure to receive shrieks of delight in response. Started in 2003, the Imagination Movers are a group of friends from New Orleans, LA who got together to write and perform children’s songs. 

Their cutting edge style of music, (according to their website think Beastie Boys and Red Hot Chili Peppers) and kid friendly lyrics make them a hit with both kids and adults alike. Their motto of “Reach high, think big, work hard, have fun” has been the key to their success, and has inspired many of their fans. 

To date, Imagination Movers have sold more than 200,000 CDs and DVDs and are filming the third season of their series for Playhouse Disney. Their TV show is a combination of music and comedy suited for kids of all ages which airs in 55 countries and 12 different languages. The “Big Warehouse Tour” began in February and had brought the Imagination Movers to cities all over the country.

• Imagination Movers: Tuesday, April 12^th at 4:00pm
• Annie:  Friday, April 15^th at 8pm, Saturday, April 16^th at 8pm and Sunday, April 17^th at 3pm