Jack and Annie, the story’s protagonists, travel back in time to meet playwright William Shakespeare. The show accentuates the importance of Shakespeare to children and adults in an entertaining way and drops plenty of winking references to the Bard’s many plays.
Jenny Laird and Will Osborne wrote the show’s book and lyrics. Randy Courts composed the music and wrote additional lyrics. Janeece Freeman-Clark directed the show, which is choreographed by Gregory Omar Osborne.
The Magic Tree House series, written by Mary Pope Osborne, has been translated into more than 30 languages, has sold more than 135 million copies worldwide and is the best-selling chapter book series of all time. The author studied theater, mythology and comparative religion at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
McQuaide Blasko Endowment provides support for the presentation.
Kids Connections, which is free for ticket holders and includes a craft-centered, child-friendly activity, takes place one hour before the performance. Due to space and time restrictions, Kids Connections participation is limited.
Magic Tree House party
The Center for the Performing Arts, in partnership with Schlow Centre Region Library, will have a Magic Tree House-themed party at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, in the library’s Downsbrough Community Room, 211 S. Allen St., State College.
The party is free and open to the public, but registration is required and attendance is limited to 50. Participants will have an opportunity to make lion masks, scrolls and more at the 90-minute event, which is recommended for ages 5-12.
Attendees will have a chance to win a family four-pack of tickets to see “Showtime with Shakespeare.”
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