Quick Center for the Arts announces Young Audience Series and Outreach programs | Press Releases

Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, Alice's Wonderland, a daffy housekeeper and a mouse with a purple purse will delight children young and old at Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts' Young Audience Series for the 2000-01 season.

"Peter Pan" will fly into Neverland with Wendy and her brothers on Sunday, Oct. 1, at 1 and 3 p.m., and take you on a journey you'll never forget. Based on J. M. Barrie's story of the boy who never grew up, the show is appropriate for kindergartners through Grade 6. "Peter Pan," is staged by Theatreworks/USA, the recipient of numerous awards and the troupe that helped launch the careers of such noted actors as Danny Glover, Henry Winkler and Susan Egan of Broadway's "Beauty and the Beast."

Step through the looking glass into a world of excitement and enchantment with an adaptation of Lewis Carroll's great classic, "Alice in Wonderland," on Sunday, Nov. 5, at 1 and 3 p.m. Produced by American Family Theatre, this rollicking musical is filled with terrific sets, special effects and guaranteed fun. "Alice..." will be repeated on Monday, Nov. 6, at 10 a.m., at the Quick Center's Outreach Program for children in Grades 2-5.

The whole family will enjoy the jubilant holiday musical based on Dickens' timeless classic, "A Christmas Carol," on Sunday, Nov. 26, at 1 and 3 p.m. Beautifully staged and choreographed, this production by American Family Theater is a proven box office draw for the holiday season. The show will be repeated on Monday, Nov. 27, at 10 a.m., as part of the Quick Center's Outreach Program for children in all grades.

Kids in Grades K-3 will be delighted with "Amelia Bedelia and the Baby," on Feb. 4, at 1 and 3 p.m., as Peggy Parishs' favorite storybook characters come to life in Theaterworks/USA Story Salad Productions' zesty new treat about a daffy housekeeper who baby-sits in her own uniquely literal-minded way. This production will be repeated on Monday, Feb. 5, at 10 a.m., as part of the Quick Center's Outreach Program.

"Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse," presented by the Kennedy Center Celebration Imagination On Tour on Sunday, March 18, at 1 and 3 p.m., tells the story of Lilly, a little mouse full of ambition and youthful enthusiasm who loves school, especially Mr. Slinger. When she receives an exciting new purple plastic purse, Lilly can't wait to show it to her class. Through her various adventures Lilly learns valuable lessons about friendship, family and forgiveness. Geared for children in Grades K-3, "Lilly..." will be repeated on Monday, March 19, at 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m., as part of the Quick Center's Outreach Program.

The Young Audience Series will conclude on Sunday, May 6 at 1 and 3 p.m., with "The Red Balloon." Adapted from the novel and the Academy-Award-winning film, the show tells the story of Pascal, a small boy who feels misunderstood and ignored. One day he spies a magical red balloon and begins a citywide adventure where he discovers the joys and frustrations of friendship. Visible Fictions Productions will repeat this show for Grades K-6 on Monday, May 7, at 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m., as part of the Quick Center's Outreach Program.

The Quick Center's Outreach Program, the Schools in Partnership Schooldays Series, began ten years ago as a one-week summer camp, but has been greatly expanded upon over the past several years by Deborah Sommers, the Center's program director since 1992.

The Schooldays Series is designed to give economically disadvantaged children throughout the region the opportunity not only to experience live theater but to become sophisticated audiences as well. Ten productions will be offered in the coming season (double the number of the previous year) and three workshops for teachers are scheduled. These shows enrich the lives of more than 4,000 inner-city children by providing tickets for and transportation to its events. All-in-all, more than 12,000 area children experience the arts each year through the Quick Center's programs.

In addition to the aforementioned programs such as "Alice in Wonderland," "A Christmas Carol," "Amelia Bedelia and the Baby," "Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse," and "The Red Balloon," the Quick Center has added five other productions to its Outreach Program:

Kids in Grades 5 and up will thrill to two performances of Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar," on Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. The show has been adapted by the Aquila Theatre Company of London, acclaimed as the foremost producers of classical theater.

For the younger set in Grades 2-8, "The Boxcar Children" on Monday, Jan. 29, at 10 a.m., will examine what you get when you mix a family of adventurous orphans with an old abandoned boxcar. This is a brand new, down-home, feel-good musical adaptation of the contemporary classic.

In a very special event, upcoming superstar, pianist Awadagin Pratt, will bring his masterful technique and musical insights to a concert arranged especially for students in Grades 5 and up on Friday, Feb. 23, at 10 a.m.

Zip on your space suits and blast off when "Footprints on the Moon," debuts on Wednesday, March 28, at 10 a.m. This Theatreworks/USA revue, aimed at students in Grades 4-9, relives the early days of space explorations and man's first steps on the moon.

The Schooldays Series concludes on Monday, May 21, at 10 a.m., when everyone's favorite elementary school student, "Ramona Quimby," (adapted from Beverly Cleary's award-winning book) takes us on the latest of her madcap mischievous capers. This show is appropriate for children in Grades 1-6.

The Quick Center's Outreach Program is funded in part by the Kiwanis Club of Fairfield and Schools in Partnership with Unilever H & PC, the Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation and People's Bank. Tickets for the Schooldays Series are $5.

Subscriptions for the Young Audience Series are $48 for adults and $36 for children. Single ticket prices are $10 for adults and $8 for children. Discounts are available for the Young Audience Series as part of the Quick Center's special birthday package which includes accommodations for a party in the Quick Center. For more information call (203) 254-4010 or toll-free at 1-877-ARTS-396.