Christmas tale "The Tailor of Gloucester" takes the stage at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts

November 17, 2003

An original musical version of the beloved Beatrix Potter story "The Tailor of Gloucester" comes to Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Well-known to generations of readers, this timeless Christmas story is geared toward children in grades K through 5.

Said to be Beatrix Potter's own favorite among her many children's tales, "The Tailor of Gloucester" tells the story of a poor tailor who is asked to make a splendid cherry-colored waistcoat for the Gloucester mayor's Christmas Day wedding. Finding beautiful cloth and adornments for the piece, he works his fingers to the bone, only to realize he hasn't enough thread to finish the coat. Fretful, he heads home to find his sly cat, Simpkin, has spent the day trapping mice under teacups and he lets the poor creatures go.

The mice don't forget his kindness and, when the magic of Christmas Eve makes friends from natural enemies, the sun breaks on a miraculously happy day for all.

"The Tailor of Gloucester" was published 100 years ago in 1903, just a year after the publication of Potter's best-known book "The Tale of Peter Rabbit." This Theatre IV production features music and lyrics by Paul Deiss.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for children. For tickets, call the Quick Center box office at 203-254-4010 or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396. For more information, visit the website, www.quickcenter.com. Media inquiries should be made to Dana Ambrosini, Fairfield University's assistant director of media relations, at 203-254-4000, ext. 2726.

Fairfield University is a comprehensive Jesuit university that prepares undergraduate, graduate and continuing education students for leadership and service in a constantly changing world. U.S. News and World Report's 2003 "America's Best Colleges" ranks Fairfield third among universities with master's programs in the North. Approximately 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students from 37 states, 43 countries, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are enrolled at the University's six schools. The University was founded in 1942 in the scenic shoreline community of Fairfield, Connecticut.