Tomie dePaola's "Strega Nona," on tour nationwide, brings the delightful story loved by millions and a fresh, original score to Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, Sunday, Feb. 21, at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The company will also perform two ArtsBound shows on Monday, Feb. 22, at 10 a.m. and noon. The ArtsBound series is sponsored in part by the Fairfield County Community Foundation and the Herman Goldman Foundation. This presentation is part of Fairfield University's Arts & Minds season.

Under the direction of Tracy Ward ("Hunter Gatherers , " Bay Area Premiere), choreography by Nicole McGann and a "pop-up book inspired" set design by Andrea Bechert; the magic of each song brings new life to the material for a young audience (Grades pre-K-4) and to audiences that have grown up reading the legendary stories of Tomie dePaola. Maximum Entertainment is presenting the tour in association with Active Arts Theater.

"Strega Nona the Musical" is the fusion of three of Tomie dePaola's cherished books: "Strega Nona," "Strega Nona Her Story" and "Big Anthony and the Magic Ring." Thomas Olson and Roberta Carlson's theatrical adaptation of dePaola's "Strega Nona" stories was originally developed as a touring production for the renowned Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis during their 1986-87 Season. This lively musical about a magical Italian grandmother and her mischievous apprentice boasts a score by Aron Accurso, an award-winning member of the famed BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop in New York. Throughout the creation of the musical as well as its rehearsal process, Tomie dePaola was involved in giving creative color and inspiration to the story's evolvement.

The talented cast of seven triple threat singer/dancer/actors includes Janine Burgener, Jim Darrell Featherstone II, Kevin Hull, Meghan Elizabeth Ihle, Jennifer Kosta, Jessica Lena Rosa, and Michael Scott Wells.

Tickets for the Sunday performances are $15 adults, $12 children; the Monday ArtsBound performances are $7 and study guides are available online. All tickets are available online at fairfield.edu/quick or by calling the Box Office at (203) 254-4010. The toll free number is 1-877-ARTS-396. Special offers and discounts are available through the Quick Center's e-mail list. Join, by contacting boxoffice@quickcenter.com . And become a fan of the Quick Center for the Arts on Facebook! Keep up-to-date with the latest performance news, plus special offers and discounts! Find the Quick Center at www.facebook.com/FairfieldQuickCenter.

Posted On: 02-05-2010 10:02 AM

Volume: 42 Number: 188