The Tortoise & The Hare-A Musical
Available Dates: Oct 16 & 17,2008, April 23 & 24,2009, & Various Other Dates
Age Group: Grades K-5
Cost: $650

This is such a fantastic and sweet show. The music and dancing is great and the message is really wonderful! Aesop’s fable gets a fun, updated twist. Bunni Hare wins every race, so how will Thomas Tortoise compete? The famous sports reporter Howard Crow-sel will be there to call the “play by play” in this fantastic fable.

Hobey Ford Puppets-"Rainbow Bridge"
Available Dates: Jan 28, 29 & 30, 2009
Age Group: Grades PK-6
Cost: $625

Winner of puppetry’s highest honor, the UNIMA Citation of Excellence & recipient of three Jim Henson Foundation grants, Hobey Ford is known for excellence in puppetry performance & craft. Hobey’s intricate shadow puppetry work and creation of the original rod puppets, the “foamies” have earned him a place on stages across the world. “World Tales” addresses cultural folktales from Africa (A Story, A Story), Greece (The Grasshopper and the Ant) and the Native American Cherokee Tribe (Little Grand Mother Spider Woman).

Sponsored in part by the
State of Florida Touring Grant

Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus
Available Dates: Nov 14 & 15, (other dates available)
Age Group: Grades K-5
Cost: $575-$650 (according to audience size)

Francis P. Church's famous newspaper reply to an inquisitive little girl is imaginatively brought to the stage in this fast paced show which pays homage to classic holiday films of the 1930's & 1940's. A reporter must follow leads to find proof about the existence of
Santa Claus, realizing in the end that believing is proof enough.

Billy Jonas, "Bangin and Sangin"
Available Dates: September 23, 24 & 25, 2008
Age Group: Grades K-9
Cost: $850

This is by far Theatreworks most popular in- school performer! Each year he is quickly “sold out” because of his music, exuberance and message that reaches everyone in his young audiences. Recycling and protecting our environment is the focus of this upbeat musical program. Billy’s songs of environmental awareness and stewardship stretch imaginations, involves children with one another and their surroundings, and speaks to the heart and souls of all who attend. His message to reduce, reuse, recycle and to care is integrated into original songs, stories, and improvisations with voice, guitar, and “industrial re-percussion” instruments made from found, foraged, and recycled objects.

This performance is funded in part by a grant from the Southern Arts Federation in partnership with the National Endowment of the Arts and Florida State Division of Cultural Affairs.

Gary Krinsky's "Toying With Science"
Available Dates: September 30 & October 1, 2008
Age Group: Grades 1-12
Cost: $850

Toying with Science is a fast-paced, varied and dynamic program.  It combines circus skills, mime, original music, and audience involve-
ment in the exploration of the scientific principles of gravity, leverage, fulcrums, and simple machines.  Garry and his audience investigate
basic scientific information and delve into the imaginations of scientists who have played important roles in the exploration and discovery of concepts that define our world.  Garry brings a number of science-based toys to life with motion, music, humor and insight.  He grants audience members a chance at stardom by inviting a few to join him on stage and participate in juggling or balancing activities with his playful guidance.

Paul "Walking Stick" Taylor
Available Dates: April 8, 9 & 10, 2009
Age Group: Grades 1-12
Cost: $625

Paul “Walking Stick” Taylor is an Australian storyteller, didjeridoo player, singer, and cultural ambassador. He celebrates and presents the culture of his Australian homeland by sharing the stories and music of Aboriginal and European Australia. He travels throughout the U.S. performing to all ages, combining storytelling and music with dance and painting. In addition to his performances, Paul Taylor offers twelve workshops in Australian culture, music and stories and one week residencies for elementary, middle and high
school.

Sponsored in part by the
State of Florida Touring Grant

"Chicken Little - An Appalachian Musical Jamboree"
Available Dates: Oct 16 & 17,2008, April 23 & 24,2009, & Various Other Dates
Age Group: Grades K-5
Cost: $650

Chicken Little may be small, but she has a big imagination.  Come along on her journey to warn everyone that "The Sky Is Falling."  This original musical is filled with toe-tappin' mountain music and live instruments.

The Great Alphabet Adventure
Available Dates: May 6, 14 & 15, 2009
Age Group: Grades PK-3
Cost: $1350

An imaginative look at how hard it is to make a friend and how hard it is to lose one. It allows us to laugh while con-fronting difficult issues like bullying and the loss of a parent and it reminds us that none of us are alone.

Sponsored in part by the
State of Florida Touring Grant

Allan Wolfe-Storyteller of Poems
Available Dates: Jan30-Feb 1, 2008
Age Group: K-12
Cost: $650

Allan performs poetry from memory in the tradition of the Appalachian storytellers. His set is minimal, usually just a simple table and chair. He typically opens with a high-energy introductory poem, followed by a montage of shorter pieces in a wide variety of styles and subjects. Then he'll speak to the audience informally between clusters of poems connected by theme. One moment he will whisper a heart-felt story in verse. The next moment he will transform himself into a hungry Tyrannosaur driving a Volkswagen. He will rattle off a hip-hop piece and segue into a quiet sonnet. Then he'll pick up his guitar to add background to his spoken words, or sing a song about Emily Dickinson or Edgar Allan Poe. And from beginning to end, Wolf gradually reveals the mission he is on, urging audience members to be aware of the poems lurking at their elbows.

Glennis Redmond, Miss Poetic
Available Dates: November 3, 4, 5 & 7, 2008
Age Group: K-12
Cost: $625

Glenis performs original poetry that tells stories from her life, her family and her African-American heritage – teaching audiences to claim their place and respect their own story. This is an interactive performance that gets students up on their feet and learning fun poems. Glenis is available to do creative writing workshops in addition to her performance.

Sponsored in part by the
State of Florida Touring Grant

Mysterious Mona Lisa
Available Dates: April 23 & 24, 2009 (other dates available)
Age Group: 1-6
Cost: $650

No one knows, for certain, the identity of  the mysterious smiling woman in the world's most famous painting, but an art student is about to find some clues as she travels back in time. This original play explores the Art, Science, & Music of the original "Renaissance Man", Leonardo Da Vinci.

Image Soon

I Can be Anything: The Simple Machine Musical
Available Dates: January 7 & 9, 2009
Age Group: Grades 1-5
Cost: $850

You may already know that the Inclined Plane, Lever, Wedge, Pulley, Wheel
and Axle, and Screw are the six basic mechanical devices used to make work
easier. But did you know they sing? Explore the fascinating world of simple
machines as all six discover the magical power of individuality and the infinite potential of teamwork. A musical adventure guaranteed to keep you singing and exploring simple machines long after the curtain falls!

Tuck Everlasting
Available Dates: January 7 & 9, 2009
Age Group: Grades 4-9
Cost: $900

Based on the award-winning novel, the story follows Young Winnie as she leaves her grandmother’s house for an adventure in the woods. There she meets Jesse Tuck, whose family has a secret: a spring whose waters grant immortality. The family strives to hide itself and the spring from the sinister Man in the Yellow Hat, who is desperate to discover the origin of the family’s perpetual youth. It is left for Winnie to discover that the only thing that is truly everlasting is love.

Sponsored in part by the
State of Florida Touring Grant

A Country Christmas Carol
Available Dates: Nov 20 & 21, (other dates available)
Age Group: Grades 1-6
Cost: $650

A new telling of the famous Dicken’s story. Dickens’ story comes to life with a country beat. Carol Scrooge is a Country Music Star who is rich, famous...and rotten!  It takes a visit from her "Dead As A Doornail" former partner, Jake Marley and a journey through the past, present, and future to help her see the light.  Traditional Holiday songs are paired with original music in this modern musical version of the classic holiday tale.

Doug Berky's "Gems: The World's Wisdom Stories"
Available Dates: October 6, 7 & 8
Age Group: Grades 1-6
Cost: $625

Doug inspires laughter and reflection through the illusion of the mime, the antics of the clown, the transformation of the mask, the suspense of a good story and the excitement of improvisation. This performance uses storytelling styles from many cultures including masks, mime, inventive costumes and puppetry to introduce families to a collection of wisdom stories from around the world. Each performance includes up to four story productions. A performance might include a selection from the following stories: "The Lion and the Mouse," "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" (Aesop's), "The Drip Nose Boy" (Native American), "The Lame Man and the Blind Man" (Middle East), and “The Tiger’s Whiskers”
(Korea). Doug can sign his performances if requested.

The Positive Influence Tour
Available Dates: Multiple
Age Group: Grades41-6
Cost: $475

The Positive Influence Tour is a 45 minute show, combining singing, dancing, acting and crowd participation. The show helps teach children about respecting themselves and respecting others. The show touches on the topics of racism, being one’s self, following your dreams, looking for the best in a
situation, believing in yourself and not judging others harshly and unfairly. The Positive Influence Tour was created to let kids listen to modern day rock, pop and R&B music with positive messages and moral values and includes “cool” dance routines that are neither vulgar nor offensive. Most importantly, this show is an entertaining way to help bring some serious topics to today’s youth.

Oedipus Rex
Available Dates: January 7, 8 & 9, 2009
Age Group: Grades 8-12
Cost: $1000

First recognized as the ideal play by Aristotle in
the fourth century B.C., this play has mesmer-
ized readers, scholars and audience members for
literally thousands of years. This production
emphasizes the last desperate moments of a city
that is on the verge of extinction. Its leader, Oe-
dipus, stubbornly refuses to give in to the
scourge that is destroying his city and its peo-
ple. He fights like a man possessed to find those
responsible. This is a city that has one hour left
in its long, glorious life. That hour is what you will see in this production. One hour. “Will those responsible for our destruction be found and pun-
ished? Can we be saved from certain death? Will we live to see tomorrow, or is this our last hour?”

Sponsored in part by the
State of Florida Touring Grant

VOTE?
Available Dates: October 23, 2008
Age Group: Grades 5-12
Cost: $1350

Election Day 2006, eighteen- year- old Nicole Harrison registered to vote when she got her license but has no intention of punching a ballot today. Why bother? There are too many better things to do. As her friend argues about the need to voice an opinion, Nicole suddenly slips back through time, back into the midst of the Revolutionary War! Nicole battles to return to her own time while her compatriots battle for the very right she so casually dismisses. Tossed through time from one historical event to another, Nicole stands beside women, minorities and young people all demanding and claiming their rights. She participates in changing the face of democracy as we all learn just how many shoulders we’re standing on every time we step into a voting booth.

Sponsored in part by the
State of Florida Touring Grant

Interrupting Vanessa
Available Dates: January 19, 2009
Age Group: Grades 2-5
Cost: $1350

An imaginative look at how hard it is to make a friend and how hard it is to lose one. It allows us to laugh while confronting difficult issues like bullying and the loss of a parent and it reminds us that none of us are alone.

Caribbean Sound
Available Dates: Various Dates
Age Group: Grades 1-12
Cost: $725

The Caribbean Sound Educational Program gives students an introduction to the magical world of steel drums and history of the instrument as well as the musical styles from the Caribbean. An educational and amusing look at the history behind steel drums beginning with the discovery of Trinidad and Tobago by Christopher Columbus in 1498 to the present.
Accompanied by a storyteller, encounter the enchanting sound of African drumming and rhythms, bottle & spoon bands of the early 1900’s, the great Tamboo Bamboo bands (an instrument made from large pieces of bamboo), metal drums from the 1950’s and finally combining all these elements with the modern steel drum, the instrument in use today.