Press Releases

Classic Story Comes to Life in Musical Form

EVENT INFORMATION

What:
"The Wind in the Willows"

Who:
Algonquin Youth Ensemble

Dates & Times:
Friday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 21 at 11 a.m.

Location:
Algonquin Arts Theatre Box Office
173 Main Street, Manasquan, N.J.

Tickets:
Adults: $20, Seniors: $18, Students: $15 Box Office: 732-528-9211 or algonquinarts.org
All tickets subject to $2 processing fee.

MANASQUAN, N.J. (Dec. 16, 2013) - The Algonquin Youth Ensemble (AYE) will take the stage this Friday & Saturday to present a musical production of "The Wind in the Willows" at Algonquin Arts Theatre.

The performance runs just more than 60 minutes and is catered to a family audience. This all-ages show makes a great first experience with live theatre.

An adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's delightful tale of Rat, Mole, Badger and Toad, "The Wind in the Willows" tells the story of the friendship between the good-hearted Water Rat, the shy and curious Mole, and the sensible Badger and the wily and impulsive Mr. Toad. The antics of Mr. Toad test the friendship as he gives in to sudden crazes such as driving recklessly around the countryside. Their task is to save Toad from himself and later rescue the magnificent Toad Hall from the devious weasels, ferrets and stoats.

Friday's performance is at 7 p.m. and Saturday's performance starts at 11 a.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $15 for students and available online at algonquinarts.org and from the Algonquin Box Office at 173 Main Street in Manasquan by calling 732-528-9211. The Box Office is open weekdays from 12-6 p.m. and will be open this Saturday, Dec. 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Prior to Saturday's performance, the Algonquin will host "Wild Wood Song & Story Time" at 10 a.m., a free event held in conjunction with Two River Theatre Company's One Book, One Community program. Cast members from the Algonquin Youth Ensemble will read a passage from "The Wind in the Willows," will perform a song from their performance and will also teach all attendees a song. Any attendee coming to the 11 a.m. performance of "The Wind in the Willows" will be invited to sing the song they learned on stage with the AYE cast during the curtain call of the 11 a.m. performance. Please call 732-528-9211 to RSVP for a place in Song & Story Time. Separate tickets are required to attend the 11 a.m. performance.

The cast includes 22 students from Monmouth and Ocean counties ranging in age from 7 to 16. "The Wind in the Willows" stars Cassidy Accordino, Ally DeForge, Marcus Hannah (adult) and Shane Kirchner of Manasquan; Sydney Gordon, Mackenzie Malpass and Jillian Moran of Pt. Pleasant Beach; Luke Pearlberg of Brielle; Tommy Taylor of Wall; Ella Cardelfe of Spring Lake; Maria Elizabeth Utz of Farmingdale; Nicole Curnan of Toms River; Bridgette Farrow and Sean Gassaway of Freehold; Sophia Haber Brock of Keansburg; Shannon Leff of Monroe; Jada Sanchez, Sebastian Sanchez and Brooke Tortorelli of Howell; Chuckie Lewinski of Neptune; and Molly MacIssac, Maeve Oldham and Fiona Sheridan of Brick.

"The Wind in the Willows" is directed by Ian Moore of Long Branch, musically directed by David Shirley of Tinton Falls and choreographed by Casey Abel of Freehold. Kerielle Sollecito (Brielle) is the stage manager and production interns are Erin McGowan of Brick and Mia Sanchez of Howell. Tommy Fletcher of Wall is the lighting board operator and costumes are by Jacquie Revier of Playtime Costumes in Howell.

Cast members were selected by audition in September and studied and rehearsed two times per week this fall as part of the theatre's Performing Arts Academy. In spring 2014, the Algonquin Youth Ensemble will present "13" with auditions being help Jan. 22. Classes will begin on February 5.

The entire Performing Arts Academy schedule for spring 2014 has just been released, with popular classes returning including: Algonquin Glee Singers, Creative Dramatics, Acting for Young Actors, TV & Film from A-Z, Musical Theatre, Comedy and Musical Theatre Dance Intensive. Schedule and enrollment information is available at algonquinarts.org or by calling 732-528-9224.

About Algonquin Arts Theatre:
Algonquin Arts Theatre (AAT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1992 with the mission to provide cultural enhancement and arts education to all audiences at the Jersey Shore through high-quality performances and programs in theatre, music, film and dance. The end goal is to foster appreciation of the arts and promote lifelong learning, particularly among underserved audiences including the economically disadvantaged, senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.

Algonquin Arts Theatre's programs are made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; by funds from the Paul F. Zito, M.D. Educational Foundation, by Simon Kaufman, Esq. & Maria Zito-Kaufman and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.