Entertainment
Musical adventure “Are You My Mother?” at Westport Country Playhouse
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Mar 12, 2010 - 4:58 AM

The cast of “Are You My Mother?” at Westport Country Playhouse on Sunday, March 28

Westport Country Playhouse’s Family Festivities Series will present the musical adventure, “Are You My Mother?,” based on P. D. Eastman’s whimsical and well-loved picture book, on Sunday, March 28, 1 and 4 p.m. Recommended for grades K and up, the show is produced by ArtsPower and is approximately one hour in length. At long last, Baby Bird emerges from her shell and expects to be greeted by her mother’s song. But her mother is not there. Where is she? Why isn’t she home? With the help of Dog, Cat and Hen, Baby Bird sets out in search of Mother Bird.

Pre-show activities, for which reservations are required, begin one hour before the performances at noon and 3 p.m. Pre-show activities for “Are You My Mother?” will be based on theater games that encourage cooperation and teamwork.

ArtsPower was founded in 1985 by Mark and Gary Blackman who have been steering its course ever since. ArtsPower has grown into one of America’s largest and most active producers of professional theater for young and family audiences. Its 26 professional touring productions have been seen by nine million people in 46 states and in some of the national’s top venues including The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and Lincoln Center.

Tickets for “Are You My Mother?” are $16. Birthday party facilities may be scheduled in advance. Everyone in the audience requires a ticket. Groups of 10 or more save up to 30% off the regular ticket price. For group sales information call (203) 227-5137, x120.

Playhouse Information

Westport Country Playhouse, a not-for-profit theater, serves as a treasured home for the performing arts and is a cultural landmark for Connecticut. Under the artistic direction of Mark Lamos and management direction of Michael Ross, the Playhouse creates quality productions of new and classic plays that enlighten, enrich and engage a diverse community of theater lovers, artists and students. The Playhouse’s rich history dates back to 1931, when New York theatre producer Lawrence Langner created a Broadway-quality stage within an 1830s tannery. The Playhouse quickly became an established stop on the New England “straw hat circuit” of summer stock theatres. Now in its 80th season, Westport Country Playhouse has produced more than 700 plays, 36 of which later transferred to Broadway, most recently the world premiere of "Thurgood" and a revival of Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" with Paul Newman, and in earlier years "Come Back, Little Sheba" with Shirley Booth, "The Trip to Bountiful" with Lillian Gish, and "Butterflies Are Free" with Keir Dullea and Blythe Danner. For its artistic excellence, the Playhouse received a 2005 Governor's Arts Award and a 2000 "Connecticut Treasure" recognition. It was also designated as an Official Project of Save America's Treasures by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is entered on the Connecticut State Register of Historic Places. Following a multi-million dollar renovation completed in 2005, the Playhouse transformed into a year-round, state-of-the-art producing theater, which has preserved its original charm and character. In addition to a full season of theatrical productions, the Playhouse serves as a community resource, presenting educational programming and workshops; a children's theater series; symposiums; music; films; and readings.

For tickets or to receive a Family Festivities brochure, call the box office at (203) 227-4177, or toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit the box office at 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport, or www.westportplayhouse.org.

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