For Immediate Release: November 3, 2005
Media Contact: Jessica Calter, Arden Theatre Company, 215.922.8900 x49

Arden Theatre Company will present the world premiere, The Dinosaur Musical, from the creators of last season’s smash hit A Year with Frog and Toad. Directed by Whit MacLaughlin (A Year with Frog and Toad, Sideways Stories from Wayside School), The Dinosaur Musical, begins previews on Wednesday, November 30, 2005; opens Sunday, December 4, 2005; and runs through Sunday, January 22, 2006. The production is sponsored by PECO and the 2005/2006 season of Arden Children's Theatre is sponsored by Target. The Dinosaur Musical is recommended for families and children ages five and older.

A family adventure of pre-historic proportions, The Dinosaur Musical is the latest world premiere from Rob Reale and Willie Reale, creators of the Tony Award-nominated A Year with Frog and Toad. In this adventurous musical, dwindling food supplies force surviving dinosaurs to agree not to eat each other. When T-Rexes go back on their word it’s up to a small band of peaceful dinosaurs to save the planet. The Dinosaur Musical marks the return of Joshua Lamon (A Year with Frog and Toad, Sideways Stories from Wayside School, Sweeney Todd ), Barrymore Award-winner for his role as Snail in A Year with Frog and Toad, and Barrymore Award nominee Ben Dibble (A Year with Frog and Toad, Sideways Stories from Wayside School, Sweeney Todd ) ,Toad in A Year with Frog and Toad. Filled with rip-roaring fun, The Dinosaur Musical is the don’t miss event this holiday season. All performances will be followed by a post-show discussion and an opportunity for children to meet the cast.

The Arden For All program provides access to The Dinosaur Musical to all children regardless of socio-economic background or disability. Arden For All performances for the Philadelphia Department of Recreation are scheduled on January 5 at 5:30 p.m. and January 12 at 5:30 p.m. All children attending Arden For All performances will receive a complimentary book. Arden For All performances of The Dinosaur Musical are sponsored in part by Lincoln Financial Group Foundation, Target and Nordstrom.

The Arden's literacy initiative, Reading Takes Center Stage, promotes a love of reading in young people. The Arden distributes free copies of show-related books to disadvantaged children, holds an annual book drive benefiting Philadelphia Reads, and hosts the Philadelphia Eagles bookmobile at special after-school performances for the Department of Recreation.

The Arden hosts Girl Scout Day on December 10, 2005. Girl Scouts will complete an Arden patch workshop before seeing the noon performance.

Kids eight and older and their adult chaperones are invited to join the Family Usher Network (FUN). FUN takes place during weekend performances of The Dinosaur Musical and gives kids a behind-the-scenes peek at how plays are created, instills the value of community involvement and teaches valuable social skills. FUN ushers receive an exclusive backstage tour, hand out programs, tear tickets, seat patrons and help straighten up the theatre after the show.

The Dinosaur Musical previews begin on Wednesday, November 30; opens Sunday December 4; and runs through Sunday, January 22, 2006. Tickets, currently on sale, range from $14 to $30 (children 12 and under $14-$16; teens $18-$22; adults $26-$30) and may be purchased by calling the Arden Box Office at 215.922.1122 or ordered online at www.ardentheatre.org. Discounted group rates are also available. The Arden is fully accessible to all persons with disabilities, including wheelchair accessibility, assisted listening devices and large-print programs. Accessible seating is available by reservation. For more information call the Arden at 215.922.1122, log on to www.ardentheatre.org or visit the box office at 40 N. 2nd Street in Philadelphia.

WHERE:
F. Otto Haas Stage
Arden Theatre Company
40 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia

WHEN:
November 30, 2005 - January 22, 2006

REVIEWING PRESS: Will receive invitations to the opening night performance on Sunday, December 4, at 5 p.m. and the pre-show celebration which begins at 3:30 p.m.

Other members of the press: May reserve seats during the first week of the run (Dec 12 - Dec 19) by scheduling tickets through the Director of Community Relations at 215.922.8900 x49 or jcalter@ardentheatre.org.

WHO:
Music by Robert Reale
Book and Lyrics by Willie Reale
Directed by Whit MacLaughlin
Orchestrations by Irwin Fisch
Musical Direction by Charles Gilbert
Scenic Design by Nick Embree
Costume Design by Richard St. Clair
Lighting Design by Thomas C. Hase
Sound Design by Jorge Cousineau
Stage Management by John David Flak

Cast
Ben Dibble as Reginald Van Cleef
Leah Goldstein as Eleanor
Joshua Lamon as Quincy
Jillian Louis as Genevieve/Gertrude
Kelly McCreary as Mindy
Donna Migliaccio as Mama Lucredzia/Mrs. Gapp
Robyne Parrish as Carlotta Devries
Chris Sapienza as Swifty Lavine/King Marcus
Peter Schmitz as Armando/Mr. Glut

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