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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Marc S. Goldberg, 215-659-8550

STORYBOOK MUSICAL THEATRE PRESENTS ITS 20th ANNIVERSARY SEASON OF THREE BELOVED MUSICALS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

Storybook Musical Theatre, one of the Philadelphia area’s premiere children’s theater companies and the winner of Nickelodeon’s 2010 Parents Pick Award for Best Theater for Kids in the Philadelphia area, will present its 20th Anniversary season of three original musicals.  The musicals are based on stories from the Grimm Brothers, Tales of the Arabian Nights and L. Frank Baum.  These beloved fairy tales have running themes involving friendship, family and courage.  The Abington based, non-profit, professional, Equity children’s theatre will present performances at two locations in the Philadelphia area.

Storybook’s season opener is “Hansel and Gretel.” This original adaptation by Patricia Goldberg, Storybook’s Artistic Director, is based on the classic tale by the Grimm Brothers.  Kevin Arruda composed its original music.  “Hansel and Gretel” will be performed from December 19 to 30, 2011 at the Mitchell Performing Arts Center, 800 Tomlinson Road, Bryn Athyn, PA. (Huntingdon Valley).  “Hansel and Gretel” then concludes its run from January 10 to 14, 2012 at the Bluett Theater at St. Joseph’s University, 54th & Overbrook Av, in Philadelphia.  The musical tells the story of a brother and sister, who become lost in the woods while trying to pick berries for their family.  They stumble upon a house made of gingerbread that is occupied by a witch, who would just love to have them for dinner.

The second show involves another courageous character, Aladdin.  “Aladdin,” a musical based on a story from the Tale of the Arabian Nights, will be presented February 28 to March 11, 2012 at the Mitchell Performing Arts Center in Bryn Athyn, PA.  The book is also by Patricia Goldberg, with music by Kevin Arruda.  The story tells of a poor urchin boy who leaves home to seek his fortune and discovers an enchanted lamp complete with an accompanying genie, who will grant him three wishes.  But an evil magician has other ideas regarding both Aladdin and his magic lamp.

The final offering of the season will be the beloved story of  “The Wizard of Oz,” based on the book by L. Frank Baum.  This is one of Storybook’s most popular musicals and tells of a young girl on her quest to find a way home from a magical land.  This musical is also by the writing team of Goldberg and Arruda.  “The Wizard of Oz” first plays from May 1 to 5, 2012 at St. Joseph University’s Bluett Theater, then from May 29 to June 3 at the Mitchell Performing Arts Center.  It concludes with a summertime run at the Mitchell Center from July 24 to August 4, 2012.  This well-known tale follows Dorothy as she is swept up on quite an adventure that not only takes her down the yellow brick road, where she makes friends with a Scarecrow, Tinman and Lion, but includes encounters with a not so friendly Wicked Witch, who has her eyes on Dorothy’s fancy, ruby footwear.

Individual tickets for all Storybook shows are $11.00 for children and $14.00 for adults. School and group discounts of up to 30% are available, as is a reduced rate 3-show subscription plan.  Show times vary with each production.  All Storybook shows are appropriate for ages 3 and older, and everyone gets to meet the cast for a handshake, photo, or autograph after every performance.  For information, to obtain a seasonal brochure, or book a group or school trip, call Storybook Musical Theatre at 215-659-8550 or visit its web site at: www.storybookmusical.org.

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Storybook’s mission is the cultural enrichment and education of children (as young as the age of 3) and their families by introducing them to original musical adaptations based of fairy tales, folklore and children’s literature.  It hopes to stimulate young imaginations and help develop a life-long appreciation of theater by developing the theater-going audiences of the future.