Henry and Mudge Share Adventures in TheatreworksUSA Musical on January 21
January 8, 2007
Cynthia Rylant's best-selling series of children's books about a lonesome boy and his behemoth dog serves as inspiration for Henry and Mudge, the newest musical produced and performed by New York City's TheatreworksUSA. The show makes its State College debut at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21, in Eisenhower Auditorium.
Henry, who has moved from the city to a home in the country, can't find a two-legged playmate. Fortunately, he has Mudge, a slobbery canine companion with whom he explores his new surroundings and shares adventures.
Tickets for the Center for the Performing Arts presentation are $15 for an adult, $10 for a University Park student and $10 for a person 18 and younger. For tickets and information, visit www.cpa.psu.edu or phone (814) 863-0255. Outside the local calling area, dial 1-800-ARTS-TIX. Tickets are also available at Eisenhower Auditorium and Bryce Jordan Center, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays; Penn State Tickets Downtown, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday; and HUB-Robeson Center, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. resuming Jan. 16.
From Henry's futile efforts to train his 180-pound shadow to entering a snowman-building contest, the two best buddies are inseparable. Enter their imaginary world, in which they play as super spies or pretend to be on a war rescue mission. Sometimes, though, they just savor the warmth of a summer afternoon.
As in many friendships, Henry sometimes takes Mudge for granted. So when Mudge accidentally wanders away from home, Henry realizes how much his dog means to him. That's when Henry must brave the dark forest in an attempt to find his friend.
Kait Kerrigan (book and lyrics) and Brian Lowdermilk (music and lyrics) make their TheatreworksUSA debuts with Henry and Mudge, which premiered in 2006 Off-Broadway at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. Their work was showcased at the 2005 New York Musical Theater Festival, for which they were co-commissioned by the Upright Citizen's Brigade and the festival to write Wrong Number. Kerrigan and Lowdermilk have also collaborated on The Unauthorized Autobiography of Samantha Brown and The Woman Upstairs.
New York City's TheatreworksUSA, a frequent visitor to Nittany Valley, celebrates its 45th year of presenting theater for children and families. One of America's largest not-for-profit professional theaters for young and family audiences, TheatreworksUSA has performed for a combined 80 million people since its inception. TheatreworksUSA is the only children's theater company to have garnered both Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel awards.
McQuaide Blasko Attorneys at Law sponsors the performance. Froggy radio is the media sponsor. Kidz Connections, which begins in Eisenhower Auditorium one hour before the show and is open to ticket holders, includes activities for the littlest audience members. Children can play a "Pin the bone in Mudge's mouth" game, draw a favorite pet, and get a photo taken with a Henry and Mudge background. A snack and juice are provided.
Contact: Laura Sullivan, 814-863-6379