PLAYS FOR 2008 - 2009

**Please read the guidelines at the end.** 
**Reservation information at the end.**
**Seats are limited – send payment in early**
**Times and location are subject to change – PLEASE provide contact information when making reservations.**

NEW THIS YEAR:  Study guides are available through email for the following plays:
If you want the study guide emailed to you - please note that when making your reservations.

Seussical
Best Christmas Pageant  Ever
The Lion, the Witch and the  Wardrobe
Freedom  Train
Alexander's Terrible Day

WHEN:  November 3, 2008
TIME:    10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Memorial Auditorium
COST:    $6.00 per seat

 MONEY DEADLINE:  October 3, 2008

 Seussical
Music by: Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by: Lynn Ahrens

Based on the works of Dr. Seuss

Oh, the thinks you can think" when Dr. Seuss's best-loved stories collide and cavort in an unforgettable musical caper!  Seussical is Theatreworks USA's biggest show ever! The Cat in the Hat is the host and emcee (and all-around mischief-maker) in this romp through the Seuss classics. When the sweet, good-natured elephant Horton hears a small cry for help coming from a small speck of dust, he promises to rescue and guard it because "a person's a person, no matter how small." On that small speck of dust lives JoJo, an imaginative young Who. JoJo has astounding "thinks," in which anything's possible, but his parents believe this creativity is inappropriate for the son of the Mayor of Who-Ville. Meanwhile, the one-feathered bird, Miss Gertrude McFuzz, desperately wants Horton to notice her. Maybe, she thinks, she just needs a more impressive tail. At the same time, the amazingly lazy Mayzie La Bird connives, cajoles and convinces Horton to sit on her egg while she goes off on a spree. Will the planet of Who survive? Will Horton pay attention to Gertrude? Will Maysie ever return for her egg? Dr. Seuss's beloved classic characters find themselves intertwined in an incredible crazy-quilt adventure, in which the power of imagination and the most miraculous "think" ever saves the day!

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

WHEN:    December 18, 2008
TIME:     10:00 a.m.
WHERE:  Memorial Auditorium
COST:     $6.00 per seat

 MONEY DEADLINE:  November 18, 2008

 The Best Christmas Pageant Ever has been a favorite of young readers the world over since 1972. Funny, memorable, and outrageous, it is the story of a family of incorrigible children who get involved in the annual Christmas pageant for the first time.

WHEN:     Friday, February 6, 2009
TIME:       10:00 a.m.
WHERE:  Memorial Auditorium
COST:      $4.00 per seat

MONEY DEADLINE:  January 6, 2009

AEC is pleased to announce the return of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, a thrilling musical adaptation of the enchanting book by C.S. Lewis.

Back by popular demand, this production brings to life the tale of four children of war-torn England, who accidentally enter the land of Narnia by climbing through a magic wardrobe. This strange and wondrous place is ruled by the cold-hearted White Witch, who makes the winter last year round. Although they seem unlikely saviors, the children fulfill an ancient prophecy by defeating the witch, thus restoring sunshine and peace to the spell-bound Narnia and returning the great Lion King Aslan to his throne.

Freedom Train

WHEN:   February 12, 2009
|TIME:     10:00 a.m.
WHERE:  Memorial Auditorium
COST:     $6.00 per seat

 MONEY DEADLINE:   SOLD OUT

Harriet Tubman was born a slave, but when she was 25 she made her perilous escape from a Maryland plantation, leaving her family behind. Pursued by dogs and relentless slave catchers, she followed and escape route laid out by Quakers - secret hiding places in churches, barns, cellars and homes.

The escape route that Harriet followed soon became known as the Underground Railroad, and she quickly became one of its most celebrated 'conductors.' Up creek beds, through swamps, over hills in the dark of night, on 19 secret trips Harriet Tubman guided more than 300 slaves, including her aged parents, to freedom. "I never run my train off the track," she said, "and never lost a passenger."

Freedom Train tells the thrilling story of Harriet Tubman, the Moses of her people, in a fascinating series of highly theatrical scenes that use dance, dialogue, and music of the period. Songs include "Follow the Drinking Gourd," "Steal Away," "Wade in the Water," "Good News, the Chariot's A-comin'," and many others still sung today. Freedom Train is the story of self-sacrifice, dedication and survival, laced with warmth and a sense of humor that celebrates the human spirit - a universal story for all.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

WHEN:   March 31, 2009
TIME:    10:00 a.m.
WHERE:  Memorial Auditorium
COST:    $6.00 per seat

MONEY DEADLINE:  February 28, 2009 

Laugh and sing along as Alexander wakes up with gum in his hair, trips on a skateboard, and accidentally drops his sweater in the sink — all before breakfast!   And it got worse...His best friend deserted him and there was no dessert in his lunch bag!   And on top of all that, there were lima beans for dinner!

MADELINE AND THE BAD HAT

WHEN:    Wednesday, April 29, 2009
TIME:       10:00 AM
WHERE:  Tivoli Theatre
COST:     $4.00 per person

MONEY DEADLINE:  March 29,2009

Grades  PreK-3

Madeline and  the Bad Hat, an original musical based upon the much-loved book, captures  the blithe yet touching spirit of Ludwig Bemelmans's Madeline series.  It traces the adventures of a young Parisian girl who - despite starting off on  the wrong foot with a mischievous new neighbor - eventually learns that first  impressions aren't everything.

When one fine day the  Spanish Ambassador moves into the house next door, Madeline and Miss Clavel and  the other girls quickly discover that his son Pepito is a true horror! Rude and  conceited, Pepito seems at first to be nothing but trouble.

But when he unexpectedly finds  himself in real danger, it's up to the resourceful Madeline to get him out of  it. Can she teach Pepito a lesson into the bargain, and does he have a hidden  good side after all? This gently amusing tale of enemies-become-friends will  charm and entertain children and parents alike.

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GUIDELINES FOR PLAY ATTENDANCE:

1.  Please note deadlines for payment. These are FIRM deadlines.

2.  NO individual tickets will be sent.  Seating is LIMITED, so reserve your seats early. Payment is the ONLY way to reserve your seats.

3.  One check may be sent for ALL plays. Please include a phone number where you can be
reached.  Sometimes changes are made and I need a way to contact you.

4.  If for some reason you cannot attend a play for which you have paid, notify me ASAP.  I will NOT be able to refund your money but there might be a waiting list.

5.   Lapsitters are free at the Tivoli Theatre. Children ages 2 and up MUST purchase a seat at the Memorial Auditorium. THIS IS A CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS YEARS. Parents must purchase tickets at both places.

6. All registration for the plays must be made with me.  DO NOT CALL THE THEATER. They do not have information regarding the school performances. The plays are handled by other companies. DO NOT CALL THE PRODUCTION COMPANIES. To do so will jeopardize our groups future participation in plays.  If you have questions, please contact me and I'll try to help you.

7.  Please send your name, address, phone number , email address (only if you check it regularly), number of seats you are purchasing and name of the play(s).  One check can be written for all plays - - - just be sure to tell me which plays and how many seats. EMAIL FOR MAILING ADDRESS - email@bche.org.

8.  Please arrive in PLENTY of time to find parking. Parking is not always available close to the theater. If you cannot find parking, free seats will NOT be issued for another play.