Theatre Iv's 2009 - 2010 Brochure For Arts Presenters

TOURING

SEASON 2009-2010

set the stage for

together, we set the stage for

Patchwork – The Little House Life of Laura Ingalls Wilder By Bruce Craig Miller

Theatre IV is a nonprofit, professional theatre Since 1975, Theatre IV has been dedicated to the creation of professional, exciting and innovative theatrical productions for young audiences.

Building Tomorrow’s Audiences Today Theatre IV will help you bring young audiences to your venue. The young audiences of today are the patrons of tomorrow. They help build a stable future while bringing in much needed revenue today. Get the youth of your community used to coming to your venue. You will instill in them a lifelong habit of participating in the arts.

Create or Enhance Your Series for Young Audiences Our plays are diverse and will be the cornerstone of your Young Audience Series. From The Jungle Book to Harriet Tubman, from The Boy Who Cried Wolf to A Christmas Carol to Buffalo Soldier, we can provide just what your audiences need.

Education at the Heart of the Art Our plays are entertaining while introducing the audience to the books, people, and events being studied in schools. This is a natural extension of their educational experience. We provide on-line study guides that teachers can access themselves saving you time and money.

Give Them a Memory for a Lifetime Field trips are special in the life of a child. Give your community the gift of live theatre and an experience they will never forget.

Invite your Local, State and National Politicians Show off all you do for your community by inviting your elected representatives to our shows. They are important links to government funding sources. Let them know that the arts are vital to the community and the nation and are a key component of educating all our children. All titles and tours in this brochure are subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Please visit www.TheatreIV.org

Laura Ingalls Wilder’s tales of outdoor adventure and pioneer spirit will inspire your students as they have millions of boys and girls for over 70 years. Born in 1867, Laura traveled across America’s rolling plains in the back of a covered wagon. The Wilders created patchwork quilts that would later help inspire her time-honored books. Laura’s quilts still exist today, and their patterns recall her beloved family – her strong and caring Pa, her heroic sister Mary, her warm-hearted Ma – and their adventures as they crossed the wild and often perilous frontier. Join the Ingalls in this adventure (authorized by the Laura Ingalls Estate) as they face the hardships and the triumphs of the wondrous new land, with sometimes only their faith and the love of family to sustain them. (K – 5) Family Ties, Self Esteem, Language Arts, History, Biography, Women’s Studies

January – May 2010

The Jungle Book Book and lyrics by Scott Wichmann; Music by Julie Fulcher Adapted from the Book by Rudyard Kipling Join young Mowgli as he learns the ‘Laws’ of the jungle in this time-honored adventure. With the help of friends like the black panther, Bagheera, and Baloo the lovable bear, Mowgli learns about friendship and survival. Cheer as Mowgli faces his fear and foils his nemesis the tiger Shere Khan. This musical version of Rudyard Kipling’s classic will delight both the young and the young at heart. (K – 5) Art, Language Arts, Literary Classic, Reading, Science, History, Music, Character Development

October – November 2009

Theatre IV is a real asset to our arts and education program. The plays are exciting and excellent quality at an affordable price. Warren County Arts Commission, Bowling Green, KY

Well, Theatre IV did it again! Wonderful, funny, sensiSnow White and the tive, and informative production – what a joy to watch Seven Dwarfs and learn from great enthusiastic, energetic, and friendly

Buffalo Soldier Book, Music and Lyrics by Bruce Craig Miller

Based on the folk tale as recorded by the Brothers Grimm

performers. Thank you for returning to Wesleyan College.

Book by Bruce Craig Miller and Ford Flannagan

Selected as one of the Best American Plays for Young Audiences!

Campus Coordinator, Wesleyan College, Macon, GA Lyrics~ by Bruce Events Craig Miller Music by Ron Barnett

This musical adaptation of the classic Grimm’s fairy tale features a script with lovable characters portrayed by an ensemble of live actors and wonderful puppets. Follow along as Snow White meets her pint-sized friends, takes the apple from the Evil Queen, receives a kiss from the Prince, and lives happily ever after. This faithful rendition of the fairy tale will inspire young audiences to read the original. (K – 5) Folk Tales, Music, Literary Classic, Language Arts, Reading, History

September – November 2009

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Book, Music and Lyrics by Paul Deiss Join Ichabod Crane, Brom Bones, the lovely Katrina Van Tassel, the residents of Tarry Town and oh yes, the Headless Horseman, as they live the story made famous by the legend. This autumnal classic is faithful to the original story written by Washington Irving in 1819 and will thrill and perhaps chill (but not too scary) your audiences. No fall is complete without the telling of stories and our retelling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is one story you won’t want to miss. (K – 5) Folk Tales, Language, Literary Classic, Reading, History

September – November 2009

The True Story of Pocahontas By Peter Howard Pocahontas is a name known to every school-age child and yet her true story is shrouded in myth. With an emphasis on historical fact, Pocahontas is revealed as a playful, strong-minded young girl who changes her world before she will change her beliefs or herself. Following Pocahontas as she grows from a girl who helps the Jamestown colonists survive, to the young woman, wife, and mother who carries her message of peace and mutual cooperation across the Atlantic to the mighty King of England. Join Pocahontas on her amazing journey and see how courage and determination can change the world. (K – 5) Language, Multi-Cultural, History, Biography, Women’s Studies

September – November 2009

Based on the true story of our nation’s longest-surviving Buffalo Soldier and veteran of the Spanish-American War, this dramatic play with music tells the heroic story of the brave soldiers of the 9th and 10th Cavalries, who served our country well with little of the recognition they deserved. In 1996, Buffalo Soldier was one of twelve plays selected as the Best American Plays for Young Audiences and has been performed at the Pentagon in honor of African American History Month. Buffalo Soldier was written by our artistic director, Bruce Craig Miller, and developed with support from Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest New Works for Young Audiences, a program of the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Fund. (3 – Adult) Biography, Family Ties, History, Multi-Cultural, Music

January – March 2010

Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad Book and Lyrics by Douglas Jones Music by Ron Barnett Co-produced by the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia This stirring drama with music is a classic tribute to the great American who freed herself and hundreds of her people from the bonds of slavery. Her courage helped to change the world. Share her adventurous life, the joys, sorrows, and challenges faced by this brave woman, with your students in this accurate and deeply moving musical history lesson. (3 – 12) Family Ties, History, Language, Biography, Multi-Cultural, Music, Self Esteem, Women’s Studies,

January – March 2010

Theatre IV brings us beautifully scripted, designed and performed shows. This is top of the line quality. National Theatre, Washington, DC

The Velveteen Rabbit Book, Music and Lyrics by Thomas Hammond “What is Real? When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.” The power of play and childhood fancy, the pure light of unconditional love –these timeless forces illuminate our faithful rendering of Margery Williams’ tale of friendship and the passing of time. A lovely score and detailed period costumes will transport your audience back to the beginning of the last century. There they will experience a particular innocence and wisdom that have much to say to our present culture of instant gratification and disposable friends. (K – 5) Folk Tales, Music, Literary Classic, Language Arts, Reading, History

A great success, both in quality and educational value of the performance and the entertainment provided for the students…generating much creative imagination. Fine Arts Coordinator, Charlottesville Public Schools, Charlottesville, VA

The Boy Who Cried Wolf Book and Lyrics By Scott Wichmann, Music By Julie Fulcher

January – May 2010

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

Join us on this musical retelling of this timeless tale. Follow along with our “Boy” as he learns a life lesson of telling the truth and finding out that there are consequences of “Crying Wolf.” (K – 5) Art, Family Ties, Language Arts, Literary Classic, Music, Reading, Character Development

January – May 2010

Book, Music and Lyrics by Bruce Craig Miller Based on the timeless picture books by Bernard Waber, Theatre IV’s production of this crowd-pleasing musical has been taking the country by storm for many years. Join young Josh Primm as he moves to New York City and share magical adventures with his loving parents, his stage-struck nemesis Hector P. Valenti, his rambunctious new friends, his persnickety neighbor Mr. Grumps, and his misfit (but oh so special) reptilian pet – Lyle! (K – 5) Art, Family Ties, Language Arts, Literary Classic, Music, Reading, Character Development

January – May 2010

Well, Theatre IV did it again! Wonderful, funny, sensitive, and informative production – what a joy to watch and learn from great enthusiastic, energetic, and friendly performers. ~ Campus Events Coordinator, Wesleyan College, Macon, GA

Enjoy these Holiday Classics!

A Christmas Carol By Charles Dickens. Adapted by Steve Perigard Perhaps the best loved holiday story of all time, our adaptation of Dickens’ classic is particularly suited to children, and features a magnificent score by Jule Styne, the composer of Broadway’s immortal Peter Pan, Gypsy and Funny Girl. All the joy, sentiment and meaning are here, without being too scary for young audiences. (K – 5) Family Ties, Language, Literary Classic, Music, Reading

Late November and December 2009

Theatre IV combines professional craftsmanship with delightful enthusiasm and the result is superb production value.

Also with limited availability...

The Children’s Museum, Indianapolis, Indiana

“I Have a Dream”— The Life and Times of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Shoemaker and the Christmas Elves Book, Music and Lyrics by Paul Deiss A heartwarming, holiday musical! Join us as Theatre IV takes a yuletide spin on the classic Brothers’ Grimm fairy tale. Does Santa send toy-making elves to the Shoemaker’s shoe shop by mistake? Delight in the magical story of a poor Shoemaker and the magical elves who show him the true meaning of Christmas! (K – 5) Family Ties, Folk Tales, Music, Reading, Self-Esteem, Tales from Other Lands

Late November and December 2009

By Bruce Craig Miller The phenomenal impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is chronicled in this compelling dramatization of the life and times of one of the most influential and charismatic leaders of the “American Century.” Inspired by the arrest of Rosa Parks, Dr. King becomes the prime mover behind the Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott, putting his philosophy of non-violent protest to work. He gains national recognition and becomes the dominant force in the Civil Rights Movement during its decade of greatest achievement. Your students will be inspired by the story of this great leader’s struggle and his dream of lifting “our nation from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.” (3 – Adult) Biography, Language Arts, History, Multi-Cultural, Public Speaking, Reading, Self-Esteem, Character Development

March – May 2010

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Book, Music and Lyrics by Bruce Craig Miller Inspired by the timeless poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” and by the real life of its author, Clement Moore, this hilarious musical introduces Santa in a particularly beneficent light. This classic from Theatre IV has been charming audiences nationwide for many years. (K – 5) Family Ties, Folk Tales, Language, Literary Classic, Music, Reading

Late November and December 2009

Ben Franklin and his Kite by Scott Wichmann Take an “enlightening” journey into the experiment that changed the course of history! Over 250 years ago, (in June of 1752, to be precise), Ben Franklin “shocked” the world with his discovery that lightning held electricity - and thus rendered scientists “thunderstruck”!  This entertaining and educational play brings the history and science curriculum to life. (K – 5) Biography, History, Government, Language Arts, Science     

September – November 2009

I am continually impressed by the skill and artistry of their performances. Smithsonian Institution

supporters. a million thanks to our

Theatre IV is a nonprofit 501(c)3 charitable organization. We are grateful for the generous philanthropic support of our institutional contributors:

Arts and Cultural Funding Consortium ArtsFund Bank of America Barrett Capital Management, LLC Business Consortium for Arts Support Camp Family Foundations Car Pool Auto Wash LLC CarMax Foundation Commonwealth of Virginia CSX Corporation Dominion E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation Elis Olsson Memorial Foundation Ferguson Enterprises Gay & Erskine Love Foundation George J. Effie L. Seay Foundation Harrison Family Foundation Hunton & Williams J. Read Jr. & Janet Dennis Branch Fund of The Community Foundation JetBlue Kathryn & W. Harry Schwarzschild Fund Keystone Builders Resource Group Kraft Foods, Inc. Land America Financial Group, Inc. Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, Inc. Macaulay & Burtch, PC McCandlish Holton McGeorge Car Co. McGuire Woods LLP Midlothian Rotary Club, Inc. Newport News Arts Commission

Niamtu, Alexander, Keeney, Harris & Associates Nordstrom Obici Healthcare Foundation Philip Morris USA PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP Printpack Inc. Property Investment Advisors R.E.B. Foundation Richmond Rotary Club Robins Foundation Ruth Camp Campbell Foundation Swedish Match North America, Inc. The Cameron Foundation The Community Foundation, Serving Richmond & Central Virginia The Rosenthal Foundation The William B. Thalhimer, Jr. & Family Foundation Tuckahoe Women’s Club Ukrop’s Foundation Ukrop’s Super Markets, Inc. & First Market Bank Union Bank & Trust Universal Leaf Foundation Virginia Commission for the Arts Wachovia Foundation Wal-Mart Weinstein Properties Williams, Mullen, Clarke & Dobbins Williamsburg Area Arts Commission York County Arts Commission

Committed to sponsor service... •

We offer discounts for Multiple Bookings and Block Bookers if within 150 miles, which may include waiving the gasoline surcharge.

•

We offer outstanding professional productions of entertaining plays and musicals carefully connected to the national core curriculum

•

Sound system updates that are compatible with your house systems or as stand alones.

•

On Line Support materials including pictures and study guides at www.TheatreIV.org

•

Information support through our toll free number 800-235-8687 and web site: www.TheatreIV.org

•

Question and Answer sessions between our cast and your audience

•

Meet and Greet the Cast – At your request

•

Our plays have a running time of 45 – 60 minutes

•

We work hard to make our productions easy to book and easy on your staff.

•

Load-In just two hours before 1st scheduled performance

•

Breakdown in just 1 hour or less

•

Minimal Tech Requirements

Call Us Today! We look forward to bringing our value packed productions

Save Money Ask Us About Block Booking

to your venue. Call Eric Williams today 235-8687 or email at Visit at us(800) online at www.TheatreIV.org [email protected] or call Eric Williams at (800) 235-8687

set the stage for

2009-2010

SEASON

TOURING

www.TheatreIV.org

114 West Broad Street • Richmond VA 23220

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 229 Richmond, VA