Skippyjon Jones

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Show Publicist: Shaunda Miles, Director of Public Relations, 412-471-1578/Miles@TrustArts.org      
Other Contact: Diana Roth, Communications Manager, 412-471-8717/Roth@TrustArts.org
Images available: TrustArts.org/press
Search: 2014 Skippyjon

PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRUST ANNOUNCES

PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S THEATER

PRESENTS

THEATREWORKS USA IN

SKIPPYJON JONES

OCTOBER 19 ̶ 26, 2014 | SIX PERFORMANCE LOCATIONS IN PITTSBURGH!
Pittsburgh, PA ̶   Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater, a division of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, presents Theatreworks USA’s Skippyjon Jones from October 19 ̶ 26, 2014, at six performance locations throughout the area.  Tickets go on sale September 8th at 9:00am.

“A popular book brought to life on stage opens our season and we are excited to host this award-winning theater company so that children and families throughout the region can experience live professional performances in their neighborhood,” commented Pamela K. Lieberman, Manager of Children’s Programming from the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and Executive Director of Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater.

Citizens Bank is the 2014-2015 season sponsor of Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater.
Theatreworks USA’s Skippyjon Jones, based on the book of same title by Judy Schachner, is an enchanting musical for younger audiences that tells a story about unleashing your powerful imagination and following your dreams.  Devanand Janki is the director and choreographer for this current tour.  The scenery is designed by Rob Odorisio, with costumes by Tracy Christensen and features a libretto and lyrics by Kevin Del Aguila (Drama Desk nominee for ALTAR BOYZ and Theatreworks USA’s Click, Clack, Moo!).  Theatreworks USA’s Skippyjon Jones was nominated for a 2013 Lucille Lortel Award in the Outstanding Musical category.  This 60-minute musical is recommended for ages 4 and up.

Photo Credit:  Jeremy Daniel

Skippyjon Jones tells the tale of a Siamese cat with big dreams and an even bigger will to be anything but a cat! “Holy guacamole,” Skippyjon exclaims. “My ears are too big for my head, my head is too big for my body. I am not a Siamese cat – I am a CHIHUAHUA!” Take an adventurous ride as Skippyjon Jones struggles to find himself and is faced with one of the biggest decision of his life; will he help save his “fellow” Chihuahua’s or will he soon realize that he may be the wimpy little Siamese cat that he’s been hiding from.

To view a sample of this stage production, visit: http://www.theatreworksusa.org/show_detail.cfm?show=1546

Individual tickets ($11 at the door; $9.50 in advance) can be ordered online at www.TrustArts.org/kids, by calling 412-456-6666, or in person at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue. Group tickets can be ordered by calling 412-471-6930.  Subscriptions and Flex Ticket Packages to the Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater series are available by calling 412-456-1390.

Illustration from Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachter. ©Theatreworks USA.

Performance Locations

City: Byham Theater | Sunday, October 19 | 2:00 p.m.
Students only matinee | Byham Theater | Monday, October 20 | 10:15 a.m.
East: Penn Hills High School | Wednesday, October 22 | 7:00 p.m.
North: Marshall Middle School | Thursday, October 23 | 5:30 & 7:30 p.m.
West: Moon Area High School | Friday, October 24 | 7:00 p.m.
South: Upper St. Clair High School | Saturday, October 25 | 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.
Butler: Seneca Valley Intermediate High School | Sunday, October 26 | 2:00 p.m.

Theatreworks USA
Theatreworks USA is America's largest not-for-profit theatre for young and family audiences. Since 1961, Theatreworks USA has engaged and educated over 85 million people in 49 states and Canada, now performing for about three million people annually.  Theatreworks USA has a reputation providing young audiences with their first theater experiences as well as providing young actors, writers, directors, and designers with experience and training within this field.

Read more about Theatreworks USA
Page to Stage: Turning Children's Books into Theater Productions, By Raven Snook | Publisher’s Weekly, April 5, 2013

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/56695-page-to-stage-turning-children-s-books-into-theater-productions.html

Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater
Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater, a division of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, opens the door for children to experience professional performing arts programming which inspires, challenges, educates, and stimulates respect for and an understanding of all cultures in an entertaining and enlightening way.  The Family Series, now in its 45th season, introduces children to the arts early in life sparking their interest and appreciation so they continue to enjoy and support the arts as they grow up.

The 2014 ̶ 2015 Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater series also includes:
Skink | November 16 ̶ 22, 2014 | Six locations
Big Nate (Season Special) | November 23 ̶ 24, 2014 | Byham Theater only
Click, Clack, Moo!  | January 11 ̶ 18, 2015 | Six locations
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse   | February 22 ̶ March 1, 2015 | Six locations
The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley | April 4 ̶ 10, 2015 | Byham Theater only
In addition to the Family Series, the Children’s Theater division presents the annual Pittsburgh International Children’s Festival, one of only four international children’s theater festivals in the nation.  Now in its 29th year, the Pittsburgh International Children’s Festival will take place May 13 ̶ 17, 2015.  For more information, visit www.TrustArts.org/kids.

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has overseen one of Pittsburgh’s most historic transformations: turning a seedy red-light district into a magnet destination for arts lovers, residents, visitors, and business owners. Founded in 1984, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit arts organization whose mission is the cultural and economic revitalization of a 14-block arts and entertainment/residential neighborhood called the Cultural District. The District is one of the country’s largest land masses “curated” by a single nonprofit arts organization. A major catalytic force in the city, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a unique model of how public-private partnerships can reinvent a city with authenticity, innovation and creativity. Using the arts as an economic catalyst, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has holistically created a world-renowned Cultural District that is revitalizing the city, improving the regional economy and enhancing Pittsburgh’s quality of life. Thanks to the support of foundations, corporations, government agencies and thousands of private citizens, the Trust stands as a national model of urban redevelopment through the arts. www.TrustArts.org
Follow us on Twitter @CulturalTrust, and like us on Facebook.
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Skippyjon Jones Premieres in Pittsburgh

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Today's date: November 5, 2011

Skippyjon Jones, performed by Theatreworks USA, and presented by Pittsburgh International Children's Theater

November 13 - 20, 2011, six performance locations -Pittsburgh surrounding area

Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, presents Theatreworks USA in the Pittsburgh premiere of Skippyjon Jones, November 13 - 20, 2011, at six performance locations throughout the area. Performance locations include: City: Byham Theater, November 13 at 2:00 p.m. & Student Matinee: November 14 at 10:15 a.m.; East: Gateway High School, November 16 at 7:00 p.m.; North: Marshall Middle School, November 17 at 5:30 & 7:30 p.m.; West: Moon Area High School, November 18 at 7:00 p.m.; South: Upper St. Claire High School, November 19 at 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.; and Butler: Seneca Valley Senior High School, November 20 at 2:00 p.m. Citizens Bank is the season sponsor of Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater, and Erie Insurance is the lead performance sponsor.



Based upon the best-selling children’s picture book by Judith Byron Schachner, Theatreworks USA’s Skippyjon Jones is a new musical about a Siamese kitten that just refuses to be an ordinary cat. This stage adaption features a libretto and lyrics by Kevin Del Aguila and a score by Eli Bolin. The show is directed by Peter Flynn and choreographed by Devanand Janki, with costumes by Tracy Christensen, and sets by Rob Odorisio. The musical staged adaption will feature characters from the book: Skippyjon Jones, Junebug (Skippyjon Jones’ mother), El Skippito Bandito (the greatest Chihuahua sword fighter in Mexico), Great Bumblebeeto (a giant bee who has stolen all of their beans), and Chihuahua friends Los Chimichangos. This 60 minute play is recommended for ages 3-10.



Since 1961, Theatreworks USA has enlightened, entertained, and instructed over 68 million people in 49 states and Canada. The company tours approximately 16 shows from its ever-growing repertoire of 110 plays and musicals, performing for about four million people annually. Under the direction of Barbara Pasternack (Artistic Director) and Ken Arthur (Managing Director), Theatreworks USA is the only children's theatre to receive both a Drama Desk and a Lucille Lortel Award, and they are known for an extensive multi-cultural guest artist roster, including storytellers, puppeteers, poets, and magicians.



Pennsylvania-native Judith Byron Schachner has been illustrating and writing children's books since 1992. Her stories have held a place among the The Center for Children’s Books Best Books of 1999, The Mockingbird Award Books, Young Hoosier Book Award K-3, and Washington Children's Choice Picture Book. In 2004, Schachner won the E. B. White Read Aloud Award for Skippyjon Jones, as well as the New Hampshire State Library’s 2005 Ladybug Picture Book Award, the 2005 Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award, and the 2006 Colorado Council International Reading Association (CCIRA) Colorado Children’s Book Award for a Picture Book. She currently lives in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania with her family, a dog, and two Siamese cats.



Individual tickets ($11 at the door; $9.50 in advance) can be ordered online at www.trustarts.org/KIDS, by calling (412) 456-6666, or in person at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue. Group tickets can be ordered by calling (412) 471-6930; and for season subscriptions call (412) 456-1390.
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