Norman and Brown's Trumpet of the Swan to Feature Bates, Kennedy, Thomas and Willard

By Andrew Gans
November 13, 2008

The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will present a limited engagement of The Trumpet of the Swan: A Novel Symphony Dec. 4-6 in the Eisenhower Theater.

Part of the Kennedy Center's season-long initiative Broadway: The Third Generation, the world-premiere production is based on E.B. White's novel, which has been adapted for the stage by Pulitzer Prize winner Marsha Norman with music by Tony winner Jason Robert Brown.

The Color Purple's Gary Griffin directs Trumpet of the Swan, which will feature a starry cast led by Kathy Bates, Zayd Dohrn, Edward Gero, Lauren Kennedy, Peggity Price, Richard Thomas and Fred Willard with trumpet player Chris Venditti as Louis. The production also boasts a 35-piece orchestra conducted by Brown.

The Trumpet of the Swan: A Novel Symphony, according to press notes, "tells the story of Louis, a young trumpeter swan who is born without a voice. But his human friend Sam takes him to school to learn to read, and his father finds him a trumpet to serve as his voice, so Louie sets off in search of adventure and love."

The theatrical adaptation is recommended for audiences ages seven and up.

Tickets, priced $18-$35, are available by calling (202) 467-4600 or (800) 444-1324. For more information visit www.kennedy-center.org.