In conjunction with TheatreWorks/USA, collaborators Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx will be performing several of their original songs based on popular children's books.
Lopez and Marx' workshop on "theatricalizing" children's literature comprises their songs, which are based on such books as "Borreguita and the Coyote" by Verna Aardema, "Imogene's Antlers" by David Small and "Ferdinand the Bull," based on "The Story of Ferdinand" by Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson. A question and answer period will follow the performances.
Among numerous other credits, Lopez and Marx received the 2000 Ed Kleban Award for Most Promising Lyricists for their score for "Kermit, Prince of Denmark," a Muppet Movie.
Kids patronizing the Children's Museum of Manhattan, which is located on the Upper West Side, this summer are being treated to live performances from some of New York's biggest musicals. Broadway Theatre Thursdays is open to kids of all ages, including younger siblings who just came to watch.
As reported earlier, Children's Museum executive and spokesperson Constance Charity said the museum program has been well received. "We also have our word play exhibit," Charity told Playbill On-Line, "which is the first of its kind in the city for kids, from infants to 4 years of age." Charity said the program employs "word language nourishment, word acquisition and baby babble" in an exploration of kids and their language techniques. "These are activities you can do at home and embellish on," Charity said, "and we hope to show parents how it's okay to talk directly to kids, and to make eye contact with them." The series has been funded with support from Target Stores. Following each appearance, the shows' performers take questions from the audience and participate in workshops for the children.
Following is a current schedule of year remaining "Theatre Thursdays."
Aug. 24: TheatreWorks USA
Aug. 31: TBA
Each event will take place at 2 PM and 2:30 PM at the museum, which is located at 212 W. 83 St. Call (212) 721-1234 for more information. The CMOM website is located at www.cmom.org.
-- By Murdoch McBride
