This Land Is Your Land: The Songs and Writings of Woody Guthrie will be seen 8 PM Dec. 9 at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre at Peter Norton Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street.

The new work is adapted by David Lutken from Millard Lampell's "California to the New York Island," and performed by Lutken, James Stein Jr., and Darcie Deaville.  All three starred in MPTC's Woody Guthrie's American Song.

The 50-minute musical biography, to be previewed at the benefit, is intended for performance for New York City middle school students, but may be adapted to suit any group, from kindergarten to college level.

This Land Is Your Land "focuses on American cultural history of the 1920s-1940s, from the state of Oklahoma, where Woody spent his boyhood, through the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, F.D.R.'s New Deal and WPA, to World War II.  The show follows Woody from California to New York and beyond.  It captures the personal narrative of a man who spoke for many who had no public voice."

The benefit is followed by a dessert reception.  Proceeds from the evening will enable MPTC to bring the show to students this season and support MPTC's other educational outreach programs, Let's Hear It! and Heads Up. Melting Pot's mission? It "creates, develops, and produces New York premieres of plays and musicals that explore the themes, people, and events that shape the unique American experience. MPTC presents culturally diverse theatre that is emotionally stirring, thought-provoking, and reflects our country's population."

Since 1997, MPTC has presented 14 Off-Broadway shows, including Cookin' at the Cookery: The Music & Times of Alberta Hunter, Miss Evers' Boys, The Devil's Music: The Life & Blues of Bessie Smith, Cobb and Woody Guthrie's American Song.

For tickets to This Land is Your Land or more information, call (212) 330-7211 or visit the Symphony Space Box Office. Visit www.meltingpottheatre.com.