The Theatre of Youth (TOY) recently announced its 2016-17 lineup – and 45th season – with presenting sponsor Hamister Group, LLC.
“We are very excited to announce our new season of plays, carefully chosen to engage and challenge young audiences while entertaining them with theatre that is artistically exciting, innovative in form and style and relevant in content,” says Meg Quinn, TOY artistic director. “The new season is a mix of sentimental favorites and new stories.”
“We are delighted to be the presenting sponsor for Theatre of Youth’s 2016-2017 season,” says Hamister Group Chairman and CEO Mark E. Hamister. “With today’s fast-paced, high-tech world, it is more important than ever to engage young audiences in the appreciation of the arts. Theatre of Youth provides a wonderful cultural experience that celebrates the worth and creativity of the individual.”
Here is the lineup for Theatre of Youth’s 2016-2017 season:
Fancy Nancy: The Musical
October 1-23
Nancy and her pals Wanda, Rhonda, Bree and Lionel, are thrilled to be dancing in their very first school production, “Deep Sea Dances.” Nancy is positive she will be cast as the Mermaid, but when another girl gets the role, Nancy is stuck playing a dull, dreary tree. Can Nancy bring her fancy flair to her role, even though it isn’t the one she wanted? And when disaster strikes right before the big ballet, who will step in to steal the spotlight? By the end, Nancy learns that anyone can be fancy – all it takes is a dash of imagination.
Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells
December 3-18
It’s the worstest day EVER in Room One for everybody’s favorite first grader, Junie B. Jones! Tattletale May keeps picking on Junie B. and it’s not fair. But things get worse when Junie B. draws May’s name for the Secret Santa gift exchange. Junie B. concocts a plan to give May a lump of coal, while getting an awesome Squeeze-a-Burp for herself. Will Junie B. have a last-minute change of heart and demonstrate her true holiday spirit? This show has lots of laughs, lessons and energy to spare!
The Shakespeare Stealer
January 28 – February 12
In Elizabethan England of 1601, we find Widge, an orphan who is skilled in shorthand (and the art of lying!). He is hired by a mysterious stranger to steal the script of Hamlet; however, he inadvertently becomes part of Shakespeare’s acting troupe. Ultimately, he faces a moral dilemma: is it wrong to steal another person’s words or ideas? There is skullduggery, swordplay, good guys and bad guys, intrigue and danger! An immediately engaging story in the spirit of adventure, just like Treasure Island and Robin Hood.
Charlotte’s Web
March 18 – April 9
All of E.B. White’s classic barnyard characters are here: Wilbur, the radiant young pig who desperately wants to avoid the butcher; Fern, the sweet energetic girl who understands what animals say to each other; Templeton, the gluttonous wisecracking rat who can occasionally be talked into a good deed and, best of all, the extraordinary spider, Charlotte, who proves to be a good writer and a true friend.
Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!”
May 6 – June 3
Gerald is an elephant: lumbering, formally attired, prone to melancholy. Piggie is (what else!) a piggie: perky, smiley and full of fun. Total opposites? No way! They are best friends! In Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play! Elephant and Piggie sing and dance their way through questions such as, “What do you wear to a fancy pool costume party?” “Should you share your ice cream?” and “How can two friends play with one toy?” Backed by nutty backup singers, The Squirrelles, our duo even gets the audience involved in the action. You’ll be doing the “Flippy Floppy Floory” dance all summer long!
All performances take place at the historic, handicapped accessible Allendale Theater, 203 Allen St., Buffalo. Single tickets and subscription packages can be purchased by calling 884-4400 or at www.theatreofyouth.org. Discounts available for school groups or groups of 15 or more. Gift certificates are also available.
