Books And Poetry, Alive And On Stage

RIDGEFIELD — Books come alive in Andrea Wright’s Books Alive!, which will be at The Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and the Performing Arts on Saturday, April 19, at 2 pm.  Designed for children in kindergarten through fifth grade, the theatrical presentation of stories and poems emphasizes the fun that can be found in books.

After her presentation, Ms Wright will host an acting workshop for up to 15 children, ages 8 to 11.

Children often say that their favorite part of Books Alive! is the books, and why not, as with mime, music and a few simple props, Ms Wright brings books directly to the children in animated full color. She plays all the characters and sometimes the scenery as well.

Audience members often get into the picture as well, which is the plan for the production in Ridgefield. With Napping House and Elbert’s Bad Word, Ms Wright will need audience participation in dramatizing the stories.

Other books to come alive are Hooway for Wodney Wat by Helen Lester and The Quiltmakers Quilt by Jeff Brumbeau and Gail de Marcken.

Closing out her presentation, Ms Wright will sing a song with which all the students in the audience will identify, “How We Hate Homework!”

The one-hour acting workshop after Books Alive! includes playing theater games, learning mime, and acting out some Shel Silverstein poems. After rehearsing, parents are invited to return to see their children perform the poems.

Andrea Wright has trained extensively in dance, mime, voice and acting. She appeared on Broadway in Barnum and Raggedy Ann and has performed at Radio City Music Hall.  Early in her career she toured with Peanut Butter Readers, a four-member troupe who specialized in reader’s theater for kids, a concept which inspired Books Alive!

She has taught theatre workshops and directed many children’s productions, including Godspell, The Music Man, Hamlet and Macbeth, the last two performed by fifth graders.

Tickets for Books Alive! are $10 for all seats; the workshop is an additional $15. For reservations, call the Ridgefield Playhouse box office at 203-438-5795. The playhouse is at 80 East Ridge Avenue, at the rear of the old high school. Parking is free.  For more information, visit www.RidgefieldPlayhouse.org.