Storybook Musical Theatre, the Abington-based, professional children’s theater company, will continue its 25th Anniversary Season with an original adaptation of the Charles Perrault tale of PUSS ‘N BOOTS. Adapted by Storybook’s Artistic Director, Patricia Goldberg, with music and lyrics by resident composer Jeff Reim. The musical plays at at the Gratz College Theater, 7605 Old York Road, Melrose Park, PA. from March 7 to March 17. Tickets are $12 for children, $14 for adults with school and group discounts available. For reservations and further information: 215-659-8550 or www.storybookmusical.org.
PUSS ‘N BOOTS opens with three brothers dividing up their late father’s estate. The older brothers get the land and the money, leaving the youngest brother with only the family cat. Feeling that he had gotten the short end of the deal, the youngest brother is somewhat surprised to learn that not only can the cat talk, but it has the uncanny ability to create situations that improve its master’s life. In a series of clever and humorous encounters with the King, the Princess, a farmer and a very unfriendly ogre, Puss shows her master that everything is possible when you trust a friend.
Sarah Gafgen plays the clever feline who makes everything possible. Gafgen was last seen in Storybook’s production of Pinocchio as the Blue Fairy. Regional credits: Musical Adventure of Flat Stanley at the Walnut St. Theatre, Alice in Wonderland for Family Stages, Oliver! at Hedgerow Theatre, Annie Get Your Gun at Broadway Theatre of Pitman, and Ragtime at Bristol Riverside Theatre.
Mike Dorsey is the youngest son who puts his trust in his friend Puss and gets more than a cat in the end. Dorsey made his Storybook debut last season as Jacque in Beauty and the Beast. Regional credits: Forever Plaid at Montgomery Theatre, The Graduate at the Eagle Theatre, A Christmas Carol at the Walnut St. Theatre, Secret Garden for 11th Hour Theatre Co., Avenue Q for Mazeppa Productions, Burt and Me at Delaware Theatre Co.
Carl Nathaniel Smith plays three roles in PUSS ‘N BOOTS, as the middle son, a bewildered farmer and a not so nice ogre. A Storybook veteran, Smith was last seen as the Beast in Beauty & the Beast, the enchanted Frog in Frog Prince and the Prince in Cinderella. A native of Texas, he has worked for the last eight years with such theaters as Montgomery, Arden, Bristol Riverside, Hedgerow, Media, People’s Light and Family Stages.
Victor Rodriguez is the oldest son and King. He is making his Storybook debut in PUSS ‘N BOOTS. Regional credits: In the Heights at the Walnut St. Theatre, Lucky Stiff at the Centre Theater, Lion/El Leon at the Adrienne Theater, Alice in Wonderland at the Kelsey Theater, Jamaica at the Prince Music Theater, War Songs II at the Bristol Riverside Theater. In addition, he has done voice-over and commercial work, including a recent one for Action News.
Finally, rounding out the cast is Erica Cochran as the Princess. Cochran is also making her Storybook debut in PUSS ‘N BOOTS. Regional credits: Die Fledermaus and The Magic Flute at Boheme Opera, Ragtime at Bristol Riverside Theatre, Porgy and Bess at Skylight Music Theatre, Cinderella and Lord Giovanni at Opera Vivente. Erica holds a Master’s degree in Voice Performance from Florida State University.
The Gratz College Theater is located at Melrose Avenue and Old York Road in Melrose Park, PA.
The director of PUSS ‘N BOOTS is Patricia Goldberg. Musical Director is Jeff Reim, with costumes by Kim Hanley, sets by Pat Goldberg and lighting by Marc S. Goldberg.
Show times Weekdays at 10:15 am, Saturdays at 11:00 am and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Please call for availability and group discounts.
Storybook productions are appropriate for children age three and older. After each performance children have the opportunity to meet the actors for a handshake, picture or autograph.
For information, reservations or directions call: 215-659-8550 or www.storybookmusical.org.
Theater/Organization Storybook Musical Theatre
Theater/Organization Website: http://www.storybookmusical.org
Theater/Organization Address: 1811 Edge Hill Rd. p.O. Box 473 Abington, Pennsylvania 19001 (Map It)
Theater/Organization Phone: (215) 659-8550
