Westport Country Playhouse Presents Under-the-Sea Musical “Nugget and Fang” as Part of Its Family Festivities Series
Westport Country Playhouse will present the under-the-sea musical “Nugget and Fang,” based on the popular book by Tammi Sauer, as part of its Family Festivities Series on Sunday, January 21, at 1 and 4 p.m. Produced by ArtsPower, the one-hour production is appropriate for grades Pre-K through 3. Tickets are $20.
The musical tells the story of Nugget, a minnow, and Fang, a shark, who get along swimmingly — until Nugget’s first day of minnow school. There, Nugget learns that minnows are supposed to be afraid of sharks! To regain Nugget’s trust, Fang takes desperate and hilarious measures. Nothing goes as planned. Fang is moping in deep waters when he notices that Nugget and his minnow schoolmates are caught up in some big trouble - and one very big net. Holy mackerel! Can Fang save the day and prove he’s a true friend?
The Playhouse’s six-show Family Festivities Series is presented on selected Sundays from December through May, featuring musical productions based on classic and contemporary children’s stories. Upcoming Family Festivities musicals include “Junie B. Jones,” on Sunday, February 11, TheatreWorks USA’s tale of outspoken, precocious, lovable Junie B. Jones, adapted from the bestselling series of books by Barbara Park, recommended for grades K through 5; “Pinkalicious, the Musical,” onSunday, March 11, Vital Theatre Company’s production based on the bestselling book from Victoria and Elizabeth Kann about Pinkalicious who can't stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents, appropriate for ages 2 through 7; “How I Became a Pirate,” on Sunday, April 15, Dallas Children’s Theatre’s rollicking musical adventure about young Jeremy Jacob who joins Captain Braid Beard’s band of comical pirates, based on the bestselling book by Melinda Long, recommended for grades K through 5; and “Harry and the Dirty Dog,” on Sunday May 6, ArtsPower’s charming musical about a dog named Harry, who hates taking baths, based on the book by Gene Zion, illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham, appropriate for grades K through 2.
On Saturday, January 13, at 2:30 p.m., one week before the Playhouse presentation of “Nugget and Fang,” The Westport Library will offer “Story Explorers,” a free-of-charge program featuring an interactive book reading of “Nugget and Fang” and activities surrounding the book’s theme led by instructors from Broadway Method Academy, the Playhouse’s resident conservatory. The hour-long program promotes childhood literacy while also enhancing children’s experiences of attending the Playhouse’s Family Festivities shows. Presenting partners for “Story Explorers” are Westport Country Playhouse, The Westport Library, and Westport Young Woman’s League. “Story Explorers” Corporate Sponsor is KPMG.
In conjunction with the Family Festivities Series, the Playhouse will once again host a book collection for Read to Grow, Inc., a statewide nonprofit organization that provides free children's books to families with limited access and to community resources that serve them. At each Family Festivities performance, bins will be located in the Playhouse lobby for donations of gently used and new children’s books which will be given to families and programs in the greater Fairfield County area through Read to Grow. During last season’s Family Festivities series, the Playhouse collected nearly 300 books.
Family Festivities Series Corporate Sponsor is Pitney Bowes. The Family Festivities Series is also supported by the Westport Young Woman’s League.
Everyone in the audience requires a ticket. For more information or tickets, call the box office at (203) 227-4177, or toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Tickets are available online 24/7 at www.westportplayhouse.org. Stay connected to the Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse), or view Playhouse videos on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse).