The New Victory Theater Presents
At the New 42nd Street Studios
Little Angel Theatre’s
London Theater Brings Treasured Children’s Story to Life
Handa’s Surprise
Through Puppetry, Live Music and Song
U.S. Premiere February 12-21
(January 29, 2016) Little Angel Theatre’s vibrant adaptation of Handa’s Surprise, based on Eileen Browne’s endearing children’s book and intended for the very young, makes its United States premiere in a New Victory Theater presentation at the New 42nd Street Studios from February 12-21.
Handa’s Surprise, set in a Kenyan village, is a charming and playful work that provides an excellent introduction to African culture. Through rhythmic Swahili music, melodious songs, beautifully crafted puppets and physical theater, this lauded production by Little Angel Theatre (The Mouse Queen, New Vic 2005), directed by Marleen Vermeulen, breathes life into the much loved picture book. Handa’s Surprise tells the story of Handa, a young Kenyan girl who sets off on a journey to take a basket of fruit to her friend Akeyo in a neighboring village. Little does Handa know what surprises—and lovably mischievous creatures—await her along the way. Recommended for ages 6 months to 4 years, this production of Handa’s Surprise has travelled to 44 venues during its United Kingdom tour, bringing the production to 8,100 kids.
Little Angel Theatre has built a reputation as a leader in the field of puppetry and is dedicated to the celebration and development of puppetry and live animation in all its diverse forms. Little Angel has created and performed more than 30 full-scale shows, touring the U.K., Europe and East Asia. For over 50 years, Little Angel Theatre has been providing high quality puppet theater for family audiences, and continues to innovate in the art of puppets and puppetry.
Watch a trailer of Little Angel Theatre’s HANDA’S SURPRISE on the New Victory website.
Public Performance Schedule: 19 performances
Friday, February 12, 1pm
Saturday, February 13, 10am
Saturday, February 13, 1pm
Saturday, February 13, 4pm
Sunday, February 14, 10am
Sunday, February 14, 1pm
Sunday, February 14, 4pm
Wednesday, February 17, 10am
Thursday, February 18, 10am
Thursday, February 18, 1pm
Friday, February 19, 10am
Friday, February 19, 1pm
Saturday, February 20, 10am
Saturday, February 20, 1pm
Saturday, February 20, 4pm
Sunday, February 21, 10am
Sunday, February 21, 1pm
Sunday, February 21, 4pm
Handa’s Surprise has a running time of 30 minutes with no intermission and is recommended for kids ages 6 months to 4 years.
Handa’s Surprise is supported, in part, by a Presenter’s Grant from The Jim Henson Foundation.
Ticket Information
Tickets for Handa’s Surprise at the New 42nd Street Studios (229 West 42nd Street) are General Admission and cost $13 for New Victory Members and full price tickets cost $20.
Tickets are available online (NewVictory.org) and by telephone (646.223.3010). The New Victory Theater box office (209 West 42nd Street) is open Sunday and Monday from 11am-5pm and Tuesday through Saturday from 12pm-7pm.
Membership
Theatergoers who buy tickets for three or more New Victory shows qualify for free Membership benefits, including locked-in discount ticket prices, free unlimited exchanges (up to 48 hours in advance) and access to a first-look purchase period for newly added performances.
About Little Angel Theatre Company
Little Angel Theatre is one of only three building-based puppet theaters in England. Established in 1961, Little Angel’s Islington-based theater is the center of its activities. The 100 seat theater stands side-by-side with the workshop, where all our new productions and puppets are developed, carved and constructed. The company is dedicated to the celebration and development of puppetry and live animation in all its diverse forms. Alongside their in-house productions, Little Angel also welcomes puppetry companies from around the UK and overseas to perform on its stage. Little Angel aims to be the center of professional puppetry training in the UK and has a lively and imaginative education program that plays a vital role in supporting the art form of puppetry.
About The New Victory Theater
This year, the New Victory celebrates its 20th Anniversary season of bringing kids to the arts and the arts to kids as New York City’s premier theater devoted to the highest quality performing arts for kids and families. Serving the community in all its diversity, The New Victory Theater on 42nd Street presents theater, dance, circus, puppetry, opera and music from around the world at affordable ticket prices. In addition to its public performances, the New Vic is also the largest provider of live performance to NYC school kids, serving 40,000 youth through more than 200 schools, after school programs and day camps each year. The New Victory has been recognized for its contributions to the cultural landscape of the city. Awards include a National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award presented by the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities for the New Victory Usher Corps, which provides paid employment to approximately 50 NYC teens each year, the national Arts Education Award from Americans for the Arts and a Special Award from The Drama Desk for “providing enchanting, sophisticated children’s theater that appeals to the child in all of us, and for nurturing a love of theater in young people.”
About The New 42nd Street
Founded in 1990, The New 42nd Street is an independent nonprofit organization charged with the continuous cultural revival of 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues. Committed to the transformational power of the arts, The New 42nd Street builds on the foundation of seven historic theaters to make extraordinary performing arts and cultural engagement part of everyone’s life. The New 42nd Street fulfills this purpose by ensuring the ongoing vibrancy of 42nd Street’s historic theaters; maintaining and fully using the New 42nd Street Studios and The Duke on 42nd Street to support performing artists in the creation of their work; and through The New Victory Theater, New York’s premier theater for kids and families.
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