Venice Theatre presents the musical Children’s Letters to God
Young cast brings to life the show Broadwayworld.com calls “Clever, funny and musically hip”
(Venice, FL) Venice Theatre’s Generations Series is proud to present the musical Children’s Letters to God. This stage version of the best-selling book by Stuart Hample and Eric Marshall opens Thursday, May 14 and runs through Sunday, May 24, 2015. Performances take place on Venice Theatre’s Pinkerton Stage at 7 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Venice Theatre’s Education and Outreach Department is offering a free theatre class after the Saturday matinees on May 16 and May 23.Tickets are $10 for students through 12th grade, $13 for college students and $17 for adults. They can be purchased online at www.venicestage.com or by calling the box office at 941-488-1115. Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more. The show is generously sponsored by James, Julie and Ava Podewitz.
Children’s Letters to God is a whimsical show that follows five young friends as they voice beliefs, desires, questions and doubts universal to all people. It carries a message which crosses the boundaries of age, geography and religion. As in the book, the musical is not specifically religious in nature. It is merely about young people and various events in their lives that lead them to ask a questions – some funny, some serious, some surprising. Based on actual letters written by children, the show looks at timeless issues such as sibling rivalry, divorce, holidays, the loss of a beloved pet, insecurity, and first love.
Cathy Baudrit-Noeth, a professional musician and teacher at Rowlett Academy for Arts and Communication, directs a cast of eleven students ranging from elementary to high school. The music director is 16-year old Eli Schildkraut, a student in Booker High School’s Visual and Performing Arts Program.
Again, tickets for Children’s Letters to God are available at www.venicestage.com or by calling the box office at 941-488-1115. Box office hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and one hour before show-time. The theatre is located at 140 W. Tampa Ave. on the island in Venice.
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Children’s Letters to God
Book by Stuart Hample. Music by David Evans, Lyrics by Douglas J. Cohen
Based on the book by Stuart Hample and Eric Marshall
Production Staff
Director / Choreographer – Cathy Baudrit-Noeth
Music Director – Eli Schildkraut
Stage Manager – James Podewitz
Technical Director / Scenic Designer – John Andzulis
Lighting Designer – David Castaneda
Costume Designer – Chelsea Sorensen
Sound Designer – Dorian Boyd
Props Master – Lisa Million
Cast
Joanna – Grace Wickerson
Brett – Jake Cooper
Iris – Natalie Taylor
Theo – Ryan Hunek
Kicker – Luke Cooper
Ensemble/Chorus – Ava Podewitz, Jillian Alexander, Beckett Pfanmiller, Dominic DeNiro, Kiley Berkery, Casey Berkery
Tickets: 941-488-1115
Venice Theatre’s mission is making a dramatic impact on all stages of life. The second-largest out of 10,000 community theatres in the United States, it is located at 140 W. Tampa Ave .on the island in Venice, FL. Its MainStage offers seating for 432 patrons and features musicals, plays, concerts and special events. Its Yvonne Pinkerton Theatre seats 90 patrons and is home to the theatre’s “Generations”, Stage II and Cabaret Series. In addition to providing entertainment to the community, Venice Theatre has a wide range of education and outreach programs for children and adults.
