Musical Adaptation of Katie Couric’s The Brand New Kid Proves
What Makes You Weird Can Also Make You Wonderful

Santa Rosa, CA (October 3, 2007) – Called “highly entertaining!" and “endearingly goofy,” the new musical stage production of news anchor Katie Couric’s popular children’s book, The Brand New Kid, comes to Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, October 18 at 6:30pm. Presented by The Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences on Tour, Couric’s lively, colorful, and often funny story is certain to entertain while offering a heart-felt plea for acceptance to children of all ages.

Adapted for the stage by Melanie Marnich and Michael Friendman, the Kennedy Center’s tuneful new musical is “perfectly attuned to the fads and fears of today’s children” (The Washington Post). The story begins on the first day of second grade in the city of Delasky where Lazlo S. Gasky is the new kid in school. Because he doesn’t look or speak like the others, however, the teasing and taunting begin. When Ellie McSnelly realizes how tough Lazlo has it, she risks being ridiculed herself to spend an afternoon with him. The two ultimately teach their classmates a valuable lesson about giving others a chance. Together they learn that being you is the best way to be!

The Kennedy Center’s staged adaptation of Katie Couric’s The Brand New Kid is the first presentation in the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts Family Series. The series features eight fantastic family shows designed for children ages 3-12.  Upcoming performances also include: Seussical by TheaterworksUSA, November 9 at 6:30pm; The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley by IntraMusic Theatricals, January 22 at 6:30pm; Madeline and the Bad Hat by ArtsPower, February 9 at 2:00pm;  FROGZ by Imago Theatre, February 21 at 6:30pm; The Golden Dragon Acrobats, March 6 at 6:30pm; Winnie the Pooh by Two Beans Productions, April 19 at 2:00pm; and Milkshake, May 9 at 6:30pm.

The Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences on Tour presents Katie Couric’s The Brand New Kid, October 18 at Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. Tickets ($11 Child, $16 Adult) are available at the Box Office located at 50 Mark West Springs Road in Santa Rosa, by phone at 707-546-3600, and online at www.wellsfargocenterarts.org

 

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The non-profit Wells Fargo Center for the Arts is the North Bay's premier arts organization presenting world-class performances, contemporary sculpture, festivals, and events to 500,000 residents and visitors each year. Together with its resident companies, the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts provides more than 100 annual performances, serves to present intriguing contemporary art, and is one of California's largest providers of arts education programs for children. Located in the heart of the Wine Country, the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts campus features spacious auditoriums, an intimate cabaret, and outdoor festival grounds with a big-top tent. Unlike many similar organizations, the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts is not aligned with any federal, state, or municipal entity-such as a city or university. The Center was created by and is supported by the community it serves, making it uniquely positioned as an independent, entrepreneurial-focused, non-profit arts organization. We serve to Enrich, Educate and Entertain - Connecting Our Community through the Arts.