Performing

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=140 BGCOLOR="#9966CC" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03b00a20ezthtv.png"> <div> <B>H</B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="City Stage Co. of Boston"><U><B>ome</B></U></A><B>     |     </B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#330066" FACE="Arial" ><B>City Stage Co. of Boston</B></FONT></div> <div> <B>Performing</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Educating"><U>Educating</U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Museums"><U>Museums</U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id15.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News!"><U>News!</U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact info"><U>Contact info</U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Participating"><U>Participating</U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Calendar"><U>Calendar</U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Teen Stages"><U>Teen Stages</U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="KidStage"><U>KidStage</U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Whats the Big Idea?"><U>What's the Big Idea?</U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Buster Has Asthma"><U>Buster Has Asthma</U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id16.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Whos Who Bios"><U>Who's Who & Bios</U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="History"><U>History</U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="FAQ"><U>FAQ</U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="After School With City Stage Co."><U>After School With City Stage Co.</U></A></div> <div> <B>Performing</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#CCFF66" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <IMG SRC="0b375b00.jpg" border=0 width="117" height="176" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=340 BGCOLOR="#CCFF66" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>We Make the Whole City Our Stage</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> City Stage Co. sends original, participatory plays to reach family audiences in the neighborhoods where they live.  We also offer daily performances on  KidStage at the Boston Children's Museum.</div> <bR> <div> <B>See also:</B></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.citystage.org/id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.citystage.org/id24.htm"><U><B>KidStage</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.citystage.org/id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.citystage.org/id25.htm"><U><B>What's the Big Idea?</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.citystage.org/id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.citystage.org/id26.htm"><U><B>Buster Has Asthma</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>Why do we tour?</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="0afbe880.jpg" border=0 width="190" height="136" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <IMG SRC="15444890.jpg" border=0 width="68" height="137" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <IMG SRC="156ce890.jpg" border=0 width="206" height="137" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> To overcome barriers for under-served audiences, our productions travel to neighborhoods, charge no admission and are presented in educational settings; i.e. libraries, schools, after-school programs, social service agencies and community centers.  We work hard to keep our fees affordable for sponsoring organizations and to get funding that can support our outreach.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>"The playful and clever scripts, written by Larry Coen and Susan Gassett, connect with audiences on various levels. For children, familiar story lines and interesting props help bring the stories to life, and there is enough subtle humor and word play to keep parents on their toes as well. But the integral part of a City Stage production is audience participation." - </B></I><B>The  Boston TAB</B></div> <bR> <div> Our participatory style of theater presents enticing opportunities for family audiences to volunteer to play roles on stage with our actors.  Each participant is costumed and rehearsed with a simple action or line of dialogue.  We strongly believe that our interactive style is especially engaging to children and magnifies the surprises and excitement unique to live theater.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>TOURING PRODUCTIONS</U></B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>"Whether calling out improv-like suggestions, passing Grandfather Sun around faster and faster, or donning Pogo Pig's ensemble, the audience fills out the story and makes it personal and unique. Since every show depends on active participation, there is never a dull moment."</B></I></div> <div> <B>The TAB</B></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>The History and the Adventures of Tom Thumb</B></I> is a lively comedy with audience participation.  Twenty-two children and adults are invited on stage to play various roles including Fairy Kings and Queens, Grumbo the Giant, a Ravenous Raven, a Terrified Tinker, Cheesy the Mouse, an Enormous Fish, the Evil Rat Family and Tiny Tom himself.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="0ff6e9b0.jpg" border=0 width="110" height="155" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <IMG SRC="102999b0.jpg" border=0 width="153" height="155" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <IMG SRC="104d79c0.jpg" border=0 width="215" height="156" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Two professional actors provide colorful costumes for the audience participants and lead them through this epic adventure of the child who was “no bigger than his father’s thumb.”  The show lasts 40 minutes and is appropriate for family audiences.  </div> <bR> <div> Since its creation in 1982, the show has been performed both locally and nationally, including <I>First Night</I> Boston; <I>ArtSmart</I> at the Wang Center; the <I>Chicago Fringe Festival</I>, Special Olympics; the Boston Children’s Museum, King Richard’s Faire as well as at numerous day camps, libraries and recreation departments in Massachusetts.</div> <bR> <div> If you are interested in booking <I>The History and the Adventures of Tom Thumb</I>, phone Mike LaChance 617-542-2291 X3 or  </div> <div> email mike.lachance (at) citystage.org</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Folktales East & West</B></I> is a 30 minute show that dramatizes three traditional tales from European, Chinese and Native American cultures.  All three of the tales are acted by two professional, adult actors with lots of participation from audience volunteers.   </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="0b721000.jpg" border=0 width="289" height="256" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>“Grandfather Sun”</B></I> is a Native American myth that explains why days are longer in the summer and shorter in the winter.  The whole audience acts out planting crops, building shelter, casting fishing nets and stoking fires.  To represent the sun traveling through the sky, a painted soft sculpture sphere is passed from person to person through the audience.  A City Stage actor plays the brave villager, who wades into the sea to ask Grandfather Sun to slow his daily journey, so that the people can have more daylight and warmth.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="0b141fd0.jpg" border=0 width="321" height="253" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>“The Tale of the Three Little Pigs”</B></I> is a comic take on the folktale, told fractured fairytales style.   7 audience participants come up on stage to play the 3 pigs, the Big-Bad Wolf and the Pig Houses of straw, sticks and bricks, which are represented by painted umbrellas that rise and fall as the plot demands.  The whole audience speaks the wolf and pigs’ dialogue, with rhymes and gestures.  A City Stage actor plays Mama Pig, who has raised the pigs alone, ever since their father disappeared “near that football factory.”</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="0b53d040.jpg" border=0 width="317" height="260" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>“Why Rat Came First”</B></I> is a traditional tale about Chinese New Year, how the animals were chosen for the 12 year zodiac cycle and why the Year of the Rat is the first year of the cycle.  12 audience participants come up on stage to play the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac; Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.  City Stage actors play the Jade King and his Prime Minister, who live high in the clouds and throw a party to meet the animals of the Earth.  Thanks to the clumsy efforts of the Prime Minister, not all of the invitations are delivered, so only 12 animals attend the feast.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>"Many, many moons ago, we loved going to Chinese restaurants, studying the paper placemats, and pointing out to our sibling that they were born in the year of the rat. Now that we are sophisticated and thoughtful, we are curious to learn how rodents and certain animals came to be associated with one's year of birth. We'll get that chance when the City Stage Co. of Boston presents the "Folktales East & West." </B></I></div> <div> <B>The Boston Globe</B></div> <bR> <div> If you are interested in booking <I>Folktales East & West</I>, phone  Mike LaChance 617-542-2291 X3 or  email mike.lachance (at) citystage.org</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>"City Stage Company convinced dozens of tiny would-be actors to take</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>the stage as dying rats, roaring lions, thrashing fish and fairy</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>princesses for a humorous performance."</B></I></div> <div> <B>Boston Herald</B></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Folktales North & South</B></I></div> <div> After the smash success of <I>Folktales East & West, </I>City Stage Co. brings more free family theater based on cultures from around the world with <I>Folktales North & South.  </I>This new 30 minute show is performed by two professional adult actors with lots of participation from audience volunteers.  The three tales come from three different cultures.  </div> <div> <IMG SRC="14811b60.jpg" border=0 width="273" height="182" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <I><B>The Little Red Hen & Chicken Little</B></I> is a lightly comic tale from the British Isles, about pitching in staying calm.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="14a1abc0.jpg" border=0 width="282" height="188" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <I><B>The Wings of the Butterfly </B></I>is a tale of transformation from the Tukuna Tribe of the Upper Amazon.  Children and adults from the audience will play the Spider Monkeys and Morpho Butterflies who gather in the deep jungle for a festival.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="14c17ab0.jpg" border=0 width="279" height="171" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <I><B>Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky</B></I><I> </I>is a myth about the origin of the world, from the Efik-Ibibio people of Nigeria.  Audience members will volunteer to play the many water creatures, who fill up the house of the Sun and Moon when the come to visit, forcing the two hosts to leap into the sky.</div> <bR> <div> If you are interested in booking <I>Folktales North & South</I>, phone  Mike LaChance 617-542-2291 X3 or  email mike.lachance (at) citystage.org</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>A Piece of the Pie</B></I></div> <div> Perfect for middle schools.  <I>A Piece of the Pie</I> is a simulation  in which participants take on the identity of immigrants.  With limited money and skills they must get jobs and housing while facing language barriers and racism.  City Stage Co. can lead up to 70 students through this one-hour program.  A Piece of the Pie has been popular with social studies teachers since 1991.   If you are interested in booking <I>A Piece of the Pie,</I> phone 617-542-2291 or <A HREF="mailto:touring@citystage.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:touring@citystage.org"><U>email</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>FitKids</B> is a participatory play for elementary school audiences about making healthy choices. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="20f9ef70.jpg" border=0 width="158" height="247" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <IMG SRC="2114ef80.jpg" border=0 width="334" height="248" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>FitKids</B> was created in consultation with health educators, a pediatrician and a child psychiatrist. </div> <bR> <div> <B>FitKids</B> is an upbeat, fun, colorful, participatory presentation about nutrition, exercise and the day-to-day stresses kids face. </div> <bR> <div> <B>FitKids</B> has been a smash hit in hundreds of elementary schools.</div> <bR> <div> <B>FitKids</B> is performed by three professional actors and can tour anywhere.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>"I liked your show.  I liked Diggety Dog.  It was fun.  I liked how you told about exercise.  It was a good show.  I liked the Super Chefs.  I liked Vim and Viger</B></I><B> (sic)  </B><I><B>I think your show is funny.  I liked the talking T.V."</B></I></div> <div> <B>Hilary- age 7</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="213c80b0.jpg" border=0 width="200" height="267" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> </B></div> <bR> <div> Our production of <I>FitKids</I> toured for 10 years to one thousand elementary schools in 6 states, for an audience of 500,000 students, while employing a total of 24 actors.  Whew!  We’re looking for a new sponsor to bring back this participatory production about health, self-esteem and communication.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>"The best part in the show was when the TV & frigerater (sic) strtid (sic) talking.  Your show was funny"</B></I></div> <div> <B>Joe- age 7</B></div> <bR> <div> If you are interested in sponsoring a tour of FitKids to elementary schools in your area, phone 617-542-2291 or <A HREF="mailto:touring@citystage.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:touring@citystage.org"><U>email</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Energy Matters</B></I></div> <div> Energy Matters is a participatory play for elementary school audiences about electricity. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="098d8bc0.jpg" border=0 width="216" height="188" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Energy Matters</B></I> was originally created for New England Power Company in consultation with science educators. </div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Energy Matters</B></I> is an upbeat, fun, colorful, participatory presentation about electricity, conservation and safety. </div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Energy Matters</B></I> is performed by three professional actors and can tour anywhere.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>"Thank you for showing us how to save energy.  Now I know how to save energy.  I like saving energy a lot.  Your play that you were in I liked.  I am turning off my lights and radio too."</B></I></div> <div> <B>Daniel- age 8</B></div> <bR> <div> If you are interested in sponsoring a tour of Energy Matters to elementary schools in your area, phone 617-542-2291 or <A HREF="mailto:touring@citystage.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:touring@citystage.org"><U>email</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>"Thank you.  I liked the show.  I appreciate the program.  I learned about the electricity.  I liked the thing that we sing did together. </B></I><B>(sic)"</B></div> <div> <B>Donna- age 7</B></div> </td> </tr></table></body>