two river theater presents a wind in the willows christmas, a new musical by mike reid, sarah...

7/30/2019 TWO RIVER THEATER PRESENTS A WIND IN THE WILLOWS CHRISTMAS, A NEW MUSICAL BY MIKE REID, SARAH SC

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 20, 2012

TWO RIVER THEATER PRESENTSA WIND IN THE WILLOWS CHRISTMAS, A NEW MUSICAL BY

MIKE REID, SARAH SCHLESINGER, AND MINDI DICKSTEIN, DIRECTED BY AMANDA DEHNERT

Commissioned as part of the Two Rivers ongoing commitment to new musical-theater

development, Willows is the theaters first world premiere for children and families; featured

in the company are Farah Alvin, Tituss Burgess, Nick Choksi, Kathy Connolly, Tom Deckman,

John Garry, John Jellison, and Dana Steingold

Performances: December 830, 2012

Special Performance for Families Affected by Hurricane Sandy: Tuesday, December 11 at 7 pm

First Press Performance: Friday, December 14 at 7pm

RED BANK, NJ Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing

Director Michael Hurst, announces the full cast and community events forA Wind in the Willows

Christmas, a new musical inspired by Kenneth Grahames childrens classic, written by composer Mike

Reid, lyricist Sarah Schlesinger, and bookwriter Mindi Dickstein. The world-premiere production is

directed by Amanda Dehnert, with music direction by James Sampliner. Performances will begin in Two

Rivers Rechnitz Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, on Saturday, December 8 and continue through Sunday,

December 30. There will be a special performance for families affected by Hurricane Sandy on Tuesday,

December 11at 7pm (please see below for more information). The first press performance is Friday,

December 14 at 7pm. This production is sponsored by Investors Bank.

Commissioned and developed by Two River Theater, this new musical follows the adventures of the

storys beloved charactersMole, the Water Rat, Dr. Badger, and Mr. Toadas they discover that home

is where your friends are.A Wind in the Willows Christmas is recommended for ages 5 and up. Tickets

are available from 732.345.1400 or www.trtc.org. Tickets are $25 for patrons under age 18; ticket

prices for adults are $50-$55. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.

The company ofA Wind in the Willows Christmas includes Farah Alvin (The Marvelous Wonderettes,

Nine) as Mrs. Otter; Tituss Burgess (The Little Mermaid, 30 Rock) as Mr. Toad; Nick Choksi (Natasha,

Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 at Ars Nova) as Rat; Kathy Connolly (A Midsummer Nights Dream at

Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey) as Weasel/Rabbit; Tom Deckman (Monty Pythons Spamalot) as

Mole; John Garry (Bunnicula for Theatreworks/USA) as Weasel/Rabbit; John Jellison (Memphis and

Sunday in the Park with George) as Dr. Badger; and Dana Steingold (national tour ofThe 25th Annual

Putnam County Spelling Bee) as Little Portly.


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Two Rivers annual holiday production for families is one of the theaters beloved traditions, says

Artistic Director John Dias. This year, we commissioned a new musical that we hope will become part of

the canon of great work for younger audiencesand a great experience for adult audiences, too. The

story is given a fresh comic perspective by Mindi Dickstein, and has a buoyant, heartfelt score by Mike

Reid and Sarah Schlesinger. Amanda Dehnert has brought together a wildly talented cast and design

team to realize the whimsical, imaginative world of this beloved tale.

Composer Mike Reid and lyricist Sarah Schlesinger most recently wrote In This House, which premiered

at Two River last season. Reid is a Grammy Award-winning songwriter with more than 30 Top-Ten pop

and country hits recorded by many artists including Bonnie Raitt (ICant Make You Love Me) and

Kenny Chesney (Always Gonna Be You). He received his Grammy for Stranger in My House, recorded

by Ronnie Milsap. Schlesinger is the Chair of the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program at NYUs

Tisch School of the Arts.

Mindi Dickstein wrote the lyrics for the Broadway musical Little Women. She has written several

musicals for Theatreworks USA including Black Beautyand Lyle, Lyle Crocodile. Recent work includes the

book for Toy Story - The Musical, with songs by Brendan Milburn and Valerie Vigoda (GrooveLily), for

Disney Creative Entertainment.

Music Director James Sampliner made his Two River debut with In This House. His Broadway credits

include The Wedding Singerand Legally Blonde.

Director Amanda Dehnert is a director, composer, and adapter. Her recent projects include Richard III

for The Publics Mobile Shakespeare Unit;Julius Caesarat Oregon Shakespeare Festival; and Peter Pan

(A Play), which she wrote and directed for Lookingglass Theatre Company. She has directed many

productions for Trinity Repertory Company includingAnnie and My Fair Lady.

The creative team includes scenic and costume designer Philip Witcomb, lighting designer Tyler

Micoleau, and sound designer Zachary Williamson. The orchestrations are by Danny Larsen, the casting

is by Cindy Tolan and Adam Caldwell, and the stage manager is Samantha Greene.

SPECIAL PERFORMANCE FOR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY HURRICANE SANDY

DECEMBER 11 at 7PM

Two River Theater is hosting a special December 11 performance of A Wind in the Willows Christmas for

local families affected by Hurricane Sandy. Donors may contribute to a Family Sponsorship that will

provide free tickets to approximately 100 families in need; donors of $500 and $1,000 will receive

benefits and recognition as part of the theaters Backstage Pass program. Families will be selected

through a ticket drawing on December 3. Families are invited to nominate themselves; anyone may

make a nomination. To contribute to this fund and/or to nominate a family in need, please contact

Ellen Hahn, Institutional Development Associate, at 732.345.1400 ext. 1830 [email protected]

December 2.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

In a continuing tradition for Two Rivers annual family show,A Wind in the Willows Christmas will be the

centerpiece of region-wide community events that introduce young people to theater and promote

reading and conversation. The community programs are sponsored by OceanFirst Foundation.

Pre-show Activities: Interactive activities including a free photo station, coloring tables, and boutique

with merchandise for purchase will be available in the lobby prior to every performance.

Post-play Discussions with the Cast: Every performance will include a post-show opportunity for

children in the audience to ask questions of the cast.

One Book, One Community:Now in its third year, this town-wide celebration ofThe Wind in the Willows

includes partnerships with more than a dozen local libraries and businesses. Free events include

readings, discussions, arts and crafts, movie screenings, and other programs, as well as discounts at area

retailers. For a complete schedule of events, supporters, and community partners, visit TRTC.org.

Da de la Familia, Sunday, December 9 at 4pm: Each season, Two River offers a performance with live

Spanish-language translation (available through audio-description headsets). Da de la Familia brings

Spanish-speaking and bilingual children and their families to the theatermany of them for their first

experience of seeing a play. This free performance also includes refreshments and theater games

beginning at 3pm.

Scout Days, Thursday, December 27 at 12pm, and Friday, December 28 at 12pm: Two River offers two

performances for local Boy and Girl Scouts. In addition to the performance, the scouts take part in

theater games and workshops, and enjoy a guided tour of the theater and refreshments. Participants

receive a Two River Theater Company Scout Day special-interest patch. The price per scout is $30;

tickets can be reserved through Brian Holland, Director of Audience Services, at 732.345.1400 ext. 1813

or [email protected].

STUDENT MATINEES AND FULL PERFORMANCE CALENDAR

Student Matinees: Two River Theater will offer 10am Student Matinee performances on Wednesday,

December 12; Thursday, December 13; and Wednesday, December 19. The price per student is $15;

tickets can be reserved through Brian Holland, Director of Audience Services, at 732.345.1400 ext. 1813

or [email protected].

Saturday, December 8 at 12pm

Sunday, December 9 at 12pm and 4pm (Da de la Familia)

Tuesday, December 11 at 7pm (Special Performance for Families Affected by Hurricane Sandy)

Wednesday, December 12 at 10am


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Thursday, December 13 at 10am

Friday, December 14 at 7pm (First Press Night)

Saturday, December 15 at 12pm and 7 pm

Sunday, December 16 at 12pm and 4pm

Wednesday, December 19 at 10am and 7pm (American Sign Language Interpreted)

Thursday, December 20 at 7pm

Friday, December 21 at 7pm

Saturday, December 22 at 12pm and 7 pm


Wednesday, December 26 at 12pm

Thursday, December 27 at 12pm (Scout Day)

Friday, December 28 at 12pm (Scout Day) and 7pm

Saturday, December 29 at 12pm and 7pm


SPONSORS

A Wind in the Willows Christmas is sponsored by Investors Bank. The community programs are

sponsored by OceanFirst Foundation. Opening nights for the 2012-2013 Season are sponsored by et al

fine foods & events and Flowers on Front.

Two River Theater Company is supported in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts,

a division within the Department of State and a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts,

The Hickory Foundation, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, The Stone

Foundation of New Jersey, Monmouth University, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, Durso

Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley, Investors Bank, OceanFirst Foundation, Springpoint

Senior Living Foundation, and many other generous foundations, corporations, businesses and

individuals.

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TWO RIVER THEATER COMPANY, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director

Michael Hurst, is dedicated to producing great classics from the American and world stage, creating new plays and

musicals for the American theater, and serving its diverse and multigenerational community through unique

partnerships and education programs. Founded in 1994 by Joan and Dr. Robert M. Rechnitz, the theater supports

the most exceptional and adventurous artists in the American theater and provides opportunities for its audiences

to be part of the creative process. Two River Theater is a member of the League of Resident Theaters (LORT),

Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, and ArtPride New Jersey, and has been

designated a Major Arts Institution by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Visit TRTC.org.

two river theater presents a wind in the willows christmas, a new musical by mike reid, sarah...

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