Hope Summer Repertory Theatre’s Children’s Performance Troupe opens the musical adventure “Curious George: The Golden Meatball” on Friday, July 14, at 10:30 a.m. in the DeWitt Center Studio Theatre.
Join Curious George, the inquisitive, lovable monkey-star of books, movies and award-winning PBS television show in a musical adventure. With many familiar faces from the beloved book series by H.A. Rey, George flips, skips, and turns as he learns about meatballs and the “secret ingredient” to cooking. This loveable adventure for young audiences is sure to leave them singing and swinging in their seats.
All-you-can-eat meatball day comes around just once a year, and for an inquisitive, lovable, little monkey named George, the day ranks right up there with his birthday. George loves helping his friend, Chef Pisghetti, cook up delicious meatballs and serving them to a hungry crowd. On this meatball day however, something’s different. The crowd has vanished! Something is keeping people away. Something pretty big.
The culprits: Phinneas T. Lightspeed and his “Meatballs O’matic” machine. Chef Pisghetti is upset and vows never to cook again. Determined to motivate his friend, George enters the Chef’s scrumptious meatballs in the world-famous Golden Meatball contest.
Directed by Kris Kuss, the seven-member ensemble features the talents of Chaz Sanders (George), Ben Love (Man in The Yellow Hat), Madeline Jones (Chef Pisghetti, Carpenter, Italian Painter), Kierney Johnson (Phinneas T. Lightspeed, Painter, Delivery Man, Cook, Italian Painter), Emily Hadick (Netti, Painter, Delivery Man, American Tourist, Chef O’Malley), Kristina Kastrinelis (Doorman, Cook, Crow, Delivery Man, American Tourist), Olivia Lehnertz (Frankie Sidecar, Delivery Man, Cook, Crowd, Italian Painter).
The production team includes Kris Kuss (director), Mollie Murk (choreographer), John Fortunato (stage manager), Zeenah Hussein (assistant stage manager), Jonathan Berg-Einhorn (scenic designer), Julianne Babel (costume designer), Nick Carlson (lighting designer), Luke Parker (sound designer), Emily White Freeman (props master), Taylor Adams (wardrobe supervisor), Deborah Baxter (scenic charge artist), Tyler Knowles (sound shop supervisor), Alex Nelson (assistant technical director), Daniel Silverman (technical director), Ken Chamberlain (master electrician), Tracie VanLaw (assistant charge artist), Andrew Souders (costume shop head).
Following the opening, there will be performances on Monday, July 17; Wednesday, July 19; Friday, July 21; Saturday, July 22; on; Monday, July 24; Wednesday, July 26; Friday, July 28; Tuesday, Aug. 1; Thursday, Aug. 3; Friday, Aug. 4; Monday, Aug. 7; Tuesday, Aug. 8; and Saturday, Aug. 11. Performances are at 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. depending on the day. Tickets are limited.
All tickets for “Curious George: The Golden Meatball” are $15 and seating is general. Tickets may be purchased either at the ticket office in the Events and Conferences office located downtown in the Anderson-Werkman Financial Center (100 E. Eighth St.) or the ticket office in the theatre lobby of the DeWitt Center (141 E. 12th St.). The Events and Conferences Office, which is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. can be reached at (616) 395-7890. The DeWitt Center ticket office is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from noon through intermission.