Actors' Playhouse hosts Children's Theatre Festival

From March 22nd through April 29th, 2006Actors’ Playhouse Musical Theatre for Young Audiences presents The winning musical of Actors’ Playhouse 11th Annual National Children’s Theatre Festival is The Klemperers’ New Clothes with music by Norman Weiss and written by William Squier A brand-new, “homespun tale” inspired by Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Emperor’s New Clothes”. This new-fangled version, set in Kansas, finds Jinny Mutz, a twelve year old girl, who is determined to teach the folks in the small prairie town where she lives to appreciate the talents of her widowed father, Willard Mutz. Jinny’s problem is that her father — a tailor who sews simple, durable clothes — is a bit too honest for his own good (or to make many sales). So, Jinny enlists the aid of her uncle Millard, a wily traveling salesman. Together they conspire to bring Willard’s dresses to the attention of the town’s arbiter of fashion: Edna Klemperer, the snooty wife of the owner of the local mercantile store. Unfortunately, Edna sneers at Willard’s sturdy, if unexciting, homespun clothing, prompting Millard to turn his scheme into a scam. With Jinny’s help, Millard cons Edna into believing that Willard can make her a new Fantabulous Frock: one that is invisible to fools. Edna takes the bait and demands that such a gown be delivered in time for her to wear it to the Founder’s Day Promenade, a very public parade through the town’s park. The story ends happily when a humbled Edna Klemperer is finally able to appreciate both Willard and his clothes for what they truly are: straightforward, honest and dependable. And Jinny realizes her dream. The 11th Annual National Children’s Theatre Festival will showcase the winner of its National Call Competition for new musical works for children, The Klemperers’ New Clothes. The highlight of the annual event is the Family Festival Fun Weekend, featuring cultural events and hands on activities on March 23rd though 26th, 2006 For more information, please call: 305-444-9293