PARKERSBURG - The Smoot Theatre will kick off its 2012-2013 Kids Club Series in October, along with a bluegrass concert by Seldom Scene later in the month.
"If You Give a Mouse a Cookie & Other Story Books" will be presented at 7 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Smoot at 213 Fifth St. in downtown Parkersburg.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for children. Tickets are available by calling 304-422-PLAY (7529) or online at www.smoottheatre.com
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The Smoot Theatre’s Kids Club Series will present “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie & Other Story Books” at 7 p.m. Oct. 12 in downtown Parkersburg. The cast includes, from left, Carla Woods, Aurelia Williams, Stephanie D’Abruzzo, David A. Austin and Nick Blaemire.
Presented by Theatreworks USA, the musical revue brings seven children's stories to life in one production. The stories represent various issues, themes and ideas relevant to a broad and diverse audience of children.
The books featured in the show include:
Smoot director Felice Jorgeson said the Parkersburg/Wood County Public Library is partnering with the Smoot for this year's Kids Club Series.
The library is having a contest for children in first through sixth grades in which children can be eligible to win two free tickets to Kids' Club events. Students can participate by going to the library's Young Reader's Room, pick up a book chart and then turn in a list of books they have read two days prior to the show. Their names will be placed in a drawing and they are eligible to win free tickets. Once a show is over, a new contest will begin.
Jorgeson said the library will also be supplying and giving away books during a book give-away that always occurs just prior to each show.
"Both entities - the theatre and the library - see this as an excellent opportunity to keep young brains (both the left and the right sides) focused and having fun as they discover joy in the world of books and the theatre," Jorgeson said.
October will also feature a concert by Seldom Scene from 8-10 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Smoot.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $9 for students high school younger and are available by contacting the Smoot.
Seldom Scene began as a non-touring bluegrass band in 1971 in Bethesda, Md. The basement jam sessions at the home of Ben Eldridge started the whole thing, which remains active today. Bluegrass reached a second peak in popularity in the early 1970s, and the progressive bluegrass style played by The Seldom Scene was particularly popular and its shows included bluegrass versions of country music, rock, and even classical pop.
Seldom Scene continues to excel in the bluegrass scene and has received critical acclaim for its work. Their latest CD, Scenechronized, recorded in 2007, was nominated for a Grammy award. The Seldom Scene has performed at the White House many times, and continues to tour the world, garnering the monikor: "America's Bluegrass Band".
The band consists of Dudley Connell (guitar/lead and baritone vocals), Ben Eldridge (banjo and scatt singing), Lou Reid (mandolin/lead and tenor vocals), Fred Travers (dobro/lead and tenor vocals), and Ronnie Simpkins (bass/baritone vocals).
