What would you do if you had all eternity?
This is the question posed in a wonderful new production of the beloved tale
Tuck Everlasting, opening on December 7 at 7pm at New England Youth Theatre at 100 Flat Street in Brattleboro Vermont. Additional performances will be held at 7pm on December 8, 9,14, 15, and 16, and at 2pm on December 9, 10, 16, and 17.
Eleven-year-old Winnie Foster yearns for a life of adventure beyond her white picket fence in Treegap, NH – but it’s not until she becomes unexpectedly entwined with the Tuck Family that she gets more than she could have imagined. When Winnie discovers the magical secret of the Tuck family, she embarks on an extraordinary adventure, which leads to making the biggest decision of her life: to return to her life or continue with the Tucks on their infinite journey. Based on the best-selling, award-winning novel by Natalie Babbitt and adapted for the stage by Claudia Shear and Tim Federle, Tuck Everlasting features a soaring score from Chris Miller and Nathan Tysen.
Directed by Executive Director Hallie Flower, this production will be the regional premier of the play as part of a Samuel French beta program which introduces new material to regional theatres throughout the country. The production also kicks off NEYT’s new Professional Apprentice program, a development program made possible by a grant from the Clowes Fund which was designed to connect NEYT students with our region’s theater and theater-related professionals through personalized, advanced, skills-based instruction. New England Youth Theatre is and always has been theatre ‘for kids by kids’, and this program affords the organization and even greater ability to teach and mentor kids in all aspects of technical theatre, from costume design to set construction and design, positioning students to take on leadership roles in the planning, designing, and performing of NEYT’s productions throughout the year.
The list of professionals recruited for this production is remarkable in both its breadth and distinction: Katherine Partington, a professional dancer and choreographer from New York brings the musical numbers to life with stunning dance choreography incorporating traditional theatre jazz with contemporary ballet and acrobatics; Artistic Director of Main Street Arts, designer David Stern was on hand to direct a workshop on scenic painting for the students, and local visual artist Maria Pugnetti contributed her expertise in scenic design and prop construction. Professional hairstylist Zac Binney will be designing and executing the period hairstyles with the kids, Southern Vermont costume historian and designer Veda Crewe worked with a team of students to create the custom patterns for the Forest Corps costumes and Jana Zeller of Putney’s Sandglass Theater leads a seminar in which she and the students create the puppet of the toad that leads Winnie into the woods. Additionally, Flower herself is mentoring a student apprentice director, Aiden Meyer, who is learning all aspects of putting together a production of this magnitude.
The Holiday Musical at NEYT would not be complete without the Pit Band Program, a collaboration with Brattleboro Music Center in which student musicians provide the musical accompaniment for the actors, providing both actor and musician an opportunity not usually available to student performers.
With costumes designed by the inimitable Sandy Klein, an astonishing set designed and constructed by Jason Clark, and gorgeous lighting designed by Jerry Stockman, this is truly going to be a can’t-miss show. Visually, musically, and emotionally engaging, audiences will be asked to ponder the eternal question: “if you could live forever, would you?” in this extraordinary musical about love, family, and living life to the fullest.
The play performs Thursday December 7 & 14 at 7pm, Friday December 8 & 15, Saturday December 9 & 16 at 2pm and 7pm, and Sunday December 10 and 17 at 2pm. Tickets for these performances are $15 for Adults, $13 for Seniors, and $13 for Students.
Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.neyt.org, in person at the NEYT Box Office, or by phone (802) 246-6398 from 12-5pm on Wednesdays. The show plays at New England Youth Theatre, 100 Flat St. Brattleboro.
New England Youth Theatre is an accessible theater, with accommodations for wheelchairs, and Assistive Listening Devices for patrons who are hard of hearing.
This show was made possible through the generous support of the Trust Company of Vermont, Berkley & Veller Greenwood Country Realtors, and Europa IT.
New England Youth Theatre is also supported by Foard Panel, the Vermont Children’s Trust Fund, Vermont Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.