OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR SCHOOLS   

April 3, 2006

Dear Educator,

“Watch Out! Or The Music Will Get You! “ had a very successful “premiere”

March 24^th (2006) at PS 199.   This Musical Presentation is now being offered to all Elementary Public Schools of New York City.

Produced by Opera New York with funding from The Department of Cultural Affairs, “Watch Out! Or The Music Will Get You” is celebration of all kinds of music and helps children understand that it is just fine to like opera, rock and roll, jazz and blues, country western music and music theatre.  It also teaches them diversity and similarities of family, hopes and aspirations.

Staged and choreographed, by Opera New York’s artistic director, Judith Fredricks,  (who recently staged the presentation for Las Vegas and will be staging it next year for the Music Theatre Center in Washington DC) the show includes dance forms (Character, Jazz, and Ballet) as well as charming delightful dialogue and a beautiful original score, encompassing all styles of music, but leaning towards the classical.  

“Watch Out! Or The Music Will Get You” was commissioned by the Seattle Opera Association. It has had several productions mounted not only in the Seattle schools, but also throughout the states of Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Nevada and parts of California.

The show is performed by young NYC music theatre professionals, (two separate casts have been rehearsed), consisting of a young female actor/singer/dancer  (soprano), a young male actor/singer/dancer (baritone), a “stage Manager” who participates, handling “props” and joining in the singing, and a pianist. 

This show is simple to bring into schools, requiring very little preparation.  It can be done in a “Multi-purpose room”, or theatre, and requires only a piano, extra bench and a table. All props are provided by Opera New York.  The show is 35 minutes long.

“WatchOut!” is available throughout this spring and again during the 2006-2007 school year. 

While this show will stay available, additional shows for this same age group as well as shows appropriate for high school students, will be prepared for presentation spring of 2007.  These shows will include 3 productions that can inter-connect with other programs/classes in the schools.  These   productions will include  “Vincent” based on the letters of Vincent Van Gogh (Art Dept), “Rappaccini’s Daughter” based on the Nathaniel Hawthorne novella (American Lit), and Mary Shelly’s “Frankenstein”, also literature.   All of these shows are cross-over pieces, (between opera and music theatre) except for “Frankenstein”, which is a rock opera with classical underpinnings.   Both “Vincent” and “Rappaccini’s Daughter” were originally produced by Opera New York, and received outstanding reviews from the New York Times, New Yorker Magazine and the International Press Assc. (IPA) during their Off-Broadway runs.    “Frankenstein” will have its’ first production Off-Broadway this summer  (July  (2006), and then anticipates a European production.   The Librettist/Composer of all three pieces is Robert Mitchell, resident composer of Opera New York.  Mr. Mitchell has agreed to adapt the three pieces for schools, making them both age and length appropriate.   We are very excited to have these shows to present and make available to the Public Schools of New York City.

The cost for bringing “Watch Out!”  in to schools is 500 dollars per performance.   This just

barely covers salaries of performers and transportation.  (The casts are totally professional)  If

this is not workable for you, we would be happy to discuss this with you and mutually look for

corporate or private sponsorship for your school.   We are currently seeking grants to make this

show and subsequent shows more affordable to you.  

If you need a review of this show, you may contact The Hon. Gale Brewer and her office, (or the

children of PS 199) who are most graciously supporting us. 

We know from experience that the children from your school will love this production.

                        It is also enchanting for adults as well.   It could even be a family evening for your school.

                        For more information, and to book the show please call

Judith Fredricks, Opera New York, 212-580-7336 Or you may communicate via email at  artisticdirector@operany.com

Thank you for your time and attention.  We look forward to hearing from you. 

Sincerely,

Judith Fredricks

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