Nazareth College Arts Center kicks off 2015 with TWO popular family musicals on January 17 and February 7

ROCHESTER, NY (12/23/2014)(readMedia)-- The Nazareth College Arts Center is proud to present Theatreworks USA: Skippyjon Jones on Saturday, January 17, 2015, at 12 and 2 p.m.; and Atlantic Theatre Company: Ivy + Bean: The Musical on Saturday, February 7, 2015, at 12 and 2 p.m.

Both 60-minute family musicals will be staged in the Callahan Theater; both will run without an intermission. Ticket holders may participate in a pre-performance activity one hour before the start of their ticketed show; see show information below for details.

Visit http://artscenter.naz.edu/newsroom/media-resources for photos.

THEATREWORKS USA: SKIPPYJON JONES

Based on the wildly popular book by Judy Schachner, Skippyjon Jones is an enchanting musical about unleashing your imagination and following your dreams.

Published in 2003, the book tells the story of a Siamese cat with large ears that make him look like a Chihuahua. He lives with his mother, Junebug; three sisters Jezebel, Jillyboo, and Ju Ju Bee; and Mrs. Tinkley, his family's human owner. Skippyjon Jones also has a group of imaginary Chihuahua friends he calls Los Chimichangos.

Schachner's popular title was selected for a special Read Aloud Award by the Association of Booksellers for Children and was named among the Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children by the National Education Association. Theatreworks USA is America's largest and most prolific professional, not-for-profit theater for family audiences, as well as one of the most honored theater companies of its kind.

Nazareth College Arts Center will present two performances of Theatreworks USA: Skippyjon Jones, suggested for children ages 4+ and their families, on Saturday, January 17, 2015, at 12 and 2 p.m. Both shows are 60 minutes without intermission. Ticket holders may also participate in a pre-performance activity (make your own animal mask) one hour before the start of their ticketed show (11 a.m. or 1 p.m.). The pre-performance activity is free; however, pre-registration through the Box Office is required (585-389-2170).

ATLANTIC THEATRE COMPANY: IVY + BEAN: THE MUSICAL

Produced by Maximum Entertainment and the Tony Award-winning Atlantic Theatre Company, Ivy + Bean: The Musical is based on the New York Times best-selling children's books about the challenges and joy of family and friendship by author Annie Barrows and illustrator Sophie Blackhall.

The popular series explores the unexpected friendship between two very different second graders-the wild and goofy Bean and the quiet, contemplative Ivy. From the moment they saw each other, the girls knew they would never like each other. But when Bean plays a joke on her sister, and needs a place to hide, Ivy comes to the rescue. And when the two become a team, there's mischief and laughter at every turn.

The original book was named an ALA Notable Children's Book; Editor's Choice, Best Books by Booklist; and the Best Children's Books/Best Early Chapter Books by Kirkus Reviews. The latest title in the series ranked #3 on Amazon's Best Books of 2013 list for ages 6–8.

Nazareth College Arts Center will present two performances of Atlantic Theatre Company: Ivy + Bean: The Musical, suggested for children ages 6+ and their families, on Saturday, February 7, 2015, at 12 and 2 p.m. Both shows are 60 minutes without intermission. Ticket holders may also participate in a pre-performance activity (make your own friendship bracelet) one hour before the start of their ticketed show (11 a.m. or 1 p.m.). The pre-performance activity is free; however, pre-registration through the Box Office is required (585-389-2170).

TICKETS

Tickets to Theatreworks USA: Skippyjon Jones and Atlantic Theatre Company: Ivy + Bean: The Musical are $17 and $20. For tickets, call – or visit – the Box Office: 585-389-2170 or order online: artscenter.naz.edu.

Subscriptions to the Nazareth College Arts Center 2014-2015 Season are still available through the Box Office; subscribers receive a 20% discount off single ticket prices and additional benefits when purchasing tickets to five or more different shows.

The Nazareth College Arts Center Box Office is located on campus at 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14618. Regular box office hours are Monday-Friday, 11am-5pm and 11am until curtain time on performance days.

SPONSOR INFORMATION

The Nazareth College Arts Center's 2014-2015 subscription series is sponsored by M&T Bank; Wendy's Restaurants of Rochester; and the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

ABOUT THE NAZARETH COLLEGE ARTS CENTER

Since 1967, the Nazareth College Arts Center has served as a venue and educational resource for students, educators, artists, and audiences of all ages to create, study, and experience the visual and performing arts. These cultural programs support the College's curriculum in music, art, and theatre arts, and provide area residents with opportunities to experience exceptional dance, international entertainment, family programming, music, musical theatre, and special events.

The Nazareth College Arts Center:

• is a nonprofit institution.
• is the premier presenter of world-class dance, children's theatre, and international entertainment in Rochester.
• attracts approximately 70,000 adults and children annually.
• houses the Nazareth College departments of art, music, and theatre arts, which present exceptional theatre productions, musicals, recitals, and art exhibitions each year (events are open to the public), while preparing students for successful careers in fields such as art, music, and drama education; visual communication design; studio art; film; creative arts therapy; acting; musical theatre; dance; technical theatre and design; music performance; and music business.
• serves as a venue for auditions, art classes, music lessons, recitals, fundraisers, lectures, community theater productions, camps, workshops, and graduations.
• offers a School Performance Series, which serves thousands of area K-12 students/teachers each year.
• is the performance home of Rochester City Ballet and world-renowned Garth Fagan Dance, as well as the home of the Bach Children's Chorus.
• is a state-of-the-art performing arts center located on a college campus.

For more information, visit artscenter.naz.edu.

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