A Salad of Stories in Salisbury

New York City-based Theatreworks USA will present Story Salad Production's musical medley of popular books for children, "Good Driving, Amelia Bedelia and Other Storybooks" in Walker Auditorium at the Hotchkiss School in Salisbury on Sunday, January 19 at 1 p.m. This mini-musical for families is a benefit for the Falls Village Day Care Center.

This one-hour, fast-paced salad of stories is tossed together by four multi-talented musical chefs, with live piano accompaniment. The performance features Good Driving, Amelia Bedelia by Herman Parish; Ira Says Goodbye by Bernard Waber; The Mysterious Giant of Barletta by Tomie dePaola; Alligators All Around by Maurice Sendak; Anansi and the Talking Melon by Eric A. Kimmel; Baby Rattlesnake, a Native American tale told by Te Ata and adapted by Lynn Moroney; and Jessica by Kevin Henkes.

Story Salad Productions was developed to introduce young audiences to a variety of storybooks, including both classic favorites and more recent selections, from around the world. The show is a musical revue wherein performers initially act as "chefs" in the opening and then become all the characters in the different stories presented. The show is directed by G. Wayne-Hoffman and produced by David M. Conte with music, adaptations and lyrics by Ron Kaehler and Albert Evans. It is the hope of this creative team to inspire and entertain children everywhere by combining the magic of theatre and the joy of literature.

"We are excited about presenting this performance that features so many beloved storybook characters," stated Margaret Bardot, director of Falls Village Day Care Center. "Tickets make a great gift, and it’s a nice change from giving more ‘stuff’ to children and families," she added.

Funds raised from the concert will help pay for various items needed for programs at the Falls Village Day Care Center. Such items include field trips, science materials, art supplies, sports and playground equipment, as well as books and music, to name a few.

Tickets are $14 for adults and $7 for children, and may be purchased by calling 860-824-5961 (credit card orders only), or by going to the Falls Village Day Care Center on Page Road off Route 7 in Falls Village; Village Deli Mart or Mountainside Cafe, also in Falls Village; Lindell's in North Canaan; the Wandering Moose Cafe and Baird's General Store in Cornwall; Sharon Pharmacy; or Oblong Books in Millerton. For more info call 860-824-5961.