originally published: 11/20/2014 Pushcart Players, New Jersey's Emmy nominated and award-winning touring theatre for young audiences presents "Holiday Tales" at Kupferberg Center For the Arts, Queens College, Flushing NY on Thursday, December 4 at 10:00 and 11:45 am. This magical musical warms the hearts of family audiences as they reflect on the true meaning and spirit of the season.

"Holiday Tales" is a multi-cultural collection of stories that celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa and Chanukah. The production visits O. Henry's 'The Gift of the Magi;' an original scene in Nigeria entitled 'The Kwanzaa Kite;' a story based on the wisemen of Chelm folklore called 'The Chanukah Miracle;' and E.T.A. Hoffmann's 'The Nutcracker.' Every tale reflects the miracles of the holidays.

"As for miracles?" noted Ruth Fost, Pushcart co-founder and the production's playwright, "They are within us all and at the heart of each story. Miracles are the gifts of love, kindness, caring and sharing."

Pushcart Players artistic director Paul Whelihan directed the production, based on original staging and choreography by Fost and Susie Paplow. Whelihan has directed, stage-managed and performed off-Broadway (47th Street Theater, 59 East 59 Theatres, NY Fringe Festival) and regionally (Royal Poincianna Playhouse, Broward Center for the Arts, Centenary Stage, The Growing Stage, Luna Stage Company, Forum Cultural Arts Center, Quillo Arts Center, Dreamcatcher Rep) in musicals, dramas, original works and locally produced television, film and web series projects.

"Holiday Tales" cast features Melanie Beck, Melissa Cox, JD Lynch and Anthony M. Stokes. Ms. Beck received her BFA from Ithaca College and recently played Izzy in "Cloned! The Musical," which premiered during the 2014 New York Musical Theatre Festival, winning the "Best of Fest" award. Other credits include the Off-Broadway production and tour of TheatreWorks USA's "Skippyjon Jones," "Spelling Bee" at the Hangar Theatre, and the regional premier of "Grace" at Lake Dillon Theatre in CO.

Melissa Cox is a master in corporate and organizational communication from Fairleigh Dickinson University where she also studied Musical Theater. Cox performed the role of Beth in "Little Women" in Maplewood NJ and Martha in "Spring Awakening" and Sister in "Damn Yankees." JD Lynch is a graduate of DeSales University who portrays the Mad Hatter, the Caterpillar and many other roles in Pushcart's "Alice in Wonderland," now touring the region to critical acclaim. Anthony Michael Stokes returns from South Korea where he worked as a teaching artist. A trained cellist and puppeteer, his recent credits include Hondo/Walt in "Aisle Six" (2013NYFringe), the first national tour of "Clifford," originating the roles of Charley/Mr. Partland, Alcestis (American Thymele Theatre), Admetus' Servant, Romeo and Bernadette/Romeo.

Larry Hochman musically arranged "Holiday Tales." Hochman won both the Tony and the Drama Desk awards for best orchestrations for "The Book of Mormon." He received Tony nominations for "The Scottsboro Boys," "Monty Python's Spamalot," (Hochman also received Drama Desk nominations for both), Fiddler on the Roof (2004 revival) and "A Class Act."

Pushcart Players has traveled over 2 million miles nationally and abroad since 1974 to serve more than 8 million children and their families with meaningful theatre. From the White House to the little red schoolhouse, this dynamic company has been nominated for an Emmy, and has received numerous state and private awards for excellence and innovation. A cast of professional Equity actors and stage managers come with complete scenery, lighting and sound systems, making every performance adaptable to any location.

Kupferberg Center for the Arts is located on Queens College at 65-30 Kissena Boulevard, Flushing, NY. Tickets are $9.00 standard and can be ordered by calling 718.266.0202 or online at info@aosny.com. Visit the Arts on Stage NY website at www.artsonstageny.com.

 

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