(NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage: The Children's Theatre of New Jersey is currently presenting the New Jersey premiere of Arthur™ & Friends Make a Musical!  This production,based on the Arthur™ book series created by Marc Brown and adapted for the stage with Book & Lyrics by John Maclay and Music & Lyrics by Brett Ryback, runs weekends from March 8-24, 2024 at the Historic Palace Theatre. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

Big things are happening at Lakewood Elementary School! Mr. Ratburn’s class is asked to write and perform a big show for all of Elwood City. Everyone is so excited! Everyone, except for Arthur. What should he do? Arthur feels more nervous as the big performance gets closer and closer. With the help of his family and friends Buster, Brain, Francine, Muffy – and even little sister D.W. – Arthur learns the importance of being his best, unique self in this brand new musical.

This production is directed by Stephen L. Fredericks, The Growing Stage’s Founder/Executive Director with musical direction by Melinda Bass O’Neill and choreography by Cari Sanchez. The cast features Tyler Miranda (Carmela Full of Wishes) of Highland Falls, NY as Arthur; Sara Giacomini (Go, Dog. Go!) of Montclair, NJ as D.W; Davis Cameron Lemley (Ella Enchanted) of Cedar Grove as Mr. Ratburn/Others; Kiersten Morgan (Ella Enchanted) of Woodbridge, NJ  as Muffy/Others; Sydney Matthews  (TGS Debut) of Denville, NJ as Francine/Others; Jason Pumarada (Bunnyboy) of Union, NJ as Buster and Andy Danford (Land of Forgotten Toys) of Rockaway, NJ as The Brain/Others.

Arthur™ & Friends Make a Musical! runs March 8th through March 24th with performances on Saturdays at 4:00pm, Sundays at 2:00pm and a special opening night performance on Friday, March 8th at 7:30pm. All performances take place at the Historic Palace Theatre on Route 183 in Netcong, New Jersey.  Tickets are available for purchase online or by calling the Box Office at (973) 347-4946 to purchase tickets and season subscriptions. Group Rates are available for all their productions.

The Growing Stage-The Children’s Theatre of New Jersey is a non-profit professional performing arts center dedicated to theatre for young audiences. Through their programming they provide opportunities for all to learn and grow through participation in the arts.

Up next at The Growing Stage will be Elephant & Piggie's "We Are in a Play!" from May 3-19, 2024.Get ready for a musical experience, ripped from the pages of Mo Willems’ beloved, award-winning, best-selling children’s books, that will leave audiences doing the “Flippy Floppy Floory” dance all night long! In Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!”, Gerald and Piggie take to the stage in a rollicking adventure that is perfect for the entire family.

Here are more photos from "Arthur & Friends Make a Musical!" at The Growing Stage.

John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in photographing live theatre and music performances. For more than 15 years, John has photographed live events where he mastered the techniques of timing and capturing fast moving action under challenging lighting conditions. Currently, John has spent the last 3 years concentrating on photographing almost 200 theatre productions for over 70 different theatres. Click here for John's website.