Posted by Jacqui Bonner | 03/04/2016
Critically acclaimed The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show returns to select theatres in New South Wales and Queensland in 2016.
MEDIA RELEASE March 2016
Following sold out audiences to over 18 000 young people in 2015, the critically acclaimed The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show returns to select theatres in New South Wales and Queensland in 2016.
This Australian show excites, educates and entertains new readers and first-time theatre-goers, while for those who grew up with these books will delight in experiencing one of the most popular children’s books ever written.
“A KNOCKOUT SUCCESS”
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show is based on the genius of children’s literature, Eric Carle’s incredible stories that come to life on stage in this enchanting show. The show features a menagerie of 75 enchanting puppets that faithfully adapts four of Eric Carle’s beloved books for the stage: The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse, Mister Seahorse, The Very Lonely Firefly and, of course, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
“I hope the performances will be enjoyed by many and that the colorful characters will bring comfort and joy to all who see the stories that have been so carefully produced. It is uplifting to see such beautiful and cheerful works inspired by my characters! I am delighted by the puppets, and am honored to work with the creative team – Thank you, for bringing my stories to life for the stage. I hope my books – and this show – will inspire you and your imagination.” Eric Carle
Producers Jonathan Rockefeller and Michael Sieders are both thrilled to be entrusted with transforming these beloved books into a theatrical event for children.
“Beautiful, rhythmic and faithful to the author’s works …a triumph “
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a seminal children’s book, one that has introduced generations of children into the wonderful world of storytelling. And now, we have the opportunity to do the very same – to introduce a whole new generation to the story telling through theatre, for many this will be their first experience and we want to make it a magical one. To faithfully take a book that means so much to so many people, and create a new interpretation for the stage is both a privilege and an honour.” Jonathan Rockefeller
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show is an adventure into the world of Eric Carle, audiences are transported into a giant pop up book filled with amazing characters from an 8ft red crocodile, a life size yellow cow, an under water world filled with all types of sea creatures to a three meter beautiful butterfly and the hero of the show The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show aims to excite new readers and new theatre goers, while taking every generation on a trip back into their childhood to reclaim their imagination.
There will also be a range of activities that will accompany the show including a selection of signed lithographs from Eric Carle Studios. These beautiful art works will be on display in the foyers. There will also be an activity zone for kids to stick around after the show.
“Children were beside themselves with delight and awe!”
Presented by JWR Productions Australia & Michael Sieders Presents
Created by Jonathan Rockefeller Director Naomi Edwards Producer Michael Sieders Set Designer James Browne Puppets created by Puppet Kitchen Costume Designer Andrea Espinoza Lighting Designer Nicholas Rayment Composer / Sound Designer Nate Edmondson and Steven Baker.
Friday 15th – Sunday 17th April 2016
10am & 12pm daily
6pm show on Friday 15th
Tuesday 26th – Thursday 28th April 2016
10am & 12pm daily
6pm show on Wednesday 27th (GP)
2:30pm show on Thursday
Relaxed performance 10am Thursday 28th
For all 2016 tour venues please visit here
Show Duration: 50 minutes
Children under the age of 2 are free but must sit on their parent/guardian’s lap.
For all booking details please visit the tickets page at hungrycaterpillarshow.com
FOR INFORMATION OR TO ARRANGE INTERVIEWS PLEASE CONTACT
Jacqui Bonner jb@jacquibonnermarketing.com or on 0411 473 198
TO DOWNLOAD THIS MEDIA RELEASE PLEASE CLICK HERE
ARTISTS INFORMATION AND BIOGRAPHIES
Eric Carle, Author and Illustrator
Acclaimed creator of brilliantly illustrated and innovatively designed picture books for very young children, Eric Carle has illustrated more than seventy books, many best sellers, most of which he also wrote, and more than 127 million copies of his books have sold around the world. His best-known work, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, now-classic and favourite of millions of readers has been translated into 60 languages and sold over 38 million copies since it was first published in 1969.
Jonathan Rockefeller, Creator and Executive Producer
Jonathan’s raison d’être is to entertain and push boundaries, combining a career in film, theatre, puppetry, television, commercials and music video. Aside from the magical journey of creating The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show, with Eric Carle Studio, Jonathan co-wrote and originally produced the puppet-parody show Thank you for being a friend, featuring Miami’s most famous broads (The Golden Girls) which has since been licensed for further productions worldwide.
Other recent projects include the documentary ROAD TO PRIDE ROCK:The Making of the Lion King and the screenplay Coming of Age developed with Screen New South Wales and the Dungog Film Festival’s In the Raw program. Accolades include Cannes Lion nomination in addition to multiple Clio and Media Federation Awards, High Commendations at Australian Cinematographer’s Guild [ASC], Best Television Current Affairs at the National Media Awards for the unvarnished documentary about life on the street in Boy from the Blue Room, and ‘Best Unproduced Screenplay’ at the MTV Awards for Satisfaction, a satirical tale of becoming an assistant on the world’s most expensive perfume commercial.
Naomi Edwards is a theatre director whose diverse practice covers opera, theatre, and theatre for and by young people, education and community arts. Her current projects include The Waiting Room exploring the history of IVF with playwright Kylie Trounson, in development with Melbourne Theatre Company, writing and directing a new opera for 3 – 8 year olds called When Moon Dust Falls, commissioned by Victorian Opera.
She was the first Artistic Director Residency with Patch Theatre Company. A recent recipient of the Gloria Dawn/Gloria Payten and Mike Walsh Fellowship, she participated in the Lincoln Centre’s Directors Lab in New York. Her recent production of Cautionary Tales for Children received a Helpmann nomination for Best Children’s Production.
Naomi is now the current Artistic Director of Adelaide based Patch Theatre Company, one of Australia’s most distinguished children’s theatre companies.
Puppet Kitchen is a full-service puppet design, build, and performance studio in New York’s East Village, founded in 2008 by Emily DeCola, Michael Schupbach and Eric Wright. The PK trio brings a multidisciplinary, “soup-to-nuts” approach to everything we do.
As designers, directors, performers, and builders, the Puppet Kitchen blends style with engineering to create dynamic visual stories. Our fluency in many puppetry styles, including marionettes, TV-style, direct manipulation, shadows, and toy theatre, allows us to create just the right puppet approach to every project. Our work has been featured in a variety of media: theatre, TV, advertising, web, opera and dance, to name a few.
Some of our favourite collaborative partners and clients include The Public Theatre, H&M, The Disney Channel, Twisted Pixel Games, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, New York City Opera, Mills Entertainment, Folkmanis Puppets, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, The Bronx Zoo, Disney Theme Parks, PBS, TheaterWorks USA, The HERE Theatre, CollegeHumor.com, Leslie Feist, Ensemble Studio Theatre, and Dance Theatre Workshop.
Our original production series PK Presents creates original programming for all ages with puppetry and music. Our repertoire ranges from What Are You Eating? a show about food politics for adults to Four Seasons in Buenos Dairies, a goofy but sincere bovine “Bonnie & Clyde” caper for young audiences based on Astor Piazzolla’s tangos, to the upcoming Pet vs Man — an improvised debate show pitting pet owners against puppet versions of their household companions.
Michael is a graduate from the University of Western Sydney’s Theatre Theory and Practice degree in 2002. Michael has worked on various theatre and film productions as a production manager, writer, producer and director. Michael has also held the position of the Operations Manager for the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA).
Michael’s most recent theatre credits include Associate Producer S-27 by Sarah Grochala (Griffin Independent 2010), Producer Fool for Love by Sam Shepard (B Sharp 2010), Producer The Brothers Size by Tarell Alvin McCraney (Griffin Independent 2011), Producer The Coming World by Christopher Shinn (Darlinghurst Theatre Company 2011), Producer Porn. Cake by Vanessa Bates (Griffin Independent 2012), Producer Songs for the Fallen by Sheridan Harbridge (Rock Surfers Theatre Comapny 2012, The Reginald Season 2013 and Brisbane Festival 2013). In 2014 Michael produced the World Premiere production of Every Second by Vanessa Bates as part of Darlinghurst Theatre Company’s 2014 season in their new space, The Eternity Playhouse.
Michael has also produced four tours for Critical Stages as their NSW producer from 2011 – 2013, and two national tours as producer for Performing Lines.