Berenstein Bears Launch Family Series at Westport Playhouse

Courtesy of Westport Country Playhouse

“The Berenstain Bears LIVE in Family Matters, The Musical” will launch the 2012-13 Family Festivities Series at Westport Country Playhouse on Sunday, Nov. 11 at 1 and 4 pm.

Tickets are $18. The new musical is an adaptation of three of The Berenstain Bears’ most beloved books: “The Berenstain Bears Learn about Strangers,” “The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food,” and “The Berenstain Bears’ Trouble at School.” Using the iconic stories and imagery of the original books, “The Berenstain Bears LIVE in Family Matters” stresses the importance of honesty, health, safety, and family. Adapted from the popular works by Stan and Jan Berenstain, and produced by Matt Murphy Productions, the presentation is recommended for ages 4 and up.

One hour before each performance, Westport’s Wakeman Town Farm will host a pre-show activity focused on healthy food. 

In conjunction with the Family Festivities Series, the Playhouse is hosting a book collection for Read to Grow, Inc., a statewide nonprofit organization that helps parents take an active role in their children's literacy development by providing free children's books to families with limited access and to community resources that serve them. At each Family Festivities performance, bins will be located in the Playhouse lobby for donations of gently used and new children’s books which will be given to families and programs in the greater Fairfield County area through Read to Grow.

The Family Festivities Series will continue with “Angelina Ballerina, The Musical,” on Sunday, Dec. 9, featuring a feisty little mouse with big dreams of becoming a prima ballerina. “Fancy Nancy, The Musical,” on Sunday, Jan. 27, finds Fancy Nancy and her friends auditioning for their very first show, “Deep Sea Dances”; “Junie B. Jones,” on Sunday, Feb. 10, stars outspoken, precocious, lovable Junie B. Jones in a new musical about new friends, new glasses, sugar cookies, and the annual kickball tournament; “How I Became a Pirate,” on Sunday, March 3, is a musical adventure about young Jeremy Jacob, who is recruited by Captain Braid Beard and his mates to join the pirate crew on a quest to bury their treasure; and “The Little Engine That Could™ Earns Her Whistle,” on Sunday, April 7, a new musical that portrays Watty Piper’s timeless tale about hard work, self-confidence, friendship, and believing that anything is possible. 

Everyone in the audience requires a ticket. For more information or tickets, call 203-227-4177, 1-888-927-7529, visit Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport; www.westportplayhouse.org.