PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Contact: Maryann Maslan
(510) 444.4755 x112
Now – March 15-16, 2008 E-mail: maryann@stagebridge.org
PHOTO (at http://www.stagebridge.org/chickensunday.htm):
(left to right) Donja Thomas, Agnes K. Lyons, Sidney
George Jr., Arianna Thomasberger,
Jeff Byers. PHOTO CREDIT: Howard Gerstein
World
Premiere of “Chicken Sunday” – the Musical!
The joyful and inspired story celebrates neighbors from
different cultures and generations who connect through the power of fried
chicken and Ukrainian eggs. Polacco’s
autobiographical story takes place in
Performances are at 3:00 p.m., March 15 and 16, Arts First
Oakland,
The intergenerational cast features local students Sidney
George Jr., 11, Raskob Learning School; Donja Thomas, 10, Peralta Elementary School; Maiyah Phelps, 12, Julia Morgan School for Girls; and, Arianna Thomasberger,13, Beacon Day School. Stagebridge senior performers from around the Bay Area
include Jeff Byers,
Josiah Polhemus, Stagebridge’s drama director, is a noted writer, director,
teacher and producer. He is also an award-winning filmmaker and actor. The
original music score is by Daniel Savio who has
performed with the San Francisco Mime Troupe, Alter Theatrea
and is currently a member of the band Plum Crazy. Bruce Bierman,
choreographer, is the artistic director of the Jewish Dance Theatre at
This production is funded by grants from the City of
In addition to the “Chicken Sunday” matinee and ice cream
social, the company will perform for more than 1,800 children in Bay Area
schools and provide curriculum guides to all teachers. Also, each spring Stagebridge sponsors a regional “Grandparents Tales Writing
Contest” to engage children in writing stories about their elders. This program
helps children improve literacy, writing, communication and social skills.
Stagebridge is the oldest senior
theatre company in the nation, based in
1978. The company's mission has been to narrow the gap
between the generations and to present positive images of older adults through the
medium of theatre arts classes, workshops, healthy aging programs and public
performance. The non-profit, intergenerational company has performed over 30
original plays for more than 300,000 people in clubs, senior centers,
hospitals, schools and theatres.
A pioneer in the field of healthy aging, Stagebridge
created the award winning Healthy Aging Program called “See Me!” to train
medical professionals to see older adults as people. Another first is a summer
Performing Arts Camp for adults over 50 held in July. Stagebridge
has been featured on ABC-TV, CNN, National Public Radio, in Modern Maturity and
the national Storytelling Magazine and at national and regional conferences.
PHOTO (at http://www.stagebridge.org/chickensunday.htm):
(left to right) Donja Minor, Agnes K. Lyons, Sidney
George Jr., Arianna Thomasberger,
Jeff Byers. PHOTO CREDIT: Howard Gerstein
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES:
STUDENT
ASSEMBLIES are one hour in length and held at:
11:30
a.m., Wednesday, March 5 & Friday, March 7
10:00
a.m., Wednesday, March 12
Redwood
CityVeteran’s Building
10:00
a.m. & 11:30 a.m., Friday, March 14
*
additional performances are scheduled, phone for times