Main Street Players presents School House Rock Live

From press release

BELVIDERE, Ill.—School House Rock Live is based on the Emmy Award-winning American series of animated musical educational short films that taught an entire generation that “Knowledge is Power.” The series ran during the Saturday morning children’s programming on the ABC television network for 21 years from 1973 to 1986, and was revived in 1992 to 1999.

School House Rock originated as a commercial advertising venture by David McCall when the idea came to him after he noticed one of his sons was having trouble in school remembering the multiplication tables, but knew the lyrics to many current rock songs. The first song recorded was “Three Is A Magic Number,” written by Bob Dorough.

Produced by the Main Street Players of Boone County and directed by Jim Crow, the play tells the story of Ms. Morton, a young teacher nervously anticipating her first day on the job. As the story unfolds, the characters of School House Rock come alive. They show her through music and dance, and grammar, math, history, science, social studies and political science all she needs to know to teach her own students with imagination and confidence. The songs are all the upbeat, toe-tapping ones from the cartoon series, including “Conjunction Junction,” “Unpack Your Adjectives,” “Interjections” and many, many more.

The play features many guest performers, including Miss Boone County 2010, Savannah Peters; Boone County Treasurer Curt Newport and his wife Becky Newport; three members from the award-winning Rock River Sound Women’s Barbershop Chorus; as well as performers of all ages beginning at age 6 and maybe even a local teacher or two! The musical direction is by Andrew Hudson, choreography by Tamara Woodrow and the stage manager is Clara Krumrei.

The cast members include Jordyn Burritt, Sean Carlson, Nicholas Cordonnier, Andrew T. Crow, Cathy Cusick, Madelyn Deardorff, Denise Gorski, Addie and Zach Hoegberg, Katarina and Makayla Janeway, Alysha Keating, Kayla, Chloe & Sheri Konieczki, Donna Melcher, Dayna Neidich, Becky and Curt Newport, Savannah Peters, Mikey and Shannon Riley, Mary Ann Suprenant, Paul Vander Vennet, Gina and Madalynn Visser, and Molly and Trevor Young.

Don’t miss this music-filled, entertaining show for all ages—both those who remember the Saturday morning School House Rock cartoon series and the new generations who will love the music and dancing.

Performances appropriately coincide with National Education Week and run Nov. 12-21. Times are Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m., with an additional 2 p.m. matinee Saturday, Nov. 20. All performances are at the newly-renovated Community Building Complex of Boone County at 111 W. First St., Belvidere, Ill. Ticket prices are $14, $12 for 65 and older, and $5 for students.

School House Rock Live was originally adapted and produced for the stage by Theatre BAM from the series created by George Newall and Tom Yohe. The book was written by Scott Ferguson, George Keating and Kyle Hall, and music and lyrics are by Lynn Ahrens, Bob Dorough, Dave Frishberg and Kathy Mandry.

Main Street Players is a non-profit community theater organization celebrating its 16th year. For information about their February show Sex Please, We’re Sixty and May production of Bleacher Bums, or to make reservations, contact the Players on their website at mainstreetplayersofboonecounty.com or call 1-800-741-2963.