MTH ON STAGE NEWSLETTER: Spring 2024

We are pleased to welcome you to the definitive resource into the wonderful world of MTH theatrical productions across the world. Every issue will bring you behind the scenes information about the musical adaptations of the beloved books for professional theatres, classrooms kids, and families.

Our first issue features a Children's Book Review Podcast with Mary Pope Osbore and Will Osborne talking about MTH On Stage, a spotlight on Orlando Shakes Theatre, and ways to stay connected to MTH On Stage all year!
Thank you for being loyal followers!

BEHIND THE SCENES: Mary Pope Osborne and Will Osborne on Magic Tree House On Stage

"Live theatre stimulates children’s imaginations in ways nothing else can. And when the performance features characters kids know and love from a book, the connections they make are truly magical!" ~ Mary Pope Osborne, renowned author of the bestselling Magic Tree House (MTH) book series.

Mary and her husband, playwright Will Osborne, recently launched Magic Tree House On Stage: MTHOnStage.com, a licensing website featuring original TYA musicals based on MTH books.

It began with an adaptation of MTH Christmas in Camelot, a musical adventure full of rollicking tunes and rich orchestration. Eight adaptations followed including A Night in New Orleans featuring a young Louis Armstrong and music by legendary composer Allen Toussaint; A Big Day for Baseball which transports kids to 1947 for Jackie Robinson's first day; Winter of the Ice Wizard, a fantastical play with music influenced by Norse and Celtic mythology; Showtime with Shakespeare introducing kids to the most famous playwright of all time; and A Ghost Tale for Mister Dickens featuring an encounter with Charles Dickens. There are also four adaptations designed for performance by classrooms.

Mary and Will shared their personal perspectives of adapting the hugely popular books to the stage in a Children's Book Review interview.

Mary: "My part is to go see each show, and it always blows my mind. It’s always better than my book, frankly. What I care about most is that they keep the life lessons going from the books with a beautiful kind of uplifting feeling… There’s about 100 songs they’ve done, and any one of them stands alone as inspiring and wonderful for children."

Will: "We love watching kids watching these shows come to life on stage. It’s a cliche in theatre to ask, why do you think they call it a play? Theater is play—full of joy."

SPOTLIGHT THEATER:  Orlando Shakes

Actor Johnathan Arvelo (Jackie Robinson in the world premiere production at Orlando Shakes)
Photo credit Tony Firriolo 

Orlando Shakes' mission is to enrich our community with engaging professional theater, inspiring educational experiences, and thought-provoking new plays. Over the years, they have produced four full scale productions of Magic Tree House musicals, including the world premieres of Showtime With Shakespeare and A Big Day for Baseball.

In partnership with Mary Pope Osborne's Classroom Adventures Program, Orlando Shakes has distributed over 70,000 copies of MTH books to public school children.

Photo credit Tony Firriolo

The World Premiere Orlando Shakes production creative team included:

Director/Choreographer: Nicolette Quintero

Musical Director Evan Jones

Cultural Coordinator: Roberta Emerson

Set: Chris McKinney

Lights: Philip Lupo

Costumes: Kristina Tollefson**

Sound: Britt Sandusky

Stage Manager: Zane Tesfazghi

Cast

Actor 1: Jack Sterling Street

Actor 2: Annie Kate Milazzo

Actor 3: Granny, Ensemble Anita Whitney Bennett

Actor 4: Olive, Ensemble Brianna Collazo

Actor 5: Otis, Ensemble Kadesh Lewis

Actor 6: Team Manager, Ensemble Drew Stark

Actor 7: Jackie Robinson Johnathan Arvelo

Actor 8: Ensemble Andre Braza

Actor 9: Ensemble Giuseppe Pipicella

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