Storybook Musical Theatre, one of the Philadelphia area’s premiere children’s theater and the winner of Nickelodeon’s 2009 Parents Pick Award for Best Theater for Kids in the Philadelphia area, will present its 18th season of three original musicals. The tales are based on beloved fairy tales by Carlo Collodi, the Grimm Brothers, and Madame de Beaumont and all involve “change” of some type. The Abington based, non-profit, professional, Equity children’s theatre will present performances at two locations in the Philadelphia area.

Storybook’s season opener follows a naive, wooden puppet as he learns many lessons during his mischievous adventures. “Pinocchio,” an original adaptation by Patricia Goldberg, Storybook’s Artistic Director, is based on the classic tale by Carlo Collodi. Kevin Arruda composed its original music. “Pinocchio” will perform from December 16 to 30, 2009 at the Mitchell Performing Arts Center, 800 Tomlinson Road, Bryn Athyn, PA. (Huntingdon Valley). “Pinocchio” then concludes its run from January 5 to 9, 2010 at the Bluett Theater at St. Joseph’s University, 54th & Overbrook Av, in Philadelphia. The musical tells the story of a unique puppet created by a master puppet maker. Pinocchio has the desire to be transformed into a real boy. A clever fox, shrewd cat, conniving carnival owner, and giant whale, all stand in his way. Will a little blue fairy dust help him achieve his goal?

The second show, involving change, tells the tale of an enchanted prince who is turned into a frog and forced to live in a polluted pond. “The Frog Prince,” a musical based on the Grimm Brothers’ story, will be presented March 1 to March 14, 2010 at the Mitchell Performing Arts Center in Bryn Athyn, PA. The book is by Patricia Goldberg with music by Jeff Reim. The story follows a spoiled princess who discovers that a frog is living in her disheveled, overgrown garden pond. The frog has to befriend the princess in order to change back to his original princely form by having her kiss him. With her selfish attitude and his stubbornness, it does not seem likely this infamous kiss will happen. The story also teaches a lesson about respecting the environment along with the creatures that inhabit it.

The final offering of the season will be the romantic tale of “Beauty and the Beast,” based on the original story written by Madame de Beaumont. This is one of Storybook’s most popular musicals. It tells of a young girl who is willing to sacrifice her own freedom and happiness in order to save the life of her father. In doing so, she and everyone around her, learn the true meaning of love and that a person’s character often outweighs their external looks. This musical is also by the writing team of Goldberg and Arruda. “Beauty and the Beast” first plays from May 11 to 15, 2010 at St. Joseph University’s Bluett Theater, then from May 25 to 30 at the Mitchell Performing Arts Center. It will conclude with a summertime run at the Mitchell Center from July 27 to August 7, 2010. The well-known tale story begins with an arrogant prince being changed into a beast. He is destined to live as a monster unless he can convince someone to love him as a beast. Can Beauty find the good within the beast and learn to love someone for his character and not his appearance?

Individual tickets for all Storybook shows are $10.00 for children and $12.00 for adults. School and group discounts of up to 30% are available, as is a reduced rate 3-show subscription plan. Show times vary with each production. All Storybook shows are appropriate for ages 3 and older, and everyone gets to meet the cast for a handshake, photo, or autograph after every performance. For information, to obtain a seasonal brochure, or book a group or school trip, call Storybook Musical Theatre at 215.659.8550 or visit its web site at: www.storybookmusical.org.

Storybook’s mission is the cultural enrichment and education of children (as young as the age of 3) and their families by introducing them to original musical adaptations based on fairy tales, folklore and children’s literature. It hopes to stimulate young imaginations and help develop a life-long appreciation of theater by developing the theater going audience of the future.