For Immediate Release Contact: Becki Gervin, 408.961.

5814
Oct. 7, 2009 bgervin@montalvoarts.org

Montalvo Arts Center Announces 2009-10 Family Performing Arts Series

Hamlet, Charlotte’s Web, Dr. Seuss and Charlie Brown

highlight exciting season of theatre and art workshops for children

SARATOGA, Calif. – Montalvo Arts Center announces its 2009-2010 Family Performing Arts Series,
kicking off with “Hamlet” Nov. 1 and continuing through the spring. With 10 performances ranging in
subjects from the environment to magic flutes to the importance of taking baths, and including
favorites such as Dr. Seuss and Charlie Brown, this season’s Family Performing Arts Series promises
to be the most diverse yet.

Each year, theatre companies from across the United States bring children’s performing arts events
to Montalvo, where thousands of families enjoy the wide range of performances. The Family
Performing Arts Series provides a venue for children and their parents to experience the performing
arts together in the intimate 300-seat Carriage House Theatre.

New this year is Montalvo’s PLUS ART! Series offering fun hands-on art projects that explore themes
found in the Family Performing Arts Series and designed especially for family audiences.

“We have expanded our arts education programs for children this year because Montalvo believes
that the arts are an intrinsically important part of a child’s development,” said Montalvo Executive
Director Angela McConnell. “We are delighted to offer this season of outstanding children’s theatre
and performing arts -- and our new PLUS ART! workshops -- to engage the many families in our
community in high quality arts experiences.”

Montalvo members and their families are invited to meet the cast at select post-performance
receptions.

Tickets are on sale now: $20 adults/$10 children; Members $16 adults; $8 children.
Please call Montalvo’s Box Office at 408.961.5858 or visit www.montalvoarts.org for more
information. Most tickets also are available at Ticketmaster.com.

Hamlet
Sun, Nov 1, 1 pm, CH

"To be or not to be -- that is the question."

This ghostly tale of a prince whose royal family is disrupted by murder and corruption is considered to
be one of Shakespeare's finest commentaries on morality and the human condition. Set in the
medieval court of Denmark, this murder mystery features Shakespeare's most famous soliloquy – “to
be or not to be” – and other familiar text. Beautiful scenery and period costumes conjure up a
medieval Danish castle, and a professionally choreographed sword fight is sure to captivate
audiences of all ages.

Charlotte’s Web
Sun, Nov 15, 1 pm & 3 pm, CH

Based on E.B. White's beloved classic, this production of Charlotte's Web tells the story of the
friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray spider named Charlotte. Wilbur has a
problem: how to avoid winding up as pork chops! Charlotte, a fine writer and true friend, hits on a plan
to fool Farmer Zuckerman - she will create a miracle. Spinning the words "Some Pig" in her web,
Charlotte's weaves a solution that not only makes Wilbur a prized pig, but also ensures his place on
the farm forever. TheatreworksUSA brings this treasured tale to life, featuring endearing farm animals
and explores bravery, selfless love and the true meaning of friendship.
Note: A members-only meet-and-greet with the cast will follow the 3:00 p.m. show. Member
information is available at www.montalvoarts.org/membership.

The Elves and the Shoemaker – PLUS ART!

Sun, Dec 13, 1 pm & 3 pm CH

Laugh when two merry elves arrive at a small village in the Black Forest to discover a poor
shoemaker and his wife who clearly need assistance. Their cleverness saves the shoemaker from a
bleak and unhappy holiday in this CTC classic, adored by both children and adults all over the world.

PLUS ART!
The Elves and the Shoemaker are all sure to agree: Handmade gifts are the best kind! Make
something special for a special someone in this holiday themed drop-in art workshop.

Side Veranda, Historic Villa :: 12:00 - 5:00 pm :: $15 :: Available in advance through the Montalvo Box
Office or drop-in

Harry the Dirty Dog

Sun, Feb 7, 2009, 1 pm CH

Harry has everything a little white dog with black spots could want. There’s just one problem: he
hates taking baths. He hates them so much, in fact, that one morning he runs away. After a wonderful
day spent playing in the dirt, Harry gets so grubby that he turns into a little black dog with white
spots…and returns home to find that his family doesn’t recognize him!

ArtsPower’s new musical, based on the classic book by Gene Zion with illustrations by Margaret Bloy
Graham, captures both the whimsical humor and touching dedication to family found in Harry’s story.

Stellaluna
Thu, Feb 11, 2009, 6:30 pm CH

Baby bat Stellaluna's life is right on schedule – until an owl attack knocks her into a nest of baby birds
and her whole world is turned upside down. Literally. Stellaluna is adopted into the nest on the
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condition that she acts like a bird, not a bat! Soon she has learned to behave like a good bird should:
eating bugs and standing right side up. Based on the book by Janell Cannon, Stellaluna strikes just
the right balance between accurate portrayal of bats and the fantasy that dramatizes their
characteristics. Anyone who has ever been asked to be someone they're not will understand the
conflicts – and possibilities – Stellaluna faces.

The Man Who Planted Trees – PLUS ART!

Sat, Feb 13, 2009, 11 am & 1 pm CH

Based on the beloved fable and book by Jean Giono, The Man Who Planted Trees is a unique blend
of comedy and puppetry that tells the inspiring ecologically oriented tale of a French shepherd who
sets out with his dog to plant a forest and transform a barren wasteland.

Elzéard Bouffier devotes his entire life to reforesting a desolate portion of Provence in Southern
France. By planting 100 acorns each day before, through, and after both World Wars, Bouffier
transforms a sorrowful place into one full of life and joy - a total transformation of the landscape from
one devoid of life to one filled with the scent of flowers, the songs of birds and fresh, flowing water.
Scotland's Puppet State Theatre Company brings to life this uplifting and unforgettable story and
reminds us of the difference one man (and his dog!) can make in the world.

PLUS ART!
As the man and his dog know, trees are truly spectacular and even have the ability to transform arid
places into desert oases! Learn to paint trees and plant trees in this fun hands-on, drop-in workshop.
Take home your planted seeds to nurture into a thriving tree.

Side Veranda, Historic Villa :: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm :: $10 :: Available in advance through the Montalvo
Box Office or drop-in

Dr. Seuss’s The Butter Battle Book

Sun, March 7, 2009, 1 pm & 3 pm CH

Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s 106th birthday at Montalvo!

Dr. Seuss’s The Butter Battle Book is a satirical allegory depicting a deadly war based on a senseless
conflict over breakfast food. Explaining the very serious differences between the Zooks and the
Yooks, a grandpa tells his grandchild the unspeakable truth:

"It's high time that you knew of the terribly horrible thing that Zooks do. In every Zook house and
every Zook town every Zook eats his bread with the butter side down!"

With playful comedy, Cirque du Soleil-style costumes, and wonderful choreography, Fou Fou Ha!
creates a visually stunning spectacle teaching about intolerance and how tit-for-tat can quickly get out
of hand.

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Sun, March 21, 2009 1 pm & 3 pm CH

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Based on Charles M. Schultz’s classic comic strip, this 1999 revival of "You’re a Good Man, Charlie
Brown" bounces tunefully through a day in the life of the inept but ever hopeful Charlie Brown,
complete with his bossy friend, Lucy (“The Doctor is In”), her brainy brother Linus (“My Blanket and
Me”), Beethoven super-fan Schroeder, and savvy beagle, Snoopy. Will Charlie Brown ever fit in?
Come find out, and see why this sparkling musical won Tony Awards in 1999 for two of its stars:
Roger Bart (Snoopy) and Kristin Chenoweth (Sally).

The Banana Slug String Band – PLUS ART!

Thu, April 22, 2009, 6:30 pm CH

Happy 40th Birthday, Earth Day!

Fostering ecological awareness, The Banana Slug String Band promotes music as a powerful
instrument for honoring our world’s diversity while uniting people for the common good. With vocals,
guitars, mandolin, bass, harmonica, banjo and percussion, Slug songs range from rockin' boogies to
sensitive ballads; folk songs to reggae and rap.

The lovable Slugs – “Airy" Larry Graff, Doug "Dirt" Greenfield, "Solar" Steve Van Zandt and "Marine"
Mark Nolan – provide accurate information about natural history and science through music, theater,
puppetry and audience participation in this fun-filled interactive concert.

PLUS ART!

Join us in celebrating our beautiful world with these Earth-inspired art projects.

Earth Day Birthday guests are invited bring picnic dinners to eat on the grand Front Lawn and join us
for birthday cake at the Concessions stand! (Additional fee may apply.)

Side Veranda, Historic Villa :: 4:00 - 6:30 pm :: $10 :: Available in advance through the Montalvo Box
Office or drop-in

Mozart’s The Magic Flute

Sun, April 25, 1 pm CH

Prince Tamino and Princess Pamina are young lovers who use the powers of a magic flute to battle
the forces of evil that threaten to keep them apart. Set in an unknown location at an unknown time,
The Magic Flute tells the tale of characters who don't seem to know exactly who they are, where
they're going, or what they're going to do there — And while the story seems to be a clear-cut story of
good versus evil, it soon becomes confoundingly difficult to tell which is which!

Abridged and performed in English, Bay Shore Lyric Opera's adaptation of Mozart's brilliant comic
opera is the perfect way to introduce young audiences to the wonderful world of opera. A delight for
the whole family!

About Montalvo Arts Center

Montalvo Arts Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to forging meaningful connections between art,
artists and the communities it serves through creation, presentation and education in extraordinary ways
and settings. Located in Silicon Valley's Saratoga hills, Montalvo Arts Center occupies a Mediterranean-
style villa on 175 stunning acres, including an international artist residency program. The historic villa
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and grounds were left to the people of California by Senator James Phelan for the encouragement of art,
music, literature and architecture. In January 2005, the organization changed its name from "Montalvo" to
"Montalvo Arts Center" to commemorate its 75th year as an arts center and to better communicate its
mission to expanding local, national and international audiences. For more information about Montalvo
Arts Center, call (408) 961-5800 or visit http://www.montalvoarts.org/.
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