MADELINE'S CHRISTMAS Comes to The Rose Theater, 11/23-12/16

Pack your bags and grab a beret when The Rose Theater takes audiences away to Paris in Madeline's Christmas, Nov. 23 - Dec. 16, 2012. Kids age four and older will be drawn into this charming musical featuring Ludwig Bemelmans' beloved Madeline, her school girl friends, and teacher Miss Clavel as they embark on a magical journey.

Before the students can get ready for holiday fun, everyone except Madeline comes down with the flu. Too ill to travel, nobody can go home for Christmas. Who's the one to take charge? The brave girl in the yellow hat! Can Madeline help her friends recover and capture some of the holiday spirit for her school?

"Madeline is such a strong character. Who doesn't love her precocious spirit and brave attitude?" said playwright Jennifer Kirkeby. "Writing this musical gave me the opportunity to develop all of the girls' characters, as well as Miss Clavel, and the Rug Merchant."

Kirkeby, who teamed up with composer Shirley Mier, begins the play much like the beginning of the book, in which Miss Clavel is taking the twelve little girls for a walk. "I tried to give each of the girls a distinct personality in which to shine," said Kirkeby. "And of course the adult characters have their special moments, as well!"

Based on the classic story by Ludwig Bemelmans, Kirkeby and Mier's fantastic songs prove that it's "the season of miracles," just when Madeline needs one. Audiences young and old will love this Christmas charmer brought to life by the superb Rose Theater actors.

"The actors will study French dialects during rehearsals, just to help capture the French quality of the show," said director Kevin Ehrhart. "We wanted to stay as close as possible to the spirit in which Ludwig Bemelmans created his works-I think the result will be an unforgettable show."

Madeline's Christmas will run Nov. 23rd through Dec. 16th with performances on Fridays at 7 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm. An additional performance will be presented on Thursday, Dec. 13th at 7 pm. The show is 75 minutes with intermission and recommended for children ages 4 to adult.

For tickets call (402) 345-4849 or purchase online at www.rosetheater.org. Reservations are required, with prices from $20-25. Discount ticket vouchers for main floor seating are available at all area Hy-Vee stores.

Pictured: Hayley Bryer as Madeline, Wendy Eaton as Miss Clavell and Lorin King as The Mouse