Dallas Children's Theater on tour presents its 2011-2012 National Touring Production - adapted for the stage by Karen Abbott, music & lyrics by S-Ankh Rasa - June 22 - July 15, 2012

Dallas, TX -- The Caldecott Award winning Cinderella tale returns to Rosewood Center following standing ovations at the AT&T Performing Arts Center's Winspear Opera House and critical acclaim across the nation!  When a great African king desires a wife, only the most worthy and beautiful maidens in the land are invited to meet him.  This summer, celebrate goodness, generosity and love with traditional chanting, rhythmic drumming, and glorious African song in Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters at Dallas Children's Theater, Rosewood Center for Family Arts, 5938 Skillman Street, Dallas, Texas 75231.

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters has been a resounding artistic success as it was the nation's most requested family touring production in DCT's 2008-2009 season, and in the 2011-2012 season it has continued to meet with critical acclaim and enthusiastic audiences across the United States. 

"This is your last chance to see a stunning show," says DCT's Executive Artistic Director and director of the play, Robyn Flatt.  She continues, "Even if you've already seen it, don't miss your chance to come back.  This is a play you can see again and again and be lifted to exhilarating heights every time.  I promise you'll be glad you did." 

(L-R) Rhianna Mack (Nyasha), Ivan Jones (Mufaro), Charli Armstrong (Manyara) photo by Karen Almond

The story is told with classic yet modern African choreography by Michelle Gibson, African drumming and a compelling original score by local composer S-Ankh Rasa.  Playwright Karen Abbott has carefully drawn out each important moral point so children can easily follow along, while adults will experience thrilling storytelling filled with color, majesty and grace. 

A favorite among children and adults, this African story from Zimbabwe was inspired by a folktale collected by G.M. Theal, and published in 1895 in his book, Kaffir Folktales. Award winning children's author/illustrator John Steptoe had always focused on the African American experience in his work, but Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters required him to research African history and culture for the first time.  It was published in 1987, and was acknowledged by reviewers and critics as a breakthrough because it inspires African American children to respect their ancestral origins. Mr. Steptoe hoped that his books would help all young people to take pride in who they are. 

Every culture has its rendition of the Cinderella story, but this one's notion of "beauty" is more than skin deep. Mufaro's pride and joy, two daughters named Nyasha and Manyara, have very different dispositions. The names of the characters are from the Shona language: Mufaro (moo-FAR-oh) means "happy man," Nyasha (nee-AH-sha) means "mercy" and Manyara (mahn-YARah) means "ashamed." Nyasha, the Cinderella character, is beautiful on the inside and out.

Mufaro, a dignified and caring African villager, has two beautiful daughters. When he leaves for the hunt and the sisters are alone, Manyara is always angry, while Nyasha is positive and kind.  Chenzira, a messenger, brings word that the Great King is inviting all of the "Most Worthy and Beautiful Daughters in the Land to appear before him" so that he might choose his Queen.  Mufaro is very pleased that both of his daughters should be selected and agrees to accompany them at sunrise. That night, Manyara, believing herself better and prettier than her sister, sets out alone so that she can be presented to the king first. What will happen to each girl as she responds to hooting owls, enchanted trees laughing and the other strange beings they encounter along the way?

Don't miss the splendor and energy of the stunning Zimbabwe region. With traditional African song, dance and drumming, come celebrate a rich and colorful culture along with goodness,
generosity and love!  Enjoyed by all ages.

"Wonderful show-the audiences were on their feet!"
-Joanna Ferraro-Levy, Westhampton Beach PAC, Westhampton Beach, NY

"Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters was just extraordinary in every aspect of the production-acting, sets, lights, dancing, sound. The children just loved it and did not want to leave the theater. This was definitely one of the finest shows we have ever presented for children at the Brooks Center."
-Mickey Harder, Brooks Center, Clemson, SC

"From the first note to the curtain call, Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters had our audience enthralled. The music, sets, lighting, costumes and talent-especially the talent-were exceptional. Here is a show with the power to create a life-long love of theater,"
-Zita Christian, Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, Hartford, CT

AFRICAN JAM OPENING NIGHT PARTY
Attend Opening Night on Friday, June 22 and feel the beat with African drumming by the show's composer S-Ankh Rasa.  Learn an African drum beat and participate in African dancing!  Face painting and coloring too.  Party begins at 6:30 pm.  One free show poster per family.

CAST
Mufaro - Ivan Jones
Storyteller - Rick Spivey
Nyasha - Rhianna Mack
Manyara - Charli Armstrong
Villager - Ashley Duplechain
Villager/King - Calvin Roberts

ARTISTIC TEAM
Director - Robyn Flatt
Music Director - S-Ankh Rasa
Choreographer - Michelle Gibson
Scenic Designer - Randel Wright
Lighting Designer - Linda Blase
Costume Designer - Barbara Cox
Properties Designer - Jen Spillane and Tish Mussey
Production Manager and Associate Lighting Designer - Melissa Cashion
Stage Manager - Zane Allen Whitney, Jr.
Tour Production Manager/Technical Director - Eric Franklin
Producer/National Tour Director - Sally Fiorello

DALLAS CHILDREN'S THEATER, ROSEWOOD CENTER FOR FAMILY ARTS
5938 Skillman Street, Dallas, Texas 75231

PERFORMANCE DATES AND TIMES
Tuesday - July 3 - 1:30 pm
Tuesday - July 10 - 7:30 pm
Wednesday - July 11 - 7:30 pm
Thursday - July 5 - 11:30 am & 1:30 pm
Thursday - July 12 - 7:30 pm
Fridays - June 22, 29 & July 6, 13 - 7:30 pm
Saturdays - June 23, 30 & July 7, 14 - 1:30 pm & 4:30 pm
Sundays - June 24 & July 1, 8, 15 - 1:30 pm & 4:30 pm

Performance dates and times: Tuesday, July 3 at 1:30 pm; Tuesday, July 10 at 7:30 pm; Wednesday, July 11 at 7:30 pm; Thursday, July 5 at 11:30 am & 1:30 pm; Thursday, July 12 at 7:30 pm; Fridays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 1:30 pm & 4:30 pm; Sundays at 1:30 pm & 4:30 pm

Ticket Prices:
. Saturday 4:30 pm - $21 Adult & Youth Section A; $14 Adult & Youth Section B
. Friday 7:30 pm/Saturday 1:30 pm/Sunday 1:30 pm & 4:30 pm - $26 Adult / $24 Youth Section A; $20 Adult / $18 Youth Section B

DCT Box Office: 214-740-0051
Tickets also available on-line!  www.dct.org

MUFARO'S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS is presented by the Harold Simmons Foundation.

Dallas Children's Theater's 2011-2012 Season is sponsored by Texas Instruments, Inc.; WFAA-TV Channel 8; TACA; Target; The Rosewood Foundation; Maintenance of Dallas, Inc.; Texas Instruments Foundation; the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs; The Shubert Foundation, Inc.; and Texas Commission on the Arts.  American Airlines is the official airline of Dallas Children's Theater.