For a PDF version of this press release, click here.
Tweet It!
Follow the beautiful and enchanting #RainbowFish in his journey through the deep sea in the stage adaption of the beloved children’s story at the @KimmelCenter on 11/23. More info @ KimmelCenter.org PLUS #sensory-friendly performance at 12PM!
Press Contact:
Lauren Woodard
215-790-5835
LWoodard@kimmelcenter.org
Jessica Christopher
267-765-3738
jchristopher@alliedglobalmarketing.com
KIMMEL CENTER CULTURAL CAMPUS PRESENTS
STAGE ADAPTATION OF COLORFUL CHILDREN’S CLASSICS IN
THE RAINBOW FISH
NOVEMBER 23, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Philadelphia, PA, October 9, 2019) – The Kimmel Center Cultural Campus welcomes Philadelphia families to its Merriam Theater for the enchanting stage adaptation of The Rainbow Fishon Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Based on Marcus Pfister’s iconic, colorful stories, this show follows the beautiful Rainbow Fish, with his silver scales and heart of gold, as he learns to share his most prized possession. The 12:00 p.m. presentation of The Rainbow Fish will be sensory-friendly, in conjunction with the Kimmel Center and ArtReach’s ongoing partnership.
“We are delighted to welcome the stage adaption of this timeless story to the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus, as part of our ongoing and ever-popular Family Discovery Series,” said Anne Ewers, President and CEO of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. “Education is vital to our mission, and programs such as this introduce our littlest arts lovers not only to the stage, but also to important values, like acceptance, sharing, and friendship. We are also thrilled to host another sensory-friendly performance this season, fostering an inclusive and inviting theater experience.”
This original stage adaptation follows Marc Pfister’s story, The Rainbow Fish, as well as the two companion tales, Rainbow Fish Discovers the Deep Sea and Opposites.
The Rainbow Fish tells the story of the most beautiful fish in the sea, whose scales shimmer in all the colors of the rainbow. He is admired by the entire underwater world, and the other fish dream of owning one of his magnificent shiny scales. Resentment and isolation ensue when he is unwilling to give any of them away, and he becomes the loneliest fish in the ocean. Following the advice of a clever octopus, he gives each fish one of his scales. The more he shares, the happier he becomes.
The idea of depicting the exceptional beauty of the Rainbow Fish with shimmering silver foil came from the author himself. The result was the first picture book of its kind to appear on the market, and The Rainbow Fish took the best-seller lists by storm when it was published in 1992. To date, more than 30 million copies of the various Rainbow Fish volumes have been sold worldwide in more than 50 languages. With more than two decades in print, The Rainbow Fish is undoubtedly one of the classic titles of children‘s literature.
Rainbow Fish Discovers the Deep Sea highlights further adventures of the beloved character. When his last glittering scale falls off and sinks down into the deep sea, Rainbow Fish finds the courage to follow it into the great unknown, discovering a new world with wonderful sights and friendly creatures of all shapes, sizes, and colors that are eager to make his acquaintance.
Opposites uses striking images from Rainbow Fish’s underwater wonderland to introduce very young children to the concept of opposites such as up/down, in/out, over/under, big/little, and long/short. As a fitting finale, the story ends with the most satisfying opposite of all—give and take—as Rainbow Fish shares one of his shining scales with a friend.
The Rainbow Fish stage adaptation is brought to life through their talented creative team including Marcus Pfister, Author and Illustrator; Jim Morrow, Director and Production Design; and Steven Naylor, Composer. Jim Morrow, well known for the creations of puppets for stage, television, and film, has directed numerous shows for theater including The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Guess How Much I Love You & I Love My Little Storybook, Inch by Inch,and more.Steven Naylor has created music for more than a dozen shows including Guess How Much I Love You & I Love My Little Storybook, Good Night Moon, Inch by Inch, and more. In addition to theater, he creates original film and television scores.
In partnership with ArtReach, the 12:00 p.m. presentation of The Rainbow Fish embraces individuals with sensory sensitivities, communication differences, and those with autism spectrum disorders by creating a safe and inclusive environment. Theater adjustments include designated quiet areas, as well as relaxed house rules, allowing individuals permission to move around during the performance. Talking and reacting among guests is unrestricted, and outside sensory-friendly stress relief devices are welcome. Sensory-friendly kits, donated by TD Bank, the Kimmel Center’s 2019-20 season sponsor, are available regularly to all guests on the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus and can be reserved on a first come, first serve basis by contacting Patron Services at 215-893-1999. Kits are equipped with noise-cancelling headphones, weighted bean bags, and fidget toys.
As part of the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus’ Family Discovery Series, The Rainbow Fish is eligible for 3-show packages starting at just $16.50 per show. Other shows in the series include: Baby Shark Live (November 10, 2019, Academy of Music), A Charlie Brown Christmas Live On Stage (December 20 – 21, 2019, Merriam Theater), DRUMline Live! (January 10 – 11, 2020, Merriam Theater), and Nick Jr. Live! “Move to the Music” (February 7 – 9, 2020, Academy of Music).
THE RAINBOW FISH
Kimmel Center Cultural Campus’ Merriam Theater
November 23, 2019, 12:00 p.m. (Sensory-Friendly Performance)
November 23, 2019, 3:00 p.m.
Tickets
Tickets are on sale now starting at $17.50. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online at www.kimmelculturalcampus.org, or at the Kimmel Center Box Office. Group sales are available for groups of 10 or more and can be purchased by calling 215-790-5883. See www.kimmelculturalcampus.org for more information.
The Kimmel Center Cultural Campus
Located in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia, our mission is to engage the region’s diverse communities with art through performance and education. Our Cultural Campus serves more than 1 million guests per year and includes the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Academy of Music, and the Merriam Theater- representing more than 160 years of rich history for the performing arts along Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts. We are home to eight esteemed Resident Companies: The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ballet, The Philly POPS, PHILADANCO, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, and Curtis Institute of Music. With nearly 9,000 seats per night, we are the region’s most impactful performing arts center, and the second largest in the country. Our Cultural Campus serves as a preeminent and inclusive place to enjoy exceptional experiences that reflect the spirit of our region by cultivating a creative and socially-responsible environment where our community shares experiences that are delivered with pride, integrity, and respect. As a 501 c 3 nonprofit organization, we collaborate on, present, and produce a broad range of relevant and meaningful events, we serve as an active gathering space for social and community events, we educate the region’s young people through access to quality arts experiences, and we provide support to artists in the creation of new work. TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is our proud sponsor of the Kimmel Center’s 2019-2020 Season. American Airlines is the official airline of Broadway Philadelphia. For additional information, visit www.kimmelculturalcampus.org.
# # #
For photography, please visit https://kcpress.smugmug.com/
For a PDF version of this press release, click here.