Silver Spring Stage: A Little Princess" Family Holiday Show

[Howard Hartman]

A Little Princess Season's Greetings November/December 2009 Silver Spring Stage presents a special holiday presentation of the family favorite A Little Princess by Virginia Glasgow Koste, directed by Guillaume Tourniare and produced by Pauline Griller-Mitchell and Richard Ley. Inspired by the classic story by Frances Hodgson Burnett, a courageous young girl survives hardship and helps those around her until she finds a mysterious benefactor and joy again. A Little Princess will perform weekends December 4 to December 20. Classic Story Brought to Life! The classic journey of young Sara Crewe from loved child to abandonment and then rescue as A Little Princess started out as serialized novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett in 1888 as Sara Crewe: or, What happened at Miss Minchin's boarding school. She later adapted the story into the widely known book in 1904. The English born Burnett spent most of her adult life in the United States and for many years in Washington, DC where she wrote the original Sara Crewe story. She's most known for her children's works A Little Princess, The Secret Garden and Little Lord Fauntleroy. Burnett crafted an endearing and enduring story of a young girl faced with hardships who nonetheless relies on her strength and imagination to survive until a generous and compassionate gentleman rescues her. A Little Princess has been made into many performance versions; the most famous is the 1939 film with Shirley Temple. Audiences of all ages will delight in this holiday confection that has delighted and inspired generations with its beautiful story. GET TICKETS A Treat for the Whole Family! Sara Crewe (Melissa Tucker/Samantha Buckley) is sent to live at a boarding school. Captain Crewe (Nick Sampson), her doting father, leaves instructions that his daughter is to be given a private room with a parlour, a maid, and anything else she might desire in his absence. The school's headmistress, Miss Minchin (Frances Burnet), privately believes that Sara must be spoiled. Far from being spoiled, Sara is a bright, imaginative, and empathetic child who loves books and storytelling. She befriends some of her fellow pupils Ermengarde (Anabel Milton), including the maid Becky (Mary Madison England). On Sara's birthday, news arrives that Captain Crewe has died in India and lost his fortune. Sara is left a pauper and Miss Minchin turns Sara into a servant in order to pay off her debts. Sara is given a room in the attic next to Becky. Sara is overworked and half-starved. She keeps her spirits through her imagination that comforts her, Becky and her friends. Sara tries harder than ever to pretend she is a princess in order to keep herself from despair. A mysterious family moves next door and Sara is visited by one their servants Ram Dass (Anthony Hacsi). Gifts surprisingly appear in Sara's attic. One night the family's pet monkey arrives in the attic. She returns the monkey to discover that the neighbor was actually a former business partner of her father. And in this revelation, Sara's fortunes are reversed and she finds a new home for her and Becky. The cast also features Rosalie Fischer (Lavinia Herbert). A Little Princess is a gem not to be missed! GET TICKETS In This Issue Classic Story Brought to Life! A Treat for the Whole Family! Performances & Tickets A Little Princess runs about 1 hour. Performances are Friday December 4, 11 and 18 at 7 pm, Saturday December 5, 12 and 19 at 1:00 pm and 3:30 pm, and Sunday December 6, 13 and 20 at 1:00 pm and 3:30 pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Silver Spring Stage is located in the Woodmoor Shopping Center, lower level (next to the CVS) at Colesville Road and University Boulevard. GET TICKETS So, bring the whole the family for a holiday treat to remember! Sincerely, Michael Kharfen Silver Spring Stage email: stagenews@ssstage.org voice: (301) 593-6036 web: http://www.ssstage.org