Pushcart Players in CELEBRATING NEW JERSEY at Mt Pleasant MS

Pushcart Players, New Jersey’s acclaimed touring theatre for
young audiences performs “Celebrating New Jersey” at Mount Pleasant
Middle School in Livingston on Wednesday February 19 at 9:30 am. Coinciding
with New Jersey’s 350th Anniversary, this is a joyous, playful and
informative folk musical honoring the Garden State.

“Celebrating New Jersey” reaches across more than
three centuries, linking young viewers to the past while breathing new life
into a most creative period in the Garden State’s history. From the arrival of
the first settlers to the American Revolution, from the writing of the
Constitution to the significant participation in the Civil War, from Thomas
Edison’s life-changing work in West Orange to New Jersey’s pivotal role in
industry, “Celebrating New Jersey” is a spirited and stylish exploration
of the innovation and diversity that continue to define New Jersey.

“The production is brimming with humor, conflict and
discovery,” said Ruth Fost, Pushcart’s co-founder and executive artistic
director. Fost is the playwright and lyricist for the production as well. “I
think people will be surprised by the many ‘firsts’ from NJ, which include the
steam locomotive, America’s first copper mine, the first World Series radio
broadcast and movies. There’s a lot of pride!”

Phebe Taylor and
Harry Patrick Christian perform “Celebrating New Jersey.” Taylor
is a Pushcart Player since 2004. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University
School of Drama, Phebe is a company member of the Heartland Actors’ Repertory
Theatre and a frequent performer at the Phoenix Theatre in Indianapolis. Christian performed in the one-man show,
"Santaland Diaries " in Quincy, IL and at Luna Stage, NJ. Appearing
in improvisational shows, cabarets and regional theatre, he most recently was
seen in "The Language Archive" and "The Other
Place," for Dreamcatcher Repertory Theater in Summit. Through
Pushcart Players, Christian brings theatre arts to teenagers who are first-time
violent crime offenders with the Passaic Police Department's Youth Services
Division.

Paul Whelihan directs the production. An actor, stage
manager and playwright, Whelihan directed the majority of Pushcart’s
productions. He’s directed at Luna Stage Company (West Orange), Forum Theatre
Arts Center (Metuchen), The Growing Stage (Netcong) and for the New York Fringe
Festival. Paul is a teaching artist and director in the tri-state area at
elementary, middle and high schools.

The music of “Celebrating New Jersey” combines traditional
folk songs with original works. Incidental music and orchestrations are by
Larry Hochman, who has collaborated with Pushcart co-founder Carole Wechter,
since the company’s inception. Hochman won the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for
his co-orchestration of “The Book of Mormon.” He also orchestrated  “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” “The Addams
Family” and “Jane Eyre” among others.

Pushcart Players is in its 40th anniversary
season of presenting productions filled with fun, facts, magic and wonder. The
company has traveled over 2 million miles to serve more than 8 million children
and their families nationally and abroad. All performances come with innovative
scenery, complete lighting and state of the art sound systems, making it
adaptable to any location.