THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES May 29 - June 14, 2009 Julianne Argyros Stage THE BRAND NEW KID a musical based on the children's book The Brand New Kid by Katie Couric music by Michael Friedman book by Melanie Marnich lyrics by Michael Friedman and Melanie Marnich directed by Shelley Butler OC Family, Media Partners

Say "yes" to tolerance and "no" to meanness! That's a good rule, but it's not always easy. When Ellie stands up for Lazlo S. Gasky, the new kid at school, everyone turns against her. But Ellie and Lazlo find a way to teach an important lesson (be yourself—it's the best way to be!) in this sweet, goofy and upbeat musical from the book by CBS news anchor Katie Couric.

Playwright:
Melanie Marnich has written various plays including Quake, Blur, Tallgrass Gothic and Calling All. She received two Jerome Fellowships, two McKnight Advancement Grants, the Samuel Goldwyn Award and the Francesca Primus Prize. Her play Cradle of Man was a Susan Smith Blackburn Prize finalist and was nominated for the L. Arnold Weissberger Award.

Composer:
Michael Friedman is an Artistic Associate at New York Theatre Workshop, a founding Associate Artist of the OBIE-Award-winning theatre company, The Civilians, and a Composer/Lyricist. His music has been heard at theatres across the country, as well as, the Edinburgh Festival, and in the films On Common Ground and Affair Game.

Author:
Katie Couric is the anchor and managing editor of "CBS Evening News with Katie Couric" and a "60 Minutes" correspondent. Her first children’s book The Brand New Kid, which taught character acceptance, kindness and tolerance, was published in 2000 and was illustrated by Marjorie Priceman. The widely acclaimed book was followed by Blue Ribbon Day in 2004.

Recommendation and Resources:
Theatre for Young Audiences … and Their Families is just that, a multi-generational experience for all ages (except children under the age of 4 and babes in arms). The only requirement is that each audience member occupy a seat and sit quietly through the performance while having a wonderful time!