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Flat Stanley makes his musical debutFeb. 24, 2009 KALAMAZOO--Flat Stanley, star of the popular children's book series, will make his musical debut at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21, in Western Michigan University's Miller Auditorium.
Stanley Lambchop is your normal, everyday, run-of-the-mill kid, until the bulletin board on the wall above his bed comes loose and falls on top of him while he's sleeping. The next morning, Stanley wakes up flat. At first it's not so bad. He can slide under locked doors and fly through the air like a kite. Stanley decides that if he has to be flat, he is going to make the best of it. So, he puts himself in a big envelope and travels the world as a human letter. In a whirlwind musical travelogue, Stanley is stamped, posted and cancelled from Paris to Honoluluand beyond. Whether he's rapping with a Hollywood agent, thwarting a robbery at the Louvre Museum in Paris, or surfing off the coast of Hawaii, Stanley is closing in on his goal of doing something the world has never seen before. Based on the popular children's book series by author Jeff Brown, with illustrations by Scott Nash, "The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley" brings this beloved character to a new generation of families through song, dance and the spectacle of live theatre. In October 2006, the Los Angeles Times wrote, "Flat Stanley, the world-famous paper doll, is a two-dimensional Forrest Gump, thanks to student fans around the globe." Stanley has never been more popular. In addition to being a guest at the White House, he has made appearances on "Oprah" and "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno. He also has made cameos on "The West Wing," "ER" and "The Daily Show," and even turned up at the Academy Awards with Clint Eastwood. Harper Collins, publisher of the book series, has been instrumental in creating the "Flat Stanley" phenomenon by encouraging teachers and students to study geography, social studies and other subjects through a grassroots "Stanley" pen-pal program. "Every year tens of thousands of students nationwide send their Flat Stanleys to friends and family all over the world. Their Stanleys return home with a wealth of information about new places and experiences," says Tim McDonald, book writer for the musical tour. "A live tour is the natural extension of Flat Stanley's popularity," adds Stephen Gabriel, president of Work Light Productions, who leads an accomplished team of creators and designers in producing the tour. "Children and families can come together in one place to share an amazing Flat Stanley journey." McDonald has teamed up with composers and lyricists David Weinstein and Jonathan K. Waller to bring Flat Stanley to life. "Our goal was not only to tell the story of how Stanley became flat, but to show the rich experiences open to him by being different," reflects McDonald. "The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley" at Miller Auditorium is part of the Lake Michigan Mailers Spotlight Series and is sponsored by Coca-Cola. Tickets range from $15 to $25 and are available now by calling (269) 387-2300 or (800) 228-9858, online at millerauditorium.com, or by visiting the Miller Auditorium Ticket Office or Epic Center Box Office in downtown Kalamazoo. Groups of 20 or more should call (269) 387-2312 for special discounts. Media contact: Bethany Gauthier, (269) 387-2245, bethany.gauthier@wmich.edu WMU News |
