Wexner Center Announces Fourth Annual International Performing Arts Series for Families

4-Show Series Includes Groups From Switzerland, Canada, and the U.S., with Special Engagement by Dan Zanes

Now in its fourth year, the International Performing Arts Series for Families at the Wexner Center once again offers innovative theater, dance, and music from around the globe for children and their families and friends.

“We are pleased to again offer an alternative in performing arts for children and their families,” says Shelly Casto, Director of Education at the Wexner Center for the Arts. “This series provides an opportunity for kids to experience inventive, multimedia, world-class performance in their own backyard, while introducing them to other cultures and stories.”

The schedule:

David Gonzalez’s The Frog Bride, a new adaptation of the classic Russian folktale led by witty storyteller David Gonzalez (based in New York), kicks off the series Sunday, October 12 at 1 and 3 pm in the Wexner Center Performance Space. Gonzalez performs every role against a vivid video backdrop inspired by the art of Vasily Kandinsky, while two live musicians (violinist Christian Howes and keyboardist Dan Kelly, both of whom have deep Columbus roots) help to interweave themes from Sergei Prokofiev with an original jazz-funk score. Filled with comic sparkle, this coming-of-age story engages the imaginations and opens the hearts of all ages. The New York Times wrote about Gonzalez’s Frog Bride: “Absorbing, funny and suspenseful, it is, in the great tradition of storytelling, enchanting.” Run time is 60 minutes with no intermission. The show is for ages 6 and up. More about David Gonzalez and his RainArt Productions can be found here: http://www.rainartproductions.com/david_gonzalez.html

On January 16 and 17 (Friday at 7 pm and Saturday at 1 and 3 pm), Swiss company Theatre Sgaramusch will present Wolf Under a Bed, a series of 12 scary stories (written by schoolchildren especially for the company) that keeps kids on the edge of their seats as the actors blur the lines between fantasy and reality. Because of its content, this show is recommended for ages 7 and up. The show runs 50 minutes with no intermission in the Wexner Center’s Performance Space.

In a special engagement, Dan Zanes and Friends will perform in Mershon Auditorium Saturday, March 28 at 11 am. Zanes (pictured at right), who played at the Wex for family audiences several years ago, returns to perform his catchy, melodic, rhythmic tunes that have made him a music star with families across the globe (not least because his music appeals to adults as well). Kids—and their adult companions—should bring their dancing shoes. This show is recommended for ages 2 and up. More on Dan Zanes (who made his name first in the ‘80s with indie band The Del Fuegos before turning his focus to music for kids): www.danzanes.com.

On April 24–25 (Friday at 7 pm and Saturday at 2 pm), Canada’s Sursaut compagnie de danse will perform At Nightfall, a scenic, poetic dance production. These performances will be in the Wexner Center’s Mershon Auditorium; this show is for ages 4 and up. More information on the company, which was founded in 1985 in Québec and has performed throughout Canada and beyond, can be
found here: http://www.sursaut.ca/site_english/company.html

Individual show tickets for all show except Dan Zanes are $14 for the general public, $10 for Wexner Center members, and $8 for children under 12 (infants under 1 year old are admitted free). Tickets for Zanes are $25 general public, $20 members, and free for children 1 and under. Members–only presale for all tickets begins September 29, and sales for the general public begin October 6. Call or stop by the Wexner Center Ticket Office for tickets or to become a member: 614 292-3535. More information can be found at www.wexarts.org/ed.

Select school performances are also being offered again this year (teachers should contact the education office at 292-6493 or edweb@wexarts.org to reserve space in the school performances and to inquire about bus subsidies).