Saturdays & Sundays, October 11th  – November 23rd.

VITAL CHILDREN’S THEATRE, which was recently honored with an AWARD FOR OVERALL EXCELLENCE by the Off-Off Broadway Review, is pleased to announce The Ballad of Irving the Frog and Other Stories as the first production of its five show 2003-2004 season.  Performances run Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. October 11th through November 23rd.  All tickets are $14.00.   For reservations, call or visit 212-268-2040, www.vitaltheatre.org.  Vital Theatre Company is located at 432 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues. 

Argh, Matey!  The Striking Viking Story Pirates are in town!  They sail the Seven Seas in search of their favorite treasure--stories written by kids, of course--and have landed right here in New York City.  Armed with a trunk full of outlandish props, silly puppets and musical instruments, the Story Pirates sing and dance their way through their latest story-treasure: The Ballad of Irving the Frog.  Each song and story the Pirates tell is an actual homespun treasure written by Vital Children’s Theatre audiences.

LEE OVERTEE, who appeared in last season’s The Nastiest Drink in the World and Calling All Toys, directs; original music by ELI BOLIN; sets by KRISTIN SLAYSMAN; puppets, props and costumes by JESS LACHER and DREW CALLANDER Featured in the cast are LEE OVERTREE, DREW CALLANDER, DYLAN RIS, DAN MAHONEY, KRISTEN SCHAAL, LIZ BANGS, MEGAN O'MEARA and LAURA HERNANDEZ.

The second production of the Vital Children’s Theatre season is The Elves and the Shoemaker, a new adaptation of an old Grimm’s Brothers favorite written by RIC AVERILL. It’s the enchanting tale of a sweet old Shoemaker who narrowly avoids being booted out of town with the help of a good-natured orphan girl and some mysterious little elves.  A poignant story of friendship, tolerance and magic, The Elves and the Shoemaker will captivate children and families with Hanukah and Christmas carols and, of course, a little music courtesy the elves.  The Elves and the Shoemaker performs Saturdays and Sundays @ 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. December 6th through December 21st.

Our third production is The Changeling, from the same team that created last season’s hit The Nastiest Drink in the World.  Alfred is an awkward fairy child who can't seem to fit in among the creatures of Fairyland.  But when he's left behind in the human world, Alfred gets a chance to prove his worth and find a home at last.  Written by MARK LOEWENSTERN with music by JOHN GREGOR, The Changeling performs Saturdays and Sundays January 10th through February 15th.

The fourth and fifth shows in the season will be announced soon!  Performance dates are Saturdays and Sunday from February 21st – March 29th and April 3rd – May 9th.

VITAL CHILDREN’S THEATRE COMPANY has received high acclaim from audiences and critics alike for being “a wonderful place for parents to introduce their kids to the glories of live theatre, done well and at modest prices.”  Now in its fifth year, the company is dedicated to producing entertaining and educational theatre for young audiences. To date, the company has presented 18 original productions for children and families.