Saturdays at 1:00 pm and Sundays at 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm,
September 11th, 2004 – October 17th, 2004

VITAL CHILDREN’S THEATRE, winner of the AWARD FOR OVERALL EXCELLENCE by the Off-Off Broadway Review, is pleased to announce “The Mask of the Dancing Princess” as the first show of the 2004/2005 season. Performances run Saturdays at 1:00 pm and Sundays at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm September 11th through October 17th, 2004. There will be no 1pm performance on Saturday, October 16, instead, there will be a 3pm performance that day. There will be an additional 2:00 p.m. show on Columbus Day Monday, October 11. There will be NO SHOW on Saturday, September 25 (Yom Kippur). All tickets are $15.00. For reservations, visit www.theatermania.com or call (212) 352-3101 or Toll-Free at (866) 811-4111. For more information visit www.vitaltheatre.org. Vital Theatre Company is located at 432 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues.

Princess Rosamond isn’t just a spoiled brat, she’s a royal pain! After a brief spell of amnesia she finds herself living amongst a group of traveling actors. There, she learns a few lessons in manners and confidence.

Twists, turns, villains and heros abound in this charming new musical written by the composer of “The Changeling,” “The Nastiest Drink in the World” and “Calling All Toys.”

JOHN GREGOR wrote the book, based on the original story by JUDITH GWYN BROWN which features original music by BERT DRAESEL and lyrics by NANCY LEEDS. Directed by CARRIE LIBLING, choreography by ALLISON REGNAULT and music direction is by MARCUS BAKER. Featured in the cast are BILL HUMPHREYS, CHRIS JANSSEN, ALLISON REGNAULT, DAVID SHIH, JESSICA SCUTERI, DAX VALDES and ALANNA WILSON. Costumes by JENNA ROSSI-CAMUS. Scenic and Costume design is by JENNA ROSSI-CAMUS and ROBERTO SANCHEZ-CAMUS. JAMI WISEMAN is the stage manager.

JOHN GREGOR is a 2002 graduate of the Tisch School of the Arts Musical Theater Writing Program. His musical adaptation of Gogol's “THE OVERCOAT” was presented at the Bridewell Theater in London and the 2002 the New York International Fringe Festival. His full length musical “WITH GLEE” was recently read at the York Theater in Manhattan. Other composing credits include “ZIMMERMAN” at the Sanford Meisner Theater and “FOUND MEDIA” at the American Living Room, in association with Lincoln Center. John has also done music and lyrics for past Vital Children’s Theatre shows including, “THE CHANGELING,” “THE NASTIEST DRINK IN THE WORLD” and “CALLING ALL TOYS.” John holds a BFA from Emerson College, and studied at the Abbey Theater Program in Dublin, Ireland.

BERT DRAESEL has composed the music for several shows in New York City including, “EVERYMAN: THE MUSICAL,” “A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE MANGER,” “BOUNCING BACK” and “TROUBADOUR.” He is an Episcopal priest and has served in many parishes in the New York area. He has been involved in writing contemporary Christian music and was in the Lehman Engel musical theater workshop for many years. Bert recently stepped down as Rector of Holy Trinity church on 88th Street to become a student at the graduate musical theater program at NYU.

NANCY LEEDS has written lyrics for several musicals including a musical version of “THE TEMPEST” for Good Speed Opera House; “SCROOGE” for Herberger Theatre in Arizona, “GREAT SCOT” for Theater Four and her most recent work “HELP! HELP!” Nancy’s lyrics can also be heard on albums including, Mills Brothers, Johnny Nash, Shirells, Elvis Presley, Peter Dean, Joy Ford, Chad Mitchell Rio, Carol Townes & Fifth Avenue and Leroy Homes. She is also listed in Who’s Who in America.

JUDITH GWYN BROWN’s paintings and drawings are in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Morgan Library, The Boston Public Library and the Huntington Library in California. She has illustrated over 40 books and has written/illustrated 6 books for children. She is represented in the permanent collections of Mary Higgins Clark and actress Julie Andrews.

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 24 original productions for children and families.