School House Rock jumps from the small screen to the stage in Summer Stage Children's Theatre Production, featuring several Gloucester Township students

School’s out, but Summer Stage Children’s Theatre is going back – back for School House Rock, Live! That’s right, the Emmy-award winning 1970’s pop-culture phenomenon comes to life on the Dennis Flyer Stage, teaching a new generation to “Unpack their Adjectives.” This high-energy production, features fun songs filled with entertainment for children and nostalgia for parents, creating the perfect show to kick off Summer Stage’s 25th anniversary season.

            School House Rock, Live! begins as Tom, a new teacher, (Brian Lynn of Washington Township) prepares for his first day of teaching. He imagines the School House Rock characters coming to life, showing him how to win students over with beloved songs such as “Interjection” and “Just a Bill.” The characters represent different parts of Tom’s personality. George (Aaron Burt of Gloucester Township) is the intellectual; Shulie (Sarah Mead of Washington Township) portrays the sweet side; Joe (Ron Chica of Pine Hill) plays the cool side; Dina (Katie Aylesworth of Cherry Hill) is the mature side; and Dori (Natasha Filopov of Washington Township) represents the silly side. They teach Tom how to make history, science, grammar and math exciting through clever songs  and characters like “Just a Bill” featuring Gabe Echevarria of Washington Township;  “Conjunction Junction” with conductor, Kiarra Johnson of Gloucester Township; and Interplanet Janet played by Katie Napolitano of Gloucester Township.

            “This is my eighth year of Summer Stage, but the first year I’ve been in the first production of the summer. I loved how quickly our director was able to pull everyone together, helping us do this to the best of our abilities. We've formed a bond that is amazing to see. There are a lot of younger kids in the cast and I like having the chance to be a leader and to influence them in a positive way,” said Burt.

            Johnson and Napolitano feel the same way.

            “I’m very excited about this show for several reasons. I grew up watching the show, it’s the first time I’ve gotten a bigger role, and it’s such a fun show in general. Also, I’m having fun helping the younger kids,” said Johnson.

            Napolitano added, “I really love this cast and our directing team. I like helping out younger kids, especially with the dancing. When I was in third grade, our teacher would play the School House Rock videos for us. So it’s neat to be in it now. It’s also a lot fun having the chance to be in a show with so many musical numbers. I love the hustle and bustle of going back stage and the rush of getting ready to go back on again.”

            School House Rock, Live! is directed by Francine Odri of Lumberton.

            On opening night, July 17, the audience will receive a special treat as B101’s Buzz Bee makes an appearance, complete with face painting and give aways for the kids.

            School House Rock, sponsored by Bowman & Co.,  runs July 17 & 18, 7:30 pm, and July 19, 10:30 am, in the newly-renovated, fully accessible Dennis Flyer Theatre, Lincoln Hall, Camden County College.  Tickets are $9 for children/senior citizens and $10 for adults. In addition, Mainstage Center for the Arts is offering a season ticket package. Purchase an adult ticket to all four Children’s Theatre Shows and receive a 20 percent discount -- $32 for all four shows.  Group tickets are also available. Sign interpretation is available at the Thursday morning show for groups. For tickets, visit www.mainstage.org. For more information, please call (856) 227-3091.

            In addition to School House Rock, Live! the remaining season includes: Cinderella, G2K, sponsored by Wedgwood Country Club, July 24-26; The Little Mermaid, Jr., sponsored by Beneficial Bank, July 31- August 2; and Magic Up Our Sleeve, sponsored by Harry Morgan, D.C., August 7-9. For the Cinderella, G2K  and Little Mermaid performances, children who dress as a prince or princess will receive a ticket for one free item from the concession stand.

Mainstage Center for the Arts, located at Camden County College in Blackwood, NJ is committed to making the arts experience enjoyable for all its patrons. In an effort to make the shows, concerts, events, workshops, classes, and offices accessible to as many as possible, Mainstage offers many services for patrons requiring assistance. For anyone in need of assistance, please notify the office at (856) 227-3091 at the time of purchasing tickets, or at least five days prior to the event you are attending.

            Mainstage Center for the Arts, the parent program for Summer Stage, is a 501 © (3) non-profit organization committed to providing a creative, vibrant, and nurturing environment for youth and adults.  This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. This program is also made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey Cultural Trust.