Pushcart Players, New Jersey’s acclaimed touring theatre for young and
family audiences presents “Let Freedom Ring” at Marshall Hill School in
West Milford on Friday, January 24 at 9:15 am. This robust musical celebrates
the nation's birth and development with authentic folk songs and an animated
story of significant moments in history.
“We focus on people in early America -- what they thought and how
they felt,” said Ruth Fost, co-founder of Pushcart Players and playwright.
“What was it like to have the courage to leave the familiar and explore the unknown? These are ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary goals.”
"Let Freedom Ring" opens with the beginning of time, moving
quickly to the arrival of the first Americans from Asia. With the passage of
approximately 30,000 years (in under five minutes!), “Freedom…”
introduces second Americans in 1620. Among the new settlers are four main
characters: Sam, Sarah, Jennie and Ginny. They transcend time, distance and circumstance to lead the audience -- chronologically and geographically --
through two centuries of America’s past.
Scenarios focusing on the Boston Tea Party, the American Revolution, westward expansion, the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, the California
Gold Rush and Industrialization inspire and inform American audiences of all ages.
“The finale is a spirited musical salute to the unique texture and rich character of our great nation,” added Fost. “It’s a tribute to democratic ideals.” The music
combines traditional folk songs with original works. Incidental music and
orchestrations are by Larry Hochman, who has collaborated with Pushcart co-founder
Carole Wechter, since the company’s inception. Hochman won the Tony and Drama
Desk Awards for his co-orchestration of “The Book of Mormon.” He
orchestrated “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” “The Addams Family” and “Jane
Eyre” among others.
Pushcart Players is in its 40th anniversary season of presenting productions filled with fun, facts, magic and wonder. The company has traveled over 2 million miles to serve more than 8 million children and their families nationally and abroad. All performances come with innovative scenery, complete lighting and state of the art sound systems. They are adaptable to any location.
Marshall Hill School is located at 210 Marshall Hill
Road in West Milford. PTA representatives or school cultural arts coordinators who would like to preview
the performance are required to contact Pushcart Players at 973.857.1115 in
advance. “Please do not call the school directly or arrive without prior
approval.” For further information on this or any of Pushcart’s programs and services,
contact Pushcart Players or visit the website at www.pushcartplayers.org. LIKE us on
Facebook to get up to date information on activities and events and follow us on
Twitter @PushcartPlayers.
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