THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Young Artists Ensemble presents BUSYTOWN, The musical, directed by Annie Block-Weiss at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts, 403 West Hillcrest Drive.   Performances are May 2 - 18, 2014, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.  Zachary Spencer will serve as Musical Director and Natalie Iscovich will choreography.  Assistant Director is Kailey Short.

BUSY TOWN, the musical is based on the books of Richard Scarry and adapted for the stage by Kevin Kling with music by Michael Koerner and lyrics by Kevin Kling & Michael Koerne.  Busytown is always buzzing with activity. But what do people do all day? That’s where Huckle Cat comes in—he’ll take us on a tour of his great neighborhood. And there is so much to see and do, so many wonderful friends to visit. Huckle shows us how Farmer Pig and Grocer Cat work together to bring food to the town. Construction Worker and his crew build new houses, and Firechief and the gang keep them safe. Isn’t it wonderful how everyone works together to keep Busytown busy?

The Tacoma Weekly newspaper said that Busytown “. . . is just good theatre.” The Queen Anne News said, “Through vibrant singing and dancing... Scarry’s imaginative world is brought to life and allows us to think about even the smallest of daily exchanges as interesting adventures. It promotes a very simple message: Everyone in Busytown relies on one another, and every job has an important role.”

Young Artists Ensemble has received many accolades in the past 33 years including the Encore Statue Award from the City of Thousand Oaks for Excellence in the Arts, and Best Innovative Program 2011, Large District from the California Association of Recreation and Park Districts.  Most recently, it received top honors in the National Youth Arts Awards for the 2012 Teen Summer Musical CABARET and for its innovative Conejo Theatre for Everyone production of THE HOBBIT. 

 

Photos by Paul Cranmer. 

 

 

WHAT: AUDITIONS FOR BUSYTOWN, the musical.  Busytown is always buzzing with activity. But what do people do all day? That’s where Huckle Cat comes in—he’ll take us on a tour of his great neighborhood. And there is so much to see and do, so many wonderful friends to visit. Huckle shows us how Farmer Pig and Grocer Cat work together to bring food to the town. Construction Worker and his crew build new houses, and Firechief and the gang keep them safe. Isn’t it wonderful how everyone works together to keep Busytown busy?

 

WHEN: Performances: May 2-18, 2013:

Fridays, May 2, 9 and 16 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturdays, May 3, 10 and 17 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sundays, May 1, 11 and 18 at 2:00 p.m.

 

WHERE:  

Hillcrest Center for the Arts

403 W. Hillcrest Drive

Thousand Oaks, CA

HOW:  (805) 381-1246 or www.yaeonline.com

TICKETS: Reserved: Adults $17, Children, Students and Seniors $15.00. Groups of ten or more receive a discount of 10% if purchased in a single transaction.

 

OTHER:  Free parking is always available. Accessible seating available by calling (805) 381-1246.  Assisted Listening devices available in the Box Office.