The Flying Trunk

A New Musical Based on the Story by Hans Christian Andersen

The Flying Trunk

Premiering on Stage:
May 30-June 15, 2014
Spotlight Youth Theatre
Glendale, Arizona

Album Now Available:
nimbitmusic.com/theflyingtrunk

Book & Lyrics
Bobby Sample

Music
Josh Hontz
Bobby Sample
Connor Sample
Katie Sample

Based on the Story by
Hans Christian Andersen

What's the story about?
About the show's creators
Join us on Facebook
info@flyingtrunk.net

The Flying Trunk Slated to Premiere at Spotlight

July 2, 2013

The Flying Trunk will close the newly announced 2013-2014 season for Spotlight Youth Theatre! We premiere Friday, May 30, 2014 and run three weekends through June 15, 2014.

We're thankful to get our new show produced at all, but it's especially fortunate to open The Flying Trunk at Spotlight. This theater is the mouse that slays giants. You wouldn't predict it only by taking a look at its modest storefront location in Glendale, Arizona, but SYT stages much of the best community theater in the Phoenix area. It normally takes the lion's share of regional Zoni and National Youth Arts awards year to year, with much credit to artistic director Kenny Grossman and to the considerable talent he attracts to his little theater.

In the present economy, and with theaters like SYT struggling to keep their doors open, it takes some guts and confidence to workshop a new musical rather than schedule yet another "Disney Junior" hit cartoon, or to dust off another Broadway chestnut from 20, 30, 40 or more years ago just because everyone's already heard of it. Kenny plans seasons with those reliable hits, of course, but takes up challenges that are rare for any theater, such as The Yellow Boat this year and The Laramie Project next year. He balances plays that can give little kids a chance to develop their theater skills, with other more daring plays that are primarily for older teens and young adults to perform on a par with the best adult community theaters.

To Kenny, The Flying Trunk is a worthy gamble -- my paraphrase. An original production saves money in royalty fees, but must promise enough popular appeal to fill more seats than, say, just family and friends of the cast. Unlike some larger theaters, SYT does not get much support from grants and major sponsorships. So to keep afloat, it always has to produce the kind of quality that will attract theater goers from all over the Valley. Although Trunk is not a Disney title, the name of Hans Christian Andersen can help us with marketing it as a classic fairy tale. And as I've mentioned, we'll share music and promo videos to promote it during the year. We'll need everyone to know it's an all-ages show, like most popular musicals, and not just a children's show. All that being said, it's still ballsy for Kenny to take it on.

Bobby

See Spotlight Youth Theatre's web site at http://www.spotlightyouththeatre.org

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