RETURNING FOR A SECOND TOUR!

APRIL, 2004

The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel
(A Musical Play about the Hero in Each of Us)

Book & Lyrics by Stephen Emerson
Music by Thomas M. Hook
Presented by Accessible Arts, Inc.
in collaboration with The Theatrical Company

SYNOPSIS OF THE PLAY

Like many teen-age boys, Percy dreams of performing great deeds, heroics and swashbuckling adventure. His fertile imagination is filled with his grandfather’s stories of Robin Hood, King Arthur and The Scarlet Pimpernel. Gramps, in fact, once had a very valuable personal copy of The Scarlet Pimpernel, which he kept hidden away in a secret place in his boyhood home. Now, he supposes, it is lost forever. Gramps advises Percy to be like the Scarlet Pimpernel and help those who are in need of aid.

But Percy has a disability and uses a wheelchair. He despairs of ever becoming a hero. Gramps is quick to point out that Percy and the Pimpernel have one great weapon in common: a brilliant mind. While Percy may have limited mobility, he is no less than a genius with a computer. Percy’s best friend Margaret is an aspiring artist. She also harbors a secret crush for him, for although she cannot see well with her eyes, she sees all too well with her heart.

Accessible Arts champions the arts for children with disabilities and advocates access to the arts. Advocacy, education and collaboration are essential components in accomplishing our objectives. We believe that through the arts, children develop critical thinking skills, take risks in a safe environment and experience successes. In recognition of our success in bringing art experiences to children and youth with disabiities, Accessible Arts received the 1998 Kansas Govrnor's Arts Award for Outstanding Arts Organization.

The Theatrical Company was founded by Van Ibsen, Theatre Department Chair at Saint Mary College , who has been involved in children’s theatre in the Kansas City area since 1975. Danielle Trebus, producing director of the company teaches and directs theatre at Saint Mary College. They are proud to bring professional theatre to children of all abilities.

Percy’s nemesis is Trevor, a gifted athlete and budding football star who bullies him and extorts homework from him in exchange for protection. Trevor, of course, has his own challenge. He has a learning disability and comprehends neither his schoolwork nor his football playbook. His promising career in sports is in jeopardy.

Percy, our young hero, finds himself beset by problems at every turn. He must provide Trevor with homework assignments, rescue Margaret from a fate worse than detention, and even save himself when his own homework mysteriously disappears. But most importantly, he has located Gramps’ old homestead. Now he must somehow find and retrieve the priceless copy of The Scarlet Pimpernel before a two-ton wrecking ball crushes all hope. Percy will need all his wits and all his friends to succeed…and he has less than 24 hours!

What is...
The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel?

It’s a fast-paced musical with clever dialogue, delightful songs and plenty of action. Children, ages 7-14, will enjoy the situations and identify with the characters that inhabit this play. Throughout the play, characters of different abilities discover that each of them has a unique voice and skills. Each one overcomes a specific challenge and uses his or her own ability as a productive part of the team. Following each performance, Accessible Arts artists are available to conduct interactive workshops for individual classes.

Who Can Attend?
Children ages 7-14 and their families will all enjoy this wonderful show.

When Does It Happen?
The performance and companion arts workshops can be booked for April, 2004

OPTIONAL
INTERACTIVE ARTS WORKSHOPS

Optional, interactive workshops are available in which the students explore the themes of the play.

• You may choose either music/movement or visual arts workshops.
• Workshops will be presented to seperate groups of students after the performance.
• 25 students maximum for each 60-90 minute workshop.
• Teachers and support staff will be asked to assist in the workshops.
• We encourage the participation of non-disabled and disabled students in inclusive workshops.
• 350 Students maximum for the Performance.

How Much Does It Cost?
School performance (350 students max.) -- $500
School performance with 3 interactive workshops -- $625
Theatres & other public venues -- $800

To book a performance/workshop date contact:
Accessible Arts, Inc.
(913) 281-1133
accarts@accessiblearts.org

DATES ARE LIMITED, SO CALL TODAY!

Thanks to our Sponsors!

This program is presented in part by the Kansas Arts Commission, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

This project was also made possible in part through funding provided by the central office of VSA arts, under an award from the U.S. Dept. of Education.

Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation
The Theresa Foundation