Pressroom: Verizon Awards Grant for North Star Musical Stage Production

Verizon Foundation Awards Grant for Upcoming Musical Stage Production of Peter H. Reynolds’ THE NORTH STAR by Mill Mountain Theatre

BOSTON, MA - November 30th, 2005 - Verizon Foundation recently kicked off the funding campaign for the world premiere of the musical production of internationally-acclaimed author/illustrator Peter H. Reynolds’ The North Star by Mill Mountain Theatre in Roanoke, Virginia, one of the most respected regional theatres in the US. The stage production, based on the musical version of the book by jazz composer Tim Beckman, is being adapted by Mary Best Bova and Pat Wilhelms and will debut January 17-January 22, 2006 as part of MMT’S sixteenth annual Norfolk Southern Festival of New Works. Reynolds’ children’s media company FableVision is providing creative and animation production. Mill Mountain Theatre has created almost 400 productions, including world premieres and regional premieres; the national hit All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, and the American premiere of Children of Eden.

With Verizon Foundation as lead corporate sponsor, Mill Mountain Theatre’s production of The North Star is also being supported by a partnership with Literacy Volunteers of the Roanoke Valley, part of ProLiterary Worldwide.

Mill Mountain Theatre now presents world premieres, dramatic classics, full-scale musicals, youth-oriented productions, and educational classes for all ages on its two stages in Roanoke, and touring productions that travel throughout Virginia. As a professional, year-round, regional theatre with roots in its community and excellence as its primary objective, MMT has proudly served the region and the industry for almost 40 years.

“Bringing The North Star to life is an outstanding opportunity for Mill Mountain Theatre, Literacy Volunteers of the Roanoke Valley and Verizon to help inspire all learners to reach their full potential,” says director Mary Best Bova. She adds, “Verizon Foundation’s mission to promote literacy makes them the perfect corporate sponsor for this program.” Peter H. Reynolds’ story The North Star is geared towards families and illustrates that every learner, no matter how young or old, can find their path in life and be the best they can be. In order to further the message of the play, Reynolds is working directly with the young actors in the show and through a special workshop designed to complement the production. Reynolds will also attend a performance of the play and help host the gala opening celebration.

The Verizon Foundation sponsors “Verizon Reads” to move America to a more literate society. Verizon uses a combination of corporate philanthropy, employee participation, celebrity volunteers, partnerships with literacy organizations and contributions from their customers in this effort.

Peter Reynolds, who speaks across the country and around the globe, is known for many of his best- selling books about authentic learning, creativity and self-expression. His books include The North Star, Ish and The Dot, in which a creative teacher encourages a reluctant little girl how to “make your mark and see where it takes you.” The Dot, published by Candlewick Press, has already been published in over twenty languages and has won a number of prestigious awards, including the Oppenheim Platinum Toy Award, Borders Books’ Original Voices 2004 Award, and the Christopher Medal, as well as the 2005 Carnegie Medal of Excellence for the film’s animated adaptation. Reynolds’ award-winning publishing work also includes the best-selling Judy Moody series written by Megan McDonald, Eleanor Estes’ The Alley and The Tunnel of Hugsy Goode, Judy Blume’s Fudge series, and Ellen Potter’s Olivia Kidney. His next book series, called SugarLoaf, launches with Simon & Schuster early in 2006.

Peter, along with his identical twin brother Paul Reynolds, founded the award-winning children's media company FableVision in 1996. FableVision's mission is to use media, storytelling and technology to reach all learners, especially the reluctant or challenged ones. FableVision’s award-winning educational technology products include the K5 writing software Stationery Studio, the BrainCogs Cognitive Strategy System line of software for test-taking and essay writing strategies, Get a Clue online vocabulary program as well as The North Star Inspiration Kit and the North Star Musical.

For more information about sponsoring the production, contact: Mill Mountain Theatre, Lindsay Mady, PR Coordinator - 1 Market Square Second Floor Roanoke, VA 24011 lmady@millmountain.org (540) 224-1255

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