Free Theatre, Dr. Seuss, Flowers...

There are a lot of exciting things going on this weekend that are terrific for “kids of all ages”.

The New Jersey Theatre Alliance announces its fifth annual AT&T Family Week at the Theatre scheduled for Saturday, March 2 through Sunday, March 10, 2002.

Across the state, in all 21 counties, young people (ages 5-18) will receive free or discounted tickets (with the purchase of a full price adult ticket) to over 115 performances/special events including free classes, workshops and backstage tours. AT&T Family Week at the Theatre was developed to give families the opportunity to experience together the thrill of professional theatre by offering affordable, exciting and educational programming.

Highlights of the wide array of performances and activities offered throughout the state during this year's Family Week include:

Paper Mill: the State Theatre of New Jersey proudly presents a lecture/demo with Broadway legend and film star Ben Vereen. Backstage tours will give young people the chance to explore one of the largest theatres in the state.

McCarter Theatre of Princeton will present The Adventures of Perseus at William Paterson College and other venues around the state. This dynamic lecture/demonstration explores the use of puppetry in storytelling while introducing children to a multitude of characters from Greek legends.

Pushcart Players, New Jersey's leading children's touring theatre company, will travel the state offering free performances of two of their most popular shows, Peter and the Wolf and Dear America.

The New Jersey Shakespeare Festival is also on the road with their touring company Shakespeare Live! The company will present free performances of MacBeth and A Midsummer Night' s Dream (adapted for young audiences) across the state and at home in the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in Madison.

George Street Playhouse will also tour with three different productions that have been immensely popular. Free performances of New Kid, Peacemaker and In Between will be offered throughout the state as well as at the theatre in New Brunswick.

The Growing Stage Theatre will offer Salt and Pepper by Jose Cruz Gonzalez on their mainstage in Netcong. This work reflects the bonds of family and friendship -the one between a young boy who lives on his grandfather's southern California farm and a young girl whose family are migrant workers on the farm. The production, which will have two performances with Spanish translation, focuses on the grandfather's illiteracy and his attempt to hide his shame.

For the first time, several performances in Spanish will also be presented in venues across the state. A free schedule of events is available by calling 1-800-The Arts or online at www.familyweek.com.

If you prefer to use your imagination, join the Cat in the Hat at the Camden County Library System to celebrate reading on the birthday of the late Dr. Seuss during “Read Across America” on Saturday, March 2. Each branch location will host the Cat in the Hat and offer stories and activities. Children may bring their favorite Dr. Seuss book for the Cat’s autograph. “Read Across America” is an annual event to promote the many benefits of reading, both to kids and by kids. Last year, more than 35 million readers participated nationwide. The Cat will appear at: 10 a.m.—South County Regional Branch Library 35 Coopers Folly Rd., Atco, (856) 753-2537 10 a.m.—Merchantville Reading Center 130 Centre St., Merchantville, (856) 665-3128 11:30 a.m.—Gloucester Township-Blackwood Rotary Public Library 15 South Black Horse Pike, Blackwood, (856) 228-0022 11:30 a.m.—William G. Rohrer Memorial Library-Haddon Township Branch 15 MacArthur Blvd., Westmont, (856) 854-2752 2 p.m.—Anthony P. Infanti Bellmawr Branch Library 35 East Browning Rd., Bellmawr, (856) 931-1400 2 p.m.—Voorhees Regional Branch Library 203 Laurel Rd., Voorhees, (856) 772-1636 For more information online, log on to http://www.camden.lib.nj.us/

The New Jersey State Aquarium turns 10-years-old and you can celebrate at the 10th Anniversary Bash! March 2-3, 2002, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Kick off the New Jersey State Aquarium's month-long 10th Anniversary celebration with 96.5 The Point and Comcast. Wish our lovable mascot, CHOMP! a Happy 5th Birthday. Enjoy cake and party games. Meet special party guest SpongeBob SquarePants on March 2. For more information about the New Jersey State Aquarium, call (856) 365-3300 or visit their website: www.njaquarium.org.

The Philadelphia Flower Show opens this weekend. One of the special exhibits this year, is the Camden City Garden Club’s sixth consecutive exhibit at the show, titled “Home Sweet Home…Childhood Memories of the American Backyard.”

This exhibit is designed to recall the many diverse childhood pleasures of imagination and play. The wonders of the typical American Backyard are seen through a child’s eyes. This nostalgic skip down Memory Lane focuses on the role nature and the garden play in the formative years of childhood and how fond recollections of the American Backyard evolve into lifelong hobbies, interests and even careers.

The Flower Show runs Sunday, March 3, 2002 to Sunday, March 10, 2002. Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday to Friday: 10a.m.- 9:30p.m.; and Saturday: 8a.m.- 9:30p.m. Tickets are available in advance: Adults-$18, good any day; Children (ages 2 -12)-$10, good any day. At the door, tickets are $24 opening Sunday (March 3); $22 Weekends; and $20 Weekdays. Children (ages 2 - 12)-$10, good any day.

The Flower Show is being held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, on 13th and Arch Streets, in Philadelphia. Use the Visitor’s Entrance on 12th and Arch.

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Author: R. Cohen