KALEIDOSCOPE 2009:
Take a Bite, (Oh Applesauce)
On the Asolo Rep mainstage August 7th & 8th
Ground-breaking program celebrates fifteenth anniversary with an original musical created by Linda Blom and directed by acclaimed artist Ann Morrison

TICKETS: $15 individual, $10 student, $45 four-ticket family package

LISTEN
Cliff Roles interviews Annie Morrison

READ
Cliff Roles' Kaleidoscope blog entry
Bradenton Herald, 8/2/09

Asolo Repertory Theatre and Community Haven for Adults and Children with Disabilities, Inc. (CHAC) celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of Kaleidoscope musical theatre workshop with a new musical written by Linda Blom, an original member of the Kaleidoscope ensemble. Directed by Kaleidoscope co-founder/director and celebrated performing artist Ann Morrison, the workshop culminates in two public performances on the Asolo Rep mainstage – the Mertz Theatre – on August 7th and 8th at 7pm. 

The Kaleidoscope Summer Workshop is an innovative musical theatre program designed for teens and adults with developmental disabilities. Each year Asolo Rep partners with CHAC to teach 18 unique participants skills in acting, dance, music, and stage craft, while working toward a final performance. This year's Kaleidoscope program continues to create an opportunity for groundbreaking theatrical work as Kaleidoscope staff members help the participants grow as performers and individuals. Clinical goals, set for each participant, are achieved through creative exploration, which strengthens a variety of communications skills and ultimately enriches their everyday lives.

Ann Morrison explains, “In the beginning, the original dream for the founders of the Kaleidoscope program was really for it to be doing musicals. And we did that one year with the touring company when they did Oklahoma. The Kaleidoscope adaptation was unique and brilliant, and everyone loved it. Kaleidoscope has evolved tremendously over the last 15 years. The productions are original, the company has grown, and the shows play on the Asolo Rep mainstage to a full house. I am very excited we’re performing a musical this season and even more excited that it’s an original piece written by one of the earliest company members. It feels like we’re reconnecting to our roots and the birth of the Kaleidoscope program.”


About the Play: Take a Bite, (Oh Applesauce) is an enchanting musical written by Linda Blom, one of the oldest company members of Kaleidoscope Summer Musical Theatre Workshop for persons with developmental disabilities. The piece was first conceived for a program called Random Play Company in which Linda was one of three Kaleidoscope members provided with an opportunity to write their own theatre pieces, maintain artistic control of their work, and have professional actors perform them. This enchanting, endearing musical is inspired by Linda’s love of musical theatre. It incorporates traces of The Fantastics, Oklahoma, and touches of Snow White and many more of Linda's favorites. The Kaleidoscope Summer Musical Theatre program is pleased to bring Linda’s musical to the summer workshop ensemble to explore Take a Bite in each individual’s own unique style.

About the Playwright: Linda Blom, a longtime member of the Kaleidoscope ensemble, enjoys dancing and considers herself to be a choreographer. Take a Bit, (Oh Applesauce) is the result of Linda’s first endeavor to write and she is pleased with the results of her first musical. Linda lives in Sarasota with her parents and attends Community Haven for Adults and Children with Disabilities, Inc. Take a Bite is inspired by Linda's great love and appreciation of musical theatre.

Tickets, which help pay for program costs, are only $15; or $10 for students and $45 for a family package of four tickets. Call the Asolo Rep box office at 941-351-8000 or toll-free 800-361-8388.

For more information about volunteering with this innovative program, contact Brian Hersh at 941-351-9010 ext. 3320.

Kaleidoscope is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, The Jerome and Mildred Paddock Foundation and The Betsy Mitchell Family Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Inc.