Theatreworks USA’s Presents “Ferdinand the Bull” at North Central College

 
Children will have a delightful time when actors bring the literary hero Ferdinand the Bull to life Feb. 19 at North Central College.
 
The theatrical presentation of "Ferdinand the Bull" is based on the treasured 1936 children's book "The Story of Ferdinand" written by Munro Leaf and illustrated by Robert Lawson. Theatreworks USA has turned this timeless story into a lively musical.
 
Two matinee performances are presented at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, in North Central's Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. Tickets are $10/adults and $5/students and senior citizens; call the North Central College Box Office at 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.
 
Recommended for children in kindergarten through fifth grade, the hour-long show is presented with bilingual (English/Spanish) lyrics and dialogue. A guide for teachers is available on the Theaterworks USA website and includes topics to talk about before and after the show.
 
Ferdinand the Bull stars as a gentle bull who enjoys nothing more than smelling todas las flores (all the flowers). Although he finds a fellow flower enthusiast in Abeja the Bee, Ferdinand still wants to fit in with the Toros, the tough trio of bulls who convince him that "a bull's gotta do what a bull's gotta do." When the Bull Collector arrives during his annual talent search for the bullfighting ring, Ferdinand joins the others to prove that he, too, can be the "greatest bull in all España."
 
Although his peaceful nature causes him to have second thoughts, Abeja's bee sting brings out the toro in Ferdinand, and the Bull Collector chooses him to fight in Madrid's Plaza de Toros. Ferdinand, however, refuses to fight, befriends the Matador and ends up returning to his pasture where he spends his days sitting under his favorite tree and smelling the flowers.
 
New York City-based Theatreworks USA has a distinguished history of actors, writers, directors and designers, including four-time Tony-winning director Jerry Zaks; writers Marta Kauffman and David Crane of TV's "Friends"; and Tony-winning actors John Lloyd Young, Roger Bart, Chuck Cooper and John Glover. Performers F. Murray Abraham, Henry Winkler and Judy Kuhn also got their start with Theatreworks USA.
 
North Central College's 2010-2011 Sesquicentennial Fine & Performing Arts Season is supported by a generous grant from the Illinois Arts Council. USG Corporation and Navistar, Inc. are underwriting sponsors.
 
These performances are among many ongoing events and exhibits at North Central College designed to enrich and broaden the cultural and academic outlook for the College and community. For a comprehensive schedule of musical performances, theatrical and dance productions, art exhibits and lectures, visit northcentralcollege.edu/show or call the box office at 630-637-SHOW (7469).