The Mice Return to Imagination Stage

For only four weekends this summer, Imagination Stage brings back Mouse on the Move as part of its My First Imagination Stage program. This popular production offers opportunities for children to interact with the actors and help tell the story.

Mouse on the Move runs in Imagination Stage's Christopher and Dana Reeve Studio Theatre July 6-28 at 10:30 and 11:45 on Saturdays and Sundays only. Appropriate for ages 1-5, tickets are $10-$12, with a $5 lap seat for children under 12 months. Tickets may be purchased online at www.imaginationstage.org, at the Imagination Stage box office, or via phone at 301-280-1660.

In the play, Nellie and Amelia are two adventurous mice ready to explore the world beyond their little mouse-hole. They decide to go to the moon, since it is cat-free and made entirely of delicious, mouth-watering cheese. Like many of Imagination Stage's shows for this age group, the performance will be a multi-sensory experience and children are given a small suitcase of props with which they help the actors tell the story.

This show, called "ridiculously adorable" by Our Kids, had its world premiere production in January 2012 at Imagination Stage. Co-developed and directed by Artistic Director Janet Stanford and Associate Artistic Director Kathryn Chase Bryer, Mouse on the Move builds on their successful 2009 collaboration, Wake Up, Brother Bear!.

Jenny Donovan will play the role of Amelia. After graduation from Catholic University with a BA in Drama, Jenny went on tour with The National Players for a year. Most recently she has performed with Rorschach Theatre in A MAZE. Jenny has also performed locally at the Source Festival, Ambassador Theatre, and Olney Theatre Center. The role of Nellie will be played by Ayanna Hardy, who was most recently seen at Imagination Stage as the Sour Kangaroo in Seussical. Ayanna has performed at many local theaters, including Adventure Theatre MTC, Signature Theatre, and Theatre Alliance. She has also performed internationally with Singapore Repertory Theatre.

There is also a Mouse on the Move book now available in Just Imagine! The Shop at Imagination Stage. The book is on sale for $6.99 and follows the story of the production. It was written by Julia Krebs Patterson, Early Childhood Program Manager at Imagination Stage, and illustrated by local artist Scott Brooks. Brooks, in addition to illustrations, exhibits his paintings in galleries around the world.