Just in time
for Christmas the Ryan Repertory Company is presenting "Winnie-the-Pooh:
A Christmas Tail," directed by Barbara Parisi and John Sannuto.
Sannuto provides the choreography and Jay Shapiro is the musical
director (and plays the synthesizer and piano), for this production
with book, music and lyrics written by James W. Rodgers based
on the A.A. Milne classic.
"It’s a gem that’s never been performed professionally,
although many small groups have presented the play," Parisi
told GO Brooklyn. "It’s actually the story of Eeyore [James
Martinelli] losing his tail and how his friends rally around
him on Christmas Eve."
The tale is narrated by Christopher Robin, played by 12-year-old
David Ojeda.
"This is a family show," said Parisi. "There are
children and adults in our cast. The play has lots of things
the kids won’t get and lots they will get."
But most of all, Parisi says, this is a story "that celebrates
friendship."
"Winnie-the-Pooh: A Christmas Tail" runs Dec. 17-19
at 8 pm, Dec. 20 at noon and 3 pm, Dec. 22-23 at 8 pm, Dec. 26
at 5 pm and 8 pm and Dec. 27 at noon and 3 pm. The Ryan Repertory’s
Harry Warren Theater is located at 2445 Bath Ave. at Bay 38th
Street in Gravesend. For reservations, call (718) 996-4800.
