| The Quiltmaker's Gift
Book: Alan J. Prewitt Licensed by Dramatic Publishing 800-448-7469 Dramaticpublishing.com Audio sample: (more)
Pantoverture Photos by Laura Durant Based on the best selling book by Jeff Brumbaugh, THE QUILTMAKER'S GIFT is the story of a generous quiltmaker who makes quilts only for those in need. A greedy king who owns everything in the world except one of her quilts will go to great lengths to get one. He learns a valuable lesson about giving. An ensemble of soldiers, birds, townspeople and a bear help to tell this story that is at once sophisticated and childlike-appealing to adults and children alike. Though it is a holiday favorite, it is a secular story and non time-specific, making it appropriate for any time of year.
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BEST ORIGINAL PRODUCTION "The Quiltmaker's Gift" by Alan Prewitt, Craig Bohmler and Steven Mark
Kohn for Phoenix Theatre's Cookie Company. |
| New plays play
well By Roberta Burnett The Arizona Republic July 23, 2002 Outstanding was the contemporary fairy tale, The Quiltmaker's Gift, partly because of Alan J. Prewitt's script, but its theater art shone from every pore. The lyrical and contemporary music was written and performed on keyboard by Scottsdale's Craig Bohmler. Exceptionally witty, charming lyrics were by Steven Kohn of Cleveland. Both provided stellar material for the very fine vocal work of Kristen Drathman of Chandler. Scottsdale's Rusty Ferracane skillfully set up the baseline of antipathy toward the king, which he then had to transform into sympathy late in the play. When Quiltmaker is staged in December by the Cookie Company at Phoenix Theatre, it will be a "must see" for parents and their kids.
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Valley stage alive and kickin' By Kyle Lawson The Arizona Republic Dec. 29, 2002 More than 14,000 tickets were sold for the Cookie Company's world premiere musical, The Quiltmaker's Gift, leading Phoenix Theatre managing director Sue Tormela to speculate that the show will become an annual holiday event for the troupe. 
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| ‘Quiltmaker’s Gift’ is patchwork of clever
ideas, talent
By Max McQueen Get Out Dec. 5, 2002 …a welcome alternative to the endless parade of ‘‘Annie’’ and its overdone ilk. Curiously, perhaps its greatest strength is its cross-generational appeal. The Nov. 30 show was packed with grandmothers, their daughters and their daughters’ daughters. Any play that can knit families together so tightly is sure to find a quick, albeit very specific, spot among youth theaters eager to try sturdy new material. |
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Grapevine group stages winning production
By Perry Stuart The Fort Worth Star-telegram Jan. 7, 2003 Readers of the acclaimed children's book The Quiltmaker's Gift probably will be the loudest applauders of the musical version on view at the Colleyville Center. However, you'll find plenty to enjoy in this engaging fable that marks the debut of Grapevine-based Ohlook productions even if you've never heard the story. Alan J. Prewitt's adaptation of the Jeff Brumbeau book has a Godspell meets The Fantasticks feel about it. .Some of the songs by Craig Bohmler and Steven Mark Kohn are surprisingly sophisticated for children's theater, with Bohmler's melodies and Kohn's patter-like lyrics teasing the audience and challenging the singers. |
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The Past year in Valley theater had some amazing ups and downs By Max McQueen East Valley Tribune Jan. 13, 2003 So without further ado, here are the 18th annual Maxie Awards, chosen from 267 musical and plays staged in the Valley between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2002. |
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