Children's Theatre of Cincinnati's THE LEGEND OF POCAHONTAS Plays NKU, 8/2-5

Students in The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati's audition-based STAR Program will bring "The Legend of Pocahontas" to Northern Kentucky University's Corbett Theatre, August 2-5.

Roderick Justice, Associate Artistic Director of The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati, is directing. Sarah Peak, fresh off the National Tour of "Shrek The Musical," is choreographing. Angela Powell-Walker, Artistic Director of The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati, is music directing. The show was written by Jon Lorenz with orchestrations by three-time Grammy nominee, Hank Feldman. 89 students from around the Tri-state are involved with the production.

"The Legend of Pocahontas" is a joint production with The Commonwealth Theatre Company and is part of their summer season. This production is geared toward children ages 8 and up. It runs approximately 120 minutes.

"The Legend of Pocahontas," The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati, through August 5. 8 p.m. Thursday, August 2 and Friday, August 3. 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, August 4 and Sunday, August 5. Northern Kentucky University's Corbett Theatre, Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, KY, 41076. Tickets $15. 513-569-8080 ext. 10. Note all seats are general admission. No assigned seating.

The STARsummer training program is designed to provide intensive musical theater training to talented children ages 9-18. The four-week program utilizes nationally acclaimed teaching artists and culminates in a talent showcase where the participants' newly-honed skills are put on display. This year, while bringing this legendary story to life on stage, students in the STAR Program will simultaneously learn about the Algonquin tribe while practicing aspects of theatrical performance. STARis a collaboration with Northern Kentucky University's Department of Theatre and Dance.

This contemporary pop musical follows the classic story of Pocahontas and how she became who she was as an adult. The tale of Pocahontas is a well-known and frequently told one -- but this remarkable story sticks closer to the historical reality of her life, rather than the embellished version created by some other filmmakers and storytellers. Pocahontas led a calm, peaceful life as a small girl, but when strangers arrive in her tribe's native land and attempt to take over, her life course changes drastically. Follow the truthful account of the Algonquin Indians as they are invaded and taken over by Europeans. See how Pocahontas later grows into an intelligent woman and becomes the wife of John Rowe, as well as a diplomat between the Native Americans and European peoples. Experience the high contrast between the rural and peaceful settings of the Native American tribes and the loud and industrial settings of the European establishments. "The Legend of Pocahontas" combines history and storytelling with energetic choreography and beautiful, original, plot-moving musical numbers. However, the musical score for "The Legend of Pocahontas" is not historically accurate -- most songs follow a rock-and-roll style that is catchy and upbeat. All major events in the story are encapsulated in lively song.

Tickets to "The Legend of Pocahontas" are on sale now. For more information, call The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati Box Office at 513-569-8080 ext. 10 (toll-free at 877-233-8282) or visit www.thechildrenstheatre.com.

Photo credit: Phil Groshong