20,000 RCSD STUDENTS TO SEE SWEET HOUSE!

Rochester Children's Theatre's original musical, Sweet House: Hansel and Gretel with a Bold New Flavor, will tour into all 40 Rochester City School District elementary schools this fall and winter, reaching 20,000 at-risk students.

"We are thrilled to have this opportunity to share our message of making healthy choices with so many children, and it couldn't happen without the committed support from people and organizations who understand the urgency of our nation's childhood obesity crisis," says Rochester Children's Theatre Artistic Producing Director Deborah Haber, who is also the show's co-writer and director. Local Emmy-nominated composer, Casey Filiaci, is co-writer and musical director for Sweet House, which made its world premiere at Nazareth College Arts Center in December of 2010.

In addition to thousands of area families and students, more than 2,500 RSCD students saw last season's energetic and entertaining live show, which received overwhelmingly positive feedback from administrators and faculty. Included in RCT's upcoming tour into City schools is a pre-performance professional development video for teachers, a post-performance workshop with students, a curriculum-based New York State Learning Standards study guide, and appearances at parents' information conferences.

"The opportunity for RCSD elementary students to see Rochester Children's Theatre's production of Sweet House is both timely and relevant," says Deborah Harloff, RCSD Executive Director of Visual and Performing Arts. "The need for developing healthy eating habits and routine exercise is reinforced through this lively and engaging production, and these messages are delivered in a fun and engaging format."

Sweet House uses the language of today's youth combined with energizing music and dance to get across its healthy point. A music video of Sweet House's "Let's Move!" song features 37 local children as well as the five-member cast of Sweet House, and will be used during performances as well as to promote the show's message on YouTube, etc.

Several private community performances and appearances in clinics and children's hospitals will take place, and producers hope to present a public performance of Sweet House as well.