Schoolhouse Rock Live!
Originally Adapted and Produced for the Stage by Theatre BAM
From the Series Created by George Newall and Tom Yohe
Based on an idea by David McCall
Book by Scott Ferguson, George Keating and Kyle Hall
Music and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Bob Dorough, Dave Frishberg, Kathy Mandry, George Newall and Tom Yohe
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Encore Engagement
October 18 - November 9, 2003
Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center
The Program
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The Setting
Tom's apartment on the first day of school. September 10, 2001.
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Schoolhouse Rock Live!
was originally produced by Theatre BAM at Café Voltaire in Chicago, Illinois,
premiering on August 26, 1993.
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Production Notes
"Knowledge is Power!"
-- Schoolhouse Rock
Director's Notes
During ReAct's original production in March of 2002, I took numerous opportunities
to walk around the streets of Seattle dressed
in our "Bill" costume to help promote the show.
I was constantly amazed at the number of people,
both young and old who not only instantly recognized
who I was dressed as, but also began singing "I'm
Just a Bill" to me. I thought how incredible it
was that a cartoon character could become such
a recognizable American icon.
It all began back in 1973. Advertising executive
David McCall couldn't understand why his eleven
year old son knew all the lyrics to every Beatles
song, and yet had trouble memorizing his multiplication
tables. With the help of Tom Yohe, George Newall,
and jazz pianist Bob Dorough they set to work
creating the cartoon concept for "Three is a Magic
Number." Michael Eisner, The head of ABC-TV's
Children's programming at the time, loved the
idea and SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK was born. Additional
talent was brought in and over the next several years
many more cartoon spots were created, over 30
in all, covering topics such as grammar, multiplication,
science, American history and computers. Tunes such as "Conjuction
Junction" and "I'm Just a Bill" quickly became
hits among millions of Americans, and
SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK worked its way permanently into
our pop culture and national psyche.
This Emmy Award winning series played on television through
1985 and I grew up watching it along with the
rest of my generation. I've often thought it would
make a fun theatrical show, and was pleased
to learn that in 1993, Chicago's Theatre BAM had
done just that. Their production of
Schoolhouse Rock Live! with a cast of six singing the songs in a musical
revue-like presentation became an immediate hit.
When the tragedies of 9/11 struck America in the fall of
2001, I searched to find an uplifting show to work on.
In light of the political climate at the time, what better choice
than SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK? Our original production was warmly embraced
by the public and broke all attendance records for our company at that time,
selling out at the Langston Hughes. The number of teachers, children and
adults who have relayed their thanks and appreciation of our show was truly
inspiring and thus we decided to bring it back to our mainstage for this
special encore celebrating not only the close of our 10th Anniversary Season,
but also both the 30th Anniversary of SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK and the 10th Anniversary
of Theatre BAM's creation of Schoolhouse Rock Live! It has been a delight
working on it again, much like it was the first time when we originally
created our version of the show, and developed our unique staging and choreography.
Schoolhouse Rock Live! is a little campy, a wee bit corny, kinda patriotic, but definitely
A LOT of fun! For many, myself included, the show is a charming sojourn back to bygone innocent Saturday
morning memories, a brief eighty minute escape from current
world worries and woes. My hope is that it entertained and
uplifted the spirits of all who got the chance to see it.
And as our country continues to muddle through these somewhat strange uncertain times, one thing is
for sure,..."Knowledge is Power!"
--David Hsieh, Director of Schoolhouse Rock Live!
>>Purchase DVD's and Posters
>>ReAct's Original Production
>>Unofficial Schoolhouse Rock Website
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ReAct's presentation of Schoolhouse
Rock Live! was presented through special arrangement with
and all authorized performance materials supplied by MUSIC
THEATRE INTERNATIONAL, 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY
10019. Tel.: (212) 541-4684 Fax: (212) 397-4684 www.MTIShows.com
Schoolhouse Rock © American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. Images used with permission.
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Castmembers pose for a
publicity photo for ReAct's
encore of Schoolhouse Rock
Live!
Photo: David Hsieh.
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Castmembers perform "Interplanet
Janet" in a publicity photo for
ReAct's Schoolhouse Rock Live!
remount.
Photo: David Hsieh.
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Special Thanks To...
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ABC-TV for production support
The Cast & Crew for production support
Civic Light Opera for loaned costume piece
The Elliott Bay Book Company for promotional support
George Paul Glanzman for loaned set piece
Allen Go & his Truck for transportation support
Lee Ann Hittenberger for costuming support
Melvin Inouye & his Truck for transportation support
Catherine Kettrick for loaned properties
KMTT for media coverage
The Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center for production support
The ReAct Board for production & catering support
Rick Wong & Rk Productions for videography
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