Be Unstoppable: A Celebration of Healthy Kids in the Arts

George Street Playhouse is proud to host “Be Unstoppable: A Celebration of Healthy Kids in the Arts” as part of the New Brunswick Cultural Center’s Hub City Sounds Festival on Saturday, September 19, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The free event will feature a performance by GSP’s Educational Touring Theatre of Austin the Unstoppable, its original musical promoting health and wellness, on the Playhouse’s Mainstage at 10:30 a.m. The day includes interactive activities, a healthy lunch and a performance by American Repertory Ballet dancers.

The event also serves as the official “kick-off” of a partnership between The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey and George Street Playhouse for Austin the Unstoppable, the tale of an 11-year-old gamer and junk food junkie named Austin who – along with his family – must face the consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle when his mother is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The production explores the challenges the family must face when having to make healthy choices together.

The musical, with book and lyrics by Barry Wyner and music by Daniel Israel, was commissioned by George Street Playhouse through The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey as well as through the Victoria J. Mastrobuono New Work Development Program and Bristol-Myers Squibb. Research for the development of Austin the Unstoppable was provided by Shaping NJ. The show features the talents of Alexa Adderley, Kirk Geritano, Alexa Johnson and James Ross.

Immediately following the performance, a discussion with the audience about topics and issues explored during the performance will take place in the Mainstage theatre. A free lunch will follow in the Playhouse’s Cabaret, with activity and information tables available to guests.

The event is capped off at 1 p.m. by American Repertory Ballet dancers who will present Grumpy Bird, a children’s ballet based on the children’s book by Jeremy Tankard that is choreographed by Matthew Keefe and set to music by Mozart, and Mary Barton’s Once Upon a Summer’s Day.

The performance will mark the fourth consecutive year that GSP’s Educational Touring Theatre has participated in the Hub City Sounds Festival. For further information on this and other GSP Touring Theatre performances, contact GSP’s Education Department at (732) 846-2895, ext. 117, or education@georgestplayhouse.org.