SKELLIG at New Victory Theater NYC- Review

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Skellig 
by
 David Almond
at New Victory Theater NYC
March 4-13, 2011
Anyone that has ever been to New Victory Theater located on 42nd Street in NYC can tell you that it’s a wonderful find for children and families. This was evident over  the weekend, when I had the chance to attend the performance of Skellig!
Skellig is based on the book written by David Almond. Being a teacher for the past 20 years, I had the opportunity to share Skellig with more than a few of my classes. The book is gripping and the story is fast moving. The performance by The Birmingham Stage Company does the book justice.
The company keeps the story moving and the audience right in the middle of it. Skellig deals with many issues that face children and adults every single day. 
Skellig-Angel?Man?Bird?
Michael is a ten year old boy coming to grips with moving to a new house and getting ready to welcome his new baby sister. Soon after the move, the baby makes an early entrance into the world and becomes ill. Mom and Dad are busy dealing with a sick baby, a ten year old, a new house, and their own lives. With extra time on his hands, Michael discovers “someone” in his garage(the same garage his dad is planning to destroy). With the help of his new friend, Michael tries to figure out life and how to deal with it.
The show is wonderful and it does not matter if you have read the book or not, it will be enjoyable to all. It was especially  interesting to attend the show with my eleven year old son, who has not yet read the book. He enjoyed the performance just as much as me and is now, of course, reading, or should I say almost finished with the book (available at the gift shoppe).
The story is a drama and does have some very funny lines in it. But, don’t be surprised if you get a lump or two in your throat as you watch and experience the feelings Skelling ignites.
I absolutely loved seeing the book come to life. 
It was truly a magical experience to see Skellig, hear him talk, feel his pain and ….well, I can’t give it all away, right?
If you have a chance to see Skellig at New Victory Theater, do not miss it! It will not disappoint!
For more information and Tickets to  Skellig and New Victory Theater/for ages 9+
All opinions are that of 3decades3kids.
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Skellig! At New Victory Theater March 4-13th, 2011

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SKELLIG
by
David Almond
at NEW VICTORY THEATER
March 4-13, 2011
Looking for something entertaining for your children 9 and up? Looking for something entertaining for yourself?
Skellig is a great choice! If you have already read the book you can see it come to life. If you haven’t read the book, it’s a perfect follow-up to the show!
Neal Foster, the actor who plays the title character in the stage adaptation of David Almond’s award-winning children’s novel, Skellig, by The Birmingham Stage Company, relishes the challenge of becoming someone — or is it something? — who is as down-and-out as he is enigmatic.
“Skellig may be an aggressive and frightening tramp with arthritis and terrible breath, but you are always made aware there is something very different and mysterious about him. He makes very strong demands on the imagination. One reason I love theater for young people is it often involves characters we rarely meet in adult drama.” said Mr. Foster.

In Skellig by David Almond, Michael, a good-natured 10-year old with more on his plate than the average boy, discovers a grouchy yet strangely mystical vagabond with a taste for brown ale and Chinese take-out hiding out in his family’s garage. Who is he? Did Michael even see him at all? What unfolds is a powerful tale that examines the connections between family, friendship, love and the links between us all.
In the style of RSC’s Nicholas Nickelby, the actors share narration duties while slipping in and out of character. They also provide the instrumental accompaniment. Skellig by David Almond will have its U.S. premiere at The New Victory Theater on March 4 and run through March 13.
The impact of Skellig in British literary circles is quite formidable. In 1998, the book received the Whitbread Children’s Book of the Year Award, and in 2007, it was selected by judges of the CILIP Carnegie Medal for children’s literature as one of the ten most important children’s novels of the past 70 years. Furthermore, in 2010, David Almond received the Hans Christian Andersen medal for his “unique voice” and was described as “a creator of magical realism for children.” His prequel to Skellig, entitled My Name is Mina, was published in September 2010.

Skellig by David Almond is directed by Phil Clark. Design is by Jackie Trousdale, music is by Jak Poore, lighting is by Jason Taylor, and sound is by Lewis Fowler. The cast includes: Ellen Callender, Colin R. Campbell, Christopher Chamberlain, Neal Foster, Victoria Hamnett, Matt Harrison, Dean Logan, Charlotte Palmer, Jak Poore and Charlie Sanderson.

Ticket Information
Theater-goers who buy tickets for three or more New Vic shows qualify for free Membership benefits, including a 35-percent savings.
Tickets for Skellig by David Almond cost $25, $18 and $9 for Members and $38, $28 and $14 for Non-members.
On sale now:
BY PHONE at 646-223-3010; Monday-Friday 12 noon-8 pm; Saturday 10 am-8 pm; Sunday 10 am-5 pm
IN PERSON at The New Victory Theater Box Office; Box office hours: Sunday & Monday 11 am-5 pm; Tuesday-Saturday 11 am -7 pm
Performance Schedule
*indicates Talk-back following the performance. # indicates signed performances.
Fri March 4 7 pm
Sat March 5 2, 7 pm
Sun March 6 3 pm
Fri March 11 7 pm *
Sat March 12 2, 7 pm #
Sun March 13 3 pm