W-S Symphony to launch Ignite Family Series with ‘Green Eggs & Ham’ musical
A child enjoys reading a book in the children’s area of Bookmarks.
By Judie Holcomb-Pack
Would you eat them here or there? Would you eat them anywhere? This is the burning question that’s been pondered by children of all ages since the book by Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, was first published in 1960.
The Winston-Salem Symphony will launch its new Ignite Family Series with “Green Eggs & Ham: A Musical Setting by Robert Kapilow.” The event will be held on Sunday, Oct. 23, with festivities beginning at 2 p.m. in SECCA’s McChesney Scott Dunn Auditorium.
The classic rhyming storybook will be interpreted by a chamber orchestra and singer and is sure to delight both young readers and even their parents who grew up on the whimsical stories of Dr. Seuss. The symphony has partnered with Bookmarks and Kaleideum to provide an array of kid-friendly activities. Bookmarks will have a book fair beginning at 2 p.m. and a story time with a reading of “Green Eggs and Ham” and Kaleideum will offer an interactive craft activity. There will also be a symphony “petting zoo” where children can touch and play various musical instruments.
Lupe Penn, Bookmarks youth and schools manager, said they were excited when the symphony approached them with the opportunity to partner on this event. “When they talked with us about their Ignite Family Series, we were excited to partner with them. It was a very organic fit for us because it is about stories and books,” Penn said. “Books can be doors and they can be mirrors. … they (kids) can get excited about one book and that creates opportunities to love to read and fall in love with books.”
In a press release announcing the launch of the Ignite Family Series, E. Merritt Vale, Winston-Salem Symphony president & CEO, said, “The Symphony’s mission is to bring music to life, and these concerts aim to do that for the most junior members of our community. They not only encourage young people to appreciate music from a young age, but they are also fun and can provide a great afternoon of entertainment for the whole family.”
Filipino-American Ian Passmore will conduct Green Eggs & Ham. Atlanta-based soprano Casey Margerum makes her Winston-Salem debut with this production. Tickets are $18 for children and $36 for adults and can be purchased by calling the Symphony Box Office at 336-464-0145 or online at wssymphony.org.
