by Fred Stuart for Theatrical Rights Worldwide

Sonia Manzano may not have known it, but she has been preparing to write a musical her whole life! Manzano has played the beloved character Maria on Sesame Street for over 30 years. It seems just a few golden years ago that I used to watch her character come to life each day. Her still youthful appearance matches her infectious energy, especially when discussing her new Theatre for Young Audiences musical, NO DOGS ALLOWED. Her experience with the masterful musical theatre monsters of Muppet land may have accidentally prepared her for her career’s latest incarnation: Musical Theatre book writer!

Sonia Manzano

The journey from page to stage has been a rewarding one for Manzano. After winning 15 writing Emmys at Sesame Street, she penned the brilliant source material for the musical, NO DOGS ALLOWED. She took the plunge into musical theatre writing when she decided to turn that children’s picture book into a musical.

Sonia agreed to sit down for some coffee with me recently, (iced coffee to cool the heat of the New York City summer!) and we discussed the exciting writing process that brought NO DOGS ALLOWED to the stage.

FS: Hiya, Sonia. Thanks for taking some time to have a cup and talk with us about NO DOGS ALLOWED.

SM: You are welcome, Fred. Good to see you again.

FS: Sonia, you taking time out of your uber-busy schedule to hang out for a bit is just great. Thank you!

SM: You’re still welcome.

FS: Got it. Sorry. I know – I’m gushing…! It’s just that — I’m just expressing my gratitude that you would meet for this amazing coffee and chat about NO DOGS ALLOWED.

SM: Great.

FS: Of course. Down to brass tacks and all that. How’s your coffee?

SM: It’s good!

FS: OK, OK. Got it. Mine too. Anyhoo-No Dogs Allowed! the book was written and released in 2004, right?

SM: Yes.

FS: When did you get the idea to develop your awesome kid’s book into a musical?

SM: The best musicals have great stories. Once I wrote a good story, I realized I had perfect material for a musical.

FS: Speaking of great stories, weren’t you in the original company of Godspell?

Sonia: That’s right. And certainly Godspell has one of the most enduring stories ever told…

FS: …couple that with great music…

Sonia: …and you got a hit!

FS: Sonia, you are a musical theatre actor and Sesame Street has always been so genius on doing musical tributes to Broadway and using the musical theatre format in so many ways. Has some of that passion for musical theatre writing rubbed-off on you over the years?

SM: I was born right here in the USA yet found few stories about Latin people to enjoy when I was growing up. I hope my books and other books by Latino writers have remedied that situation for coming generations. Next I’d like to see more Latino stories in theater pieces.

FS: You should write a musical IN Spanish!

SM: My Spanish isn’t good enough! I could write it with a little of both languages. Hmmm. I’ll give that some thought.

FS: I’m just sayin’. I really fell in love with NO DOGS ALLOWED, as you know, and I’m so happy to find out about the nature of the story and how close it is to your family.

SCERA Center's production of NO DOGS ALLOWED in 2010

SM: All the characters in NO DOGS ALLOWED are based on real members of my family. My beautiful cousin Carmen used to take hair curlers wherever we went! My cousin Maria (Marta) read constantly. My mother always cooked three full meals.

FS: And just like in “Just Bring What You Need,” did you-

SM: Yes, we did take tons of stuff on family picnics. But it’s funny how many non- Latinos relate to the story. I can’t tell you how many folks say to me, “My family used to do that too!” I realize again, that we all have the same human experience.

FS: You recently appeared in NYC on stage in “Love, Loss and What I Wore.” Was it pretty cool to be back on stage again? Have you had a throw-down with ELMO over the red thing? (I watched your LOVE, LOSS AND WHAT I WORE video on YouTube.)

SM: Yep. I wore black in that show but had the opportunity to mention jokingly that I can’t wear red, my best color, on Sesame Street because Elmo is red. Oh well, I guess it’s a small price to pay to be near greatness! (Laughs) But the stage is my first love. The immediacy and intimacy of it is exciting.

FS: You stay so busy in the biz…Are you planning more books and musicals?

SM: Maybe. I’m writing a Young Adult novel for Scholastic that will be out in the fall of 2012!

FS: Fantastic! We’ll be looking for that.

SM: Thank you.

FS: So…one more question while we wait for the check?

SM: One more.

FS: Does it ever get tiresome when all the grown-up guys who watched Sesame Street over the years confess that they had huge crushes on Maria?

SM: Never!

FS: Cool. Thanks again, Sonia…See you soon!

For information about licensing your production of NO DOGS ALLOWED, visit the show’s homepage at www.theatricalrights.com. And be sure to visit the PerusalsNow™ Store where you can INSTANTLY download and read any show in the TRW catalogue!

Omaha, Nebraska’s Rose Theater is committed to enriching the lives of children and families through live theater and arts education. In addition to being the only resident, touring, professional theatre company in Omaha, the Rose is committed to making a positive difference in their city. The organization makes sure that the Rose is accessible to all children.  No child is ever turned away for economic reasons.  “Pay-what-you-can” evenings are offered for most productions. Thousands of tickets are given to area youth-serving charities year after year. TRW is proud to partner with the Rose in bringing NO DOGS ALLOWED to Omaha. The musical plays March 2nd-18th, 2012.

In addition to NO DOGS ALLOWED, Omaha’s TYA powerhouse has a great season for ’11-’12, TRW’s HOW I BECAME A PIRATE, which plays the Rose October 14th-30th, 2011.

For information about licensing your production of NO DOGS ALLOWED, visit the show’s homepage at www.theatricalrights.com.

Box office booty is rolling in everywhere the rollicking musical HOW I BECAME A PIRATE is playing! From Florida to Kansas to California and everywhere in-between, this shiver-me-timbers tuner is a truly irresistible adaptation of the beloved children’s book of the same name. Ever popular with youthful theatre-goers, HOW I BECAME A PIRATE can give your season the boost you’re looking for!

Check out one of the productions happening near you!

HOW I BECAME A PIRATE 2011-2012:

September 9, 2011 – September 25, 2011
San Diego Junior Theatre
San Diego, CA

September 10, 2011 – September 18, 2011
Villagers Theatre
North Brunswick, NJ

September 22, 2011 – September 24, 2011
Homewood-Flossmoor High School
Flossmoor, IL

September 29, 2011 – October 3, 2011
Cordova High School – Wolfpack Playhouse
Cordova, TN

September 30, 2011 – October 2, 2011
Huntsville High School Drama
Huntsville, AL

October 9, 2011
Tyrone Community Players
Tyrone, PA

October 14, 2011 – October 30, 2011
Omaha Theater Company
Omaha, NE

October 21, 2011 – October 28, 2011
Frostburg State University Theatre
Frostburg, MD

October 17, 2011 – November 4, 2011
SCERA Center for the Arts
Orem, UT

October 27, 2011 – October 30, 2011
Sioux City Community Theatre
Sioux City, IA

November 5, 2011 – November 26, 2011
Plaza Theatrical Productions
Lynbrook, NY

November 17, 2011 – November 19, 2011
Culture House
Olathe, KS

December 9, 2011 - December 30, 2011
Salt Lake Acting Company
Salt Lake City, UT

January 18, 2012 - January 22, 2012
El Dorado High School
Placentia, CA

January 26, 2012 – April 1 2012
Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities Theatre
Arvada, CO

February 2, 2012 - February 5, 201
Eau Claire Children’s Theatre
Eau Claire, WI

February 25, 2012 – March 31, 2012
Derby Dinner Playhouse
Clarksville, IN

March 2, 2012 – March 3, 2012
Shawnee Mission North High School
Overland Park, KS

March 5, 2012 – April 5, 2012
Main Street Theater For Youth
Houston, TX

March 9, 2012 – March 25, 2012
Town Hall Theatre
Centerville, OH

March 16, 2012 – March 24, 2012
Kalamazoo Civic Theatre
Kalamazoo, MI

April 11, 2012 – May 6, 201
Jefferson Performing Arts Society (JPAS)
Metairie, LA

June 13, 2012 - June 14, 2012
Gainesville Parks and Recreation Department
Gainesville, GA

October 4, 2012 - October 27, 2012
Mount Wachusett Community College Theatre Deptartment
Gardner, MA

HOW I BECAME A PIRATE

With book, music and lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman the Based upon the book “How I Became a Pirate”
Written by Melinda Long and Illustrations by David Shannon

For information about producing your production of HOW I BECAME A PIRATE, visit the show’s homepage at www.theatricalrights.com.

TRW is proud to announce the acquisition and release of the terrific new TYA tuner AWESOME ALLIE: FIRST KID ASTRONAUT. This high-flying musical was a smash hit at NYC’s Vital Theatre (PINKALICIOUS) and is now available for licensing throughout the world. From the pens of  Scott Elmegreen (book) and Drew Fornarola (music & lyrics), AWESOME ALLIE is the story of Allie,  just a normal kid who is…headed into outer space! With the help of her trusty talking dog Captain Chaos and Rover the Dancing Robot from Mars, Allie’s on a mission across the solar system to save Earth, and maybe learn some things about science along the way. But she’d better be home in time for dinner! Grab your space suit and get ready for an adventure that’s out of this world!

Get set to lift-off with AWESOME ALLIE: FIRST KID ASTRONAUT! Check out the show’s homepage at www.theatricalrights.com and you’ll be on the TYA launchpad in no time!

New York City’s New Victory Theater has landed Theatre for Young Audiences phenomenon LUCKY DUCK! Featuring music by Henry Krieger, lyrics by Bill Russell, and book by Bill Russell & Jeffrey Hatcher, this bright and brilliant TYA tuner was produced in 2010 by the Coterie Theatre in Kansas City, directed by Artistic Director Jeff Church, with musical direction by Anthony Edwards and choreography by Ernie Nolan. The Coterie is re-mounting the show in KC at the Folly Theatre from March 6-12, 2012 before bringing the show into NYC for a March 16-25, 2012 run.

For information on licensing your production of LUCKY DUCK, visit the show’s homepage at www.theatricalrights.com.

Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre & Children’s Theatre has been a leader in the the Frederick, MD performing arts community since it first opened its doors in late 1990 as Keynote Dinner Theatre. Known for top-quality Broadway style shows, the organization boasts a thriving children’s theatre that has become an integral part of the community.

In a phenomenal season that includes a great line-up of family entertainment, Way Off Broadway is presenting DORA THE EXPLORER LIVE: DORA’S PIRATE ADVENTURE, now playing through November 5th, 2011. D

This delightful musical follows Dora, her best buddy Boots the Monkey, and the rest of their friends embark on an exciting trip to Treasure Island. The audience helps them navigate over Dancing Mountain, through Silly Singing Bridge, and to confront the Pirate Piggies. Along the way, the audience will use their map-reading, counting, musical and language skills to successfully help Dora reach the treasure. All ends happily onstage with a “yo-ho-ho!”

DORA THE EXPLORER LIVE at the Way Off Broadway Theatre

DORA THE EXPLORER LIVE: DORA’S PIRATE ADVENTURE is part of the Nickelodeon Live On Stage Collection, exclusively available through TRW. The collection includes DORA, BLUE’S CLUES LIVE, and RUGRATS: A LIVE ADVENTURE. For information about licensing your production of one of the Nickelodeon Live On Stage Collection titles from TRW, visit the show’s home pages at www.theatricalrights.com!

To catch a production of DORA THE EXPLORER LIVE: DORA’S PIRATE ADVENTURE, check out of these upcoming shows:

September 17, 2011 – November 5, 2011

Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre & Children’s Theatre, Frederick, MD

October 7, 2011 – October 23, 2011                                                                                                                                                                                                         Valley Youth Theatre, Phoenix, AZ

November 18, 2011 – November 18, 2011                                                                                                                                                                                           Stage One Youth Theatre, Richmond, IN

December 2, 2011 – December 4, 2011                                                                                                                                                                                                             Five Towns College Theatre Arts Dept., Dix Hills, NY

February 10, 2012 – February 11, 2012                                                                                                                                                                                          Worldwide Theatricals, Yucaipa, CA

April 7, 2011 – April 28, 2011                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Plaza Theatrical Productions, Lynbrook, NY

April 12, 2012 – April 21, 2012                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Eau Claire Children’s Theatre, Eau Claire, WI

July 6, 2012 – August 4, 2012                                                                                                                                                                                                                Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Fort Myers, FL

Playbill.com reports today that the first National Tour of the Broadway hit THE ADDAMS FAMILY will begin at the Mahalia Jackson Theatre in New Orleans, LA on September 15, before hitting the road for an extended North American jaunt. The much anticipated tour is currently booked through August of 2012. Get all the casting, tour and production news on THE ADDAM’S FAMILY on Broadway and on tour at www.playbill.com.

Ben H. Winters

TRW’s rollicking and romantic musical BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO boasts an unforgettable score featuring Neil Sedaka’s incredible catalogue of smash hits. The show has a bright and bouncy original book by Ben H. Winters who has just published “Bedbugs: A Novel.”

Check out the 9/14/2011 Metro article noting the release of Ben’s new book. http://www.metro.us/newyork/entertainment/article/967171–ben-h-winters-when-the-bedbugs-do-bite

For information about BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO, visit the shows homepage at www.theatricalrights.com.