MEET JOHN TARTAGLIA OF DISNEY CHANNEL'S “JOHNNY AND THE SPRITES”
AT THE WORLD OF DISNEY NEW YORK CITY ON JANUARY 19th & 20th
Tony® Award-Nominee John Tartaglia and Sprite Puppet pal, Root appear at the World of Disney® New York City to Promote the Upcoming "Johnny and the Sprites"
Benefit Concert for Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS
(January 15, 2008 – New York, NY) On Saturday, January 19 at 11:00 AM and 2:00PM and Sunday, January 20 at 11:30 and 2:00 PM, Tony® Award-nominee John Tartaglia, star of the Disney Channel’s hit Playhouse Disney Series “Johnny and the Sprites” will be on hand with his “Sprite” (puppet) pal Root to meet and greet their little (and big) fans at the World of Disney® New York City store (located on the corner of 5th Avenue and 55th Street, 711 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY) to promote the February 3, 2008 5:00 PM performance of JOHNNY AND THE SPRITES LIVE – A SPOFULOUS BROADWAY CONCERT benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS at Town Hall in New York City.
This in-store event is one of several leading up to the February 3rd JOHNNY AND THE SPRITES LIVE – A SPOFULOUS BROADWAY CONCERT, an evening of songs and stories featuring faces familiar to fans of the popular TV show. The event at World of Disney will include a mini-performance followed by a meet and greet and photo opportunity with Johnny and Root. The performance at the World of Disney® NYC is free and open to the public. There is limited seating and guests will be admitted on a first-come-first-serve basis.
JOHNNY AND THE SPRITES LIVE – A SPOFULOUS BROADWAY CONCERT will take place at Town Hall in New York City (123 West 43rd Street) on February 3, 2008 and will feature “Sprites” (puppets): Ginger, Basil, Lily and Root who will all be on hand to sing, dance, and celebrate in a most “spofulous” way. For those unfamiliar with the word, “Spoffle” comes from the tops of trees found in the Sprites’ home, Grotto Grove. Spoffle brings plants, flowers, and the earth to life. “Spofulous” is a term used mostly by Ginger Sprite. It is a Sprite adjective which translates into “Fabulous!”, “Fantastic!”, and “Awesome!” in human terms. To make the event extra spofulous, after the show there will be a meet and greet where Johnny and his Sprite friends will be on hand to sign autographs, take pictures and wish fans a happy hello.
JOHNNY AND THE SPRITES LIVE – A SPOFULOUS BROADWAY CONCERT is the first time Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS has presented a large scale event for young audiences. Kids, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends alike will all be welcome to come in from the cold winter air and enjoy the warmth, laughter and fun with Johnny and his magical friends.
"Johnny and the Sprites" combines the musical talent of Broadway's best with vibrant, endearing puppet characters in a whimsical setting to create a one-of-a-kind program for preschool viewers and their families. Tartaglia stars as Johnny, a singer/songwriter who moves out to the country after inheriting a family home. He soon discovers a portal in his backyard leading to the enchanted world of the Sprites: Ginger, Basil, Lily, Root and Sage. Together, Johnny and the Sprites share valuable lessons about mutual understanding, tolerance and respect for the world around them. Each half-hour episode consists of two 11-minute stories featuring music from some of the theater world's most celebrated songwriters.
All proceeds from this event and the upcoming concert will benefit Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS. Tickets to JOHNNY AND THE SPRITES LIVE – A SPOFULOUS BROADWAY CONCERT at Town Hall on February 8th can be purchased online at http://www.broadwaycares.org/ or by calling 212.840.0770 x268.
Tony® Award-nominated actor and puppeteer John Tartaglia is executive producer and star of Disney Channel's new Playhouse Disney series, "Johnny and the Sprites." Tartaglia earned a Tony Award nomination for his starring role in the original cast of the hugely successful Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, "Avenue Q," for which he originated the roles of Princeton and Rod in the show's early Off-Broadway days. Tartaglia was most recently seen on Broadway starring as Lumiere in Disney's "Beauty and the Beast." A 10-year veteran of "Sesame Street," Tartaglia is one of the youngest puppeteers ever to perform on the show, starting at the age of 16. In addition to his work on "Sesame Street," he also starred in Sesame Workshop's innovative English as a Foreign Language project, "Sesame English," which currently airs worldwide. Tartaglia has also appeared on Disney Channel's "Bear in the Big Blue House" and "JoJo's Circus" and Discovery Channel's "Animal Jam."
The World of Disney® New York City store, located in the heart of Manhattan’s premier shopping district at 711 5th Avenue (at 55th Street), has something for everyone. World of Disney® New York has the greatest selection of Disney gifts, plus Character Meet & Greets, authentic Theme Park merchandise and an amazing Disney Art Gallery. A great way to experience Walt Disney World magic with a New York twist! Call 212-702-0702 or visit http://www.worldofdisney.com/.
Playhouse Disney, seen in a daily programming block on Disney Channel U.S. and on ten Playhouse Disney channels around the world, encourages preschoolers to imagine and learn through original series, short-form and acquired programming that includes song, movement and entertainment. Guided by an established curriculum, Playhouse Disney supports multiple areas of child development: physical, emotional, social and cognitive; thinking and creative skills as well as moral and ethical development through carefully constructed themes, storylines and endearing characters.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) is the nation's leading industry-based, not-for-profit AIDS fundraising and grant making organization. BC/EFA is the on-going, committed response from the American Theatre community to an urgent worldwide health crisis. By drawing upon the talents, resources, and generosity of this community, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes across the United States. Since its founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $140 million for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV or HIV-related illnesses. For information on BC/EFA’s events, programs and services visit http://www.broadwaycares.org/
Purchase tickets today to JOHNNY AND THE SPRITES LIVE and you’re automatically eligible to win a FREE 7 day R FAMILY VACATIONS Cruise to Canada and New England for up to four passengers. Restrictions may apply. Minimum show purchase, two (2) tickets.
R Family Cruise to Canada & New EnglandJuly 13-20, 2008
One Outside Stateroom for up to Four passengers
Sails from NYC
Please note port taxes, govt. fees and gratuities ($300 per person) are not included as well as all optional onboard expenses (excursions, spa services, beverages).
For more cruise details visit: http://www.rfamilyvacations.com/cruise_summer08/index.html
Raffle winners will be chosen at random and contacted after February 5th 2008
Order Tickets Online!
OR:
Call 212.840.0770 x 268
