First Too Much Coffee Man the Opera, now this. Jimmy Gownley sent me a note earlier this week letting me know that his all-ages comic book series, Amelia Rules, is being made into a musical by Small Pond Productions, a theater group based in Marlborough, NH. The show was written and directed by one Michael Cohen and will have its debut Dec. 6-8:
Adapted from a Christmas themed story that appeared in the first Amelia volume, “Amelia Rules: The Whole World’s Crazy,” the musical relates how 9-year-old superhero-wannabe Reggie Grabinsky enlists his superhero crew to try to prove Santa is a fraud.
Music and lyrics for the show are by New Hampshire musician/composer Michael Cohen.
“As editor of the Amelia Books I’ve been with these characters since their inception, and watched them grow and mature over the years,” says Cohen. “Knowing them so well made writing the songs for this musical so much easier, more like writing songs for old friend.”
You can read the full press release after the jump.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 25, 2007
AMELIA RULES! MUSICAL SET TO HIT THE STAGE
“A Very Ninja Christmas” based on Jimmy Gownley’s popular graphic novel series “Amelia Rules!” is about to premier!
Adapted from a Christmas themed story that appeared in the first Amelia volume, “Amelia Rules: The Whole World’s Crazy,” the musical relates how 9-year-old superhero-wannabe Reggie Grabinsky enlists his superhero crew to try to prove Santa is a fraud.
Music and lyrics for the show are by New Hampshire musician/composer Michael Cohen.
“As editor of the Amelia Books I’ve been with these characters since their inception, and watched them grow and mature over the years,” says Cohen. “Knowing them so well made writing the songs for this musical so much easier, more like writing songs for old friend.”
The mostly-child cast began showing a dedication to the work right away. Cohen was especially impressed when 11 year old Kasey Perkins came to the audition dressed in Amelia’s red t-shirt, black pants and tennis shoes. “She got the role because she can sing and act great, but the fact that she took the time to research the comic cinched it for us.”
“It’s going to be a real thrill to see all these talented people bring my comic book to life,” beams Amelia Rules! creator Jimmy Gownley. “Michael’s songs are great, and I can’t wait until opening night!”
The premier of “A Very Ninja Christmas” will be in Marlborough, New Hampshire on December 6,7,8 2007. It is produced by Small Pond Productions. Plans to make the musical available to other theater companies is in the works.
You can find more information on these performances at:
http://www.smallpondpresents.com
November 29th, 2007 at 10:56 am
Get the comics into the hands of kids, and look what happens. Jimmy is a very lucky, and a very savvy man. Congrats.
Scholastic Books is getting Bone into more schools and kids’s hands than (I’d say) all the LCS in the country combined.
November 29th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Great news!
Congrats to all!
November 29th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
Awesome.
I love this series and hope to be able to catch this at a local theater company or even on DVD or Youtube.
December 3rd, 2007 at 5:46 am
How did I miss this? Good luck guys.
September 18th, 2008 at 1:37 am
This weekend we shot for the movie Amelia Rules! I played Reggie and I felt so lucky to get the part and meet Jimmy and Michael. The roles of Amelia and Rhonda were the same, but Reggie and Pajaman were replaced by me and my friend Jamie. I think the DVD will be able to be ordered in mid-October. It was amazing and I hope the soundtrack gets on iTunes.