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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2005

Contact: Contact: Mike Emery
713.743.8186 (office)
713.415.6551 (pager)
pemery@uh.edu

Jerry Bock’s classic songs are lighting up Broadway in “Fiddler on the Roof,” but the Tony-winning composer will debut his latest works at the University of Houston’s 2005 Children’s Theatre Festival (CTF).

“The Land of Broken Toys” premieres Tuesday, June 21, in UH’s Lyndall Finley Wortham Theatre.

Written by Sidney Berger, director of the School of Theatre, and with songs by Bock, the play tells the story of a disabled boy whose toys teach him how to rise above his physical limitations.

Founded by Berger and Bren Dubay in 1978, CTF entertains 25,500 children annually with colorful productions featuring professional casts and crews. In 2000, Berger invited Bock to participate in the festival and since then, the songwriter has composed original material for new generations of theater-goers.

“Jerry treats the festival as he would a Broadway production,” Berger said. “It raises the expectations of the audiences and the performances of our casts. His presence has made a huge difference in the quality of our plays.”

In 1965, Bock received two Tony awards – Best Composer and Best Musical – for “Fiddler on the Roof.” His songs also have entertained audiences in Broadway productions such as “She Loves Me,” “The Apple Tree” and “Fiorello.”

“Seeing young audiences’ reactions to these plays is magical,” Bock said. “I relish the opportunity to write for this festival.”

Tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for children 14 and under. For more information about the Children’s Theatre Festival, visit http://www.class.uh.edu/theatre/Performance/ctf.htm or call (713) 743-2929.

For more information about UH visit the university’s ‘Newsroom’ at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.