Theatre Raymond Kabbaz Presents
The Ugliest Duckling
A Puppet Theatre Performance
By Tears of Joy Theatre
Thursday, December 6, 2012

Hans Christian Andersen’s Classic Tale with a Twist … Down Under!

LOS ANGELES, CA – November 21, 2012 – Tears of Joy Theatre will perform The Ugliest Duckling, a puppet theatre version of the classic Hans Christian Andersen tale, at Theatre Raymond Kabbaz at Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles, on Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 7:30pm.  Set in Australia and starring a cast of colorful creatures in tabletop rod puppet form, The Ugliest Duckling adds a new twist to the beloved story.  Written by playwright Marc Dunworth, The Ugliest Duckling features a baby platypus that will never grow into a graceful swan. The story is one of self-acceptance and will be performed by Tears of Joy Theatre, known internationally for bringing amazing puppet theatre to audiences young and old.  Tickets cost $15 ($10 for children) and are available at https://www.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?m=241d6077b39728479d58e072170e1c6f&t=tix.  Theatre Raymond Kabbaz is located at 10361 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064.  To learn more about Theatre Raymond Kabbaz, please visit http://www.theatreraymondkabbaz.com.

“The original Ugly Duckling is a parable about personal transformation – overcoming awkwardness and growing into a beautiful creature,” says Pierre Leloup, Theatre Raymond Kabbaz Director, “The Ugliest Duckling, however, is all about accepting who we are, as we are – learning to appreciate what makes us different.”

The Ugliest Duckling –
Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling heads down under!  Set in Australia and starring a cast of vibrant and colorful creatures, The Ugliest Duckling adds a new twist to an old tale.  Imagine mother duck’s surprise when an egg in her nest hatches into a platypus.  The story follows Yuckay the Platypus, who gains self-confidence as he uses his talents to help others and bravely faces Kurreah the Crocodile.  The Ugliest Duckling reminds us that everyone is unique.  With a the help of a cast of memorable characters such as Garndula the Kangaroo and Piggliebillah the Spiny Anteater, Yuckay brings confidence to the ugly duckling in all of us.

Tears of Joy Theatre –
Tears of Joy Theatre is recognized as one of the nation’s outstanding puppet theatres, known internationally for its innovation and excellence. Reg and Janet Bradley originally founded the company in Hawaii in 1971.  In 1973, the Bradleys returned to the Portland, Oregon area, accompanied by Norman and Dale Kaneko, and began touring throughout the Northwest.  In 1980, Tears of Joy Theatre was reorganized as a not for profit corporation.  Tears of  Joy is currently a resident company in the Winningstad Theatre at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts.  It also continues to tour widely throughout the West as well as offer a variety of educational programs in the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area.  The organization has received a Washington State Governor’s Arts Award and a Young Audiences Sunburst Award for its “exemplary commitment to arts in education.”  Four of the theatre’s productions have received American puppetry’s highest honor, The Citation of Excellence in the Art of Puppetry from UNIMA-USA. http://www.tojt.org

Theatre Raymond Kabbaz–
Theatre Raymond Kabbaz is a non-profit institution dedicated to the promotion of art and culture in the West Los Angeles area.  This 220-seat theatre welcomes multidisciplinary and multicultural shows.  TRK’s mission is to be an open window on French and international cultures, as well as to inspire and sustain a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

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For more information, photos or to schedule an interview, please contact Green Galactic’s Lynn Tejada at 213-840-1201 or lynn@greengalactic.com.