Production will highlight hope for the future

Netcong —The Growing Stage - The Children’s Theatre of New Jersey and Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey will present “The Journey Series,” featuring productions “highlighting the challenge and hope for a better tomorrow.” The series, which will run Jan. 31, will include the New Jersey premiere of “Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie” and the re-mounting of “Our Dad is in Atlantis,” which was presented earlier at Playwrights Theatre this season. “Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie” is a story of courage, tragedy, kindness, and forgiveness. Thirteen-year-old Hattie Campbell’s father dreamed of a new life in Oregon. He dreamed of free land, mild winters, and good soil. He wanted to leave behind a life in Missouri marked by an increased population, high taxes, and sad memories of young children dead from swamp fever. Hattie’s tale is told through the friendship she develops with Pepper, whose family is also a part of the wagon train traveling the Oregon Trail. Hattie’s story is of daily encounters with death: a baby, an old man, river drownings and dead oxen. Such sadness is countered with Hattie’s and Pepper’s observations of love, the miracle of new life, and the kindness of people who help each other through desperate times. The characters’ journey to Oregon is marked by geographic peaks and valleys as well as the peaks and valleys of emotions the pioneers experienced on their grueling trip. The performance schedule is Friday, Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 23 at 4 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan.31 at 4 p.m. “Our Dad is in Atlantis” focuses on the journey of two young boys today. After the death of their mother, the father of two young Mexican boys leaves them with their grandmother, while he goes to the U.S. looking for better work. When the grandmother dies, the boys are sent off to distant relatives, and when that situation becomes too difficult, they decide to head off on their own to find their father. “This is a very moving story about two boys’ devotion to their father and each other,” said John Pietrowski, artistic director. “Their journey and their often humorous sibling behavior, put a very human face on the plight many immigrants and would-be immigrants face today.” The performance schedule is: Friday, Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 16 at 4 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 23 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 24 at 4 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 29 at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Jan.30 at 4 p.m. Both productions, which are recommended for young people age eight and older, will run concurrently at the theater. Tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for children and seniors. Reservations can be made by calling the theatre box office at 973- 347-4946 or by visiting www.growingstage.com.