"Are You My Mother?" To Be Performed in UB Center for the Arts

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The UB Center for the Arts will present The Tops Family Adventure Series featuring ArtsPower's original adaptation of "Are You My Mother?" at 2 p.m. Oct. 27 in the Mainstage Theatre in the Center for the Arts on the UB North (Amherst) Campus.

UB Center for the Arts TOPS Family Adventure series is sponsored by TOPS Friendly Markets, WGRZ-TV and WJYE-FM.

Free children's activities will be provided in the center's atrium one hour prior to the performance. Activities include face painting, Halloween crafts and costume contest.

Based on P.D. Eastman's popular book for young readers, "Are You My Mother?" is ArtsPower's enchanting musical about Baby Bird's journey -- a journey that overflows with courage and determination.

Told with humor, sensitivity and a bit of calculated silliness, this touching story shows how loss can be turned into empowerment and how Baby Bird happily finds more than she is looking for.

"Are You My Mother?" features a rich and upbeat musical score, imaginative sets and costumes. Adapted and directed by Greg Gunning, with music by Richard DeRosa and Gunning, and lyrics by Gunning, "Are You My Mother?" premiered in 1993 and has been performed in some of the leading cultural centers across the United States.

The story: Baby Bird emerges from her shell to find…an empty nest! Where is her mother? Why isn't she home? Has she been abandoned? Not knowing her mother has left to look for food, Baby Bird decides to leave the nest to find her. During her adventure, Baby Bird meets an array of colorful characters, all of whom have some advice for the lost bird. Unfortunately, the cat is not her mother, the hen is not her mother and the dog certainly is not her mother. Baby Bird, however, is persistent. She is determined to find her, no matter what.

Founded by Gary and Mark Blackman in 1985, ArtsPower National Touring theater is one of the premier American theater companies for young and family audiences. ArtsPower has created 13 original musical theater, dance and instrumental music productions that have been seen by more than three million people. The company is headquartered in Montclair, N.J.

Tickets for "Are You My Mother?" are $12 for adults, and $10 for children ages 12 and under and seniors. Audience members who present a TOPS Bonus Card when obtaining tickets at the Center for the Arts Box Office will save $2 off all tickets purchased. Tickets are available from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Center Box Office and at all Ticketmaster locations, including Kaufmann's. To charge tickets, call 852-5000; in Canada, call 416-870-8000. For group sales, call 645-6771. For more information, call 645-ARTS or visit the Web site at http://www.arts.buffalo.edu. The Center for the Arts is a Ticketfast location.