Skippyjon Study Guide

1

2

4 Theatreworks USA Barbara Pasternack Artistic Director Ken Arthur Producing Director Presents SKIPPYJON JONES Kevin Del Aguila Book and Lyrics Eli Bolin Music Based on the book by Judy Schachner Used with permission. Rob Odorisio Scenic Design Tracy Christensen Costume Design Jeff Biering Music Direction Frank Galgano & Matt Castle Orchestrations Corey Cavenaugh Stage Manager Originally Directed by Peter Flynn Originally Choreographed by Devanand Janki Assistant Director Dennis Corsi Directed & Choreographed by Devanand Janki CAST (alphabetical by role) Jezebel/Poquito Tito ............................................................................................................................................ Christina Ramirez Jilly Boo/Don Diego ............................................................................................................................................... William Spinnato Ju Ju Bee/Rosalita ................................................................................................................................................. Amanda Salazar Mama Junebug/Polka Dot-ito/Alfredo Buzzito ............................................................................................................ Sam Ramirez Skippyjon Jones ...................................................................................................................................................... Bello Pizzimenti The taking of pictures and/or making of visual or sound recording is expressly forbidden. Please check the houseboard for any program changes. This program from Theatreworks USA is supported, in part, with public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency, and by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. The actors and stage manager employed in this pro- duction are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States. The Director and Choreographer are members of the STAGE DIRECTORS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS SOCIETY , a national theatrical labor union.

5 MUSICAL NUMBERS “Be a Cat” ................................................................................................................... Skippyjon, Mama Junebug, Girls “Skippyjon in His Room” ................................................................................................................................. Skippyjon “The Los Chimichangos Song” ....................................................................................... Los Chimichangos, Skippyjon “La Profecía” ............................................................................................................................................... Poquito Tito “Crazy Loco” ................................................................................................................... Skippyjon, Los Chimichangos “Born to Fetch” .............................................................................................. Skippyjon, Rosalita, Don Diego, Fetchers “Spill the Beans” ....................................................................................................... Alfredo, Skippyjon, Chimichangos “No Way José” ................................................................................................................................. Rosalita, Skippyjon “The Fight” ................................................................................................................ Skippyjon, Alfredo, Chimichangos “Skippito’s Escape” ......................................................................................................................................... Skippyjon “Skippyjon’s Essay” ............................................................................................................................... Mama Junebug “Finale: Crazy Loco Reprise” ........................................................................................................................... Company WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST (alphabetical by role) CHRISTINA RAMIREZ (Jezebel/Poquito Tito) is "muy excitada" to be appearing in her second Theatreworks USA tour. She was previously in Henry and Mudge . Other favorite credits include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Legally Blonde ! For more info, visit www.Christina - Ramirez.com WILLIAM SPINNATO (Jilly Boo/Don Diego) is thrilled to join TheatreworksUSA with Skippyjon Jones . Recent credits include Disney Cruise Line: Aladdin a Musical Spectacular (Aladdin), Wishes (Brandon), Believe (Lumiere/Prince Naveen) Regional: RENT (Paul u/s Mark). Graduate of NYU Steinhardt. Gracias to friends and family for their constant love and support . www.williamspinnato.com AMANDA SALAZAR (Ju Ju Bee/Rosalita) Recent NY credits include Tennessee Williams' The Mutilated at the New Ohio Theatre (2014 Drama League Nominee), Uncle Giff's Christmas Special at The Gene Frankel Theatre, a new musical at Theatre for New City and readings at Multistages and The Barrow Group. Regional: Zach Scott Theatre, Austin Shakespeare, Marin Shakespeare. MFA University of Texas 2013. Proud member of AEA. Playwrights Gallery Acting Company. www.amandasalazar.net SAM RAMIREZ (Mama Junebug/Polka Dot - ito/Alfredo Buzzito) is from Detroit, MI and holds a BFA in Music Theatre Performance from Western Michigan University. He has spent the last two years performing at Arizona Broadway Theatre, Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse, and Hershey Park. Favorite credits include Angry Housewives , Young Frankenstein , Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story , The Who’s Tommy , Hairspray , Greater Tuna , Hair , and Hello Dolly . Sam has also had the privilege to perform in venues such as Washington National Cathedral, Carnegie Hall, and Sydney Opera House. www.samramirezsinger.com BELLO PIZZIMENTI (Skippyjon Jones) Recent NYC credits include a workshop of Carmen with Tectonic Theatre Co. and the premiere of Back with Poetic Theatre Productions. He can also be seen playing a supporting role in the film Ashes of Eden, coming to DVD and streaming services this year! He is so glad to be joining the cast of SkippyJon Jones, and he would like to thank his family and loved ones for their continued support. ELI BOLIN (Music) New York: Found (Atlantic); Volleyballs (NYMF); I Sing! (York). Regional: Roller Disco (A.R.T.); Schmoozy Togetherness (Williamstown). TV: "Sesame Street"; "Billy On The Street"; "Kristen Schaal Live At The Fillmore"; "30 Rock" (as an actor). The sequel to Skippyjon Jones (Snow What?) debuts this year. elibolin.net KEVIN DEL AGUILA (Book & Lyrics) is bookwriter of the off - Broadway hit Altar Boyz (Outer Critics Award, Lortel and Drama Desk noms.), lyricist of Click, Clack, Moo (Lortel and Drama Desk noms.), and book writer/lyricist of Skippyjon Jones (Lortel nom.). Other works include his stage adaptation of the film Madagascar for Dreamworks, Nickelodeon’s Storytime Live , The Velveteen Rabbit and musical versions of the children’s books Fly Guy , Lilly’s Big Day , and Duck for President . www.delaguila.info .

7 151 West 26 th Street New York, NY, 10001 212.647.1100 www.TWUSA.org STUDY GUIDE Dear Teacher, We have created the following study guide to help make your students’ theater experience with Skippyjon Jones as meaningful as possible. For many, it will be their first time viewing a live theatrical production. We have learned that when teachers discuss the play with their students before and after the production, the experience is more significant and long - lasting. Our study guide provides pre and post production discussion topics, as well as a related activity sheet. These are just suggestions; please feel free to create your own activities and areas for discussion. We hope you and your class enjoy the show! Background Our play is based on the book Skippyjon Jones by author Judy Schachner. The Story  Skippyjon Jones, a male Siamese kitten , lives with his sisters and his mother. He is the family troublemaker who always thinks he’s another animal such as a bird, a bat or a whale.  One day he gets in trouble and his mother sends him to his room. While he’s there he bounces on the bed and notices as he passes the mirror that he actually looks like a chihuahua and decides that he must really be a dog .  Fantasizing as “Skippito Friskito”, he travels to Mexico where he meets up with a group of chihuahuas who are in fear of the evil Alfredo Buzzito, a bumblebee who demands beans from the dogs. The dogs tell Skipppyjon that he is the answer to the prophesy that a stranger will come and free them from their tormentor .  When Skippyjon confronts Alfredo he doesn’t act heroic but is humiliated and revealed to all as a kitten, not a chihuahua. All the chihuahuas are disappointed except Rosalita who convinces him that he can still defeat Alfredo .  Skippito is inspired once more and with the help of all his friends, he battles the bumblebee and wins , piercing Alfredo till he bursts. At that point, it is revealed that Alfredo is really the piñata from his closet that he has destroyed, and all the chihuahuas are bean bag toys for his birthday party. His family celebrates Skippyjon’s wild imagination and all is forgiven .

8 Before Seeing the Play 1. You may want to read some of the Skippyjon Jones stories and review the plots and characters with your students. 2. Discuss types of cats and dogs. In the story there are Siamese cats and Chihuahua dogs. What other kind of cat and dog breeds to you know? Who has a cat or a dog for a pet? Describe their behavior. Do they ever act like humans? Do they ever act like another kind of animal? 3. Discuss Spanish language words with the students. There are many Spanish words used in the play. What Spanish words do the children know? Ask if they know some common words such as amigo, gracias, frijoles, loco and por favor. You can find a list of words used in this production on the last page of this study guide. After Seeing the Play 1. Ask your students how the play was different from the Skippyjon Jones books you read. How was it the same? Discuss the costumes. How did the actors portray cats and dogs? 2. Why do you think Skippyjon always acts like other animals? How does he feel about his family? What do they think of him? 3. Skippyjon has a very active imagination. Describe how he uses his imagination to create Old Mexico in his bedroom. How are the props used to create characters? Activities Act like an animal In the play, Skippyjon acts like a bird, bat, moose, whale and a dog. Have your students pick an animal to research and then portray through physical action. Each student will learn about a particular animal’s behavior and traits through research in books or online. The students can then create a poster with their research facts and a picture of the animal. Without revealing their subject, have the students take turns acting as their animal while the class tries to guess what it is. Foreign Language Word Wall - Have students choose a favorite word, define it, translate it into Spanish and illustrate it. Hang up the illustrated “dictionary” pages on the wall. Artistic Expression In the Skippyjon Jones stories, his closet becomes a new location for each adventure. Use your imagination to create the setting for a story out of your closet. - Bring in an item from your closet and use it to start a story. - Find a piece of clothing and turn it into a costume for a character.

10 Name: ____________________________________ Date: ___________ Skippyjon Jones Complete the sentences using a word from the boxes: 1. Skippyjon Jones woke up and thought he was a __________. 2. Skippyjon loved to __________ on his bed. 3. In the mirror, he thought he saw a ______________. 4. The other dogs were afraid of a ____________ named Alfredo Buzzito. 5. Alfredo told the dogs to “Spill the ______________.” 6. Alfredo was really a ___________in Skippyjon’s closet. 7. Skippyjon is really a ______________cat. 8. When Rosalita raced the other dogs, Skippyjon told her she was “born to _________.” 9. Instead of a birthday party, Skippyjon and his family decided to have a ____________ instead. 10. At the end, Skippyjon and his family sang, “Let’s go crazy _______!” loco bumblebee bounce fetch beans chihuahua Siamese piñata bird fiesta

11 Skippyjon Jones Vocabulary 1. adios - goodbye 2. amigo - friend 3. ¡Ay, caramba! – oh my goodness! 4. bandito – bandit 5. besito - kiss 6. cabeza - head 7. comprende - understand 8. creada para buscar – born to fetch 9. el numero uno – number one 10. fiesta - party 11. frijoles - beans 12. gato - cat 13. gordo - fat 14. gracias - thank you 15. hola - hello 16. la luna – the moon 17. loco - crazy 18. muchacho - guy 19. noche - night 20. perdoname – sorry 21. perrito – small dog 22. peso - money 23. piñata – a decorated container with treats inside to be broken with a stick as a party game 24. por favor - please 25. por que - why 26. ¿que pasa? – what’s up? 27. siesta – rest or nap 28. sombrero - hat 29. un tiempo de espera – time out 30. vamos / vamanos – let’s go

13