For the second year in a row the Penguin Project highlights the artistic abilities of children with special needs through Murray's Playhouse in the Park. This year's performance of Seussical Jr. has been a sell-out for opening weekend, with over 50 children and volunteers participating. President of the Board of Directors Dan Lavit speaks with Austin Carter on Sounds Good today to tell us more about the program.
Playhouse in the Park is the seventh theater in the country and the first in Kentucky to participate in the Penguin Project, receiving a wildly successful response during its first year from local children, mentors, families and audiences.
The program brings together special needs children and young adults, the Artists, with mentors who provide on-stage support. The Artists learn, rehearse and perform a modified version of a Broadway musical. This year it's Seussical Jr.
"It has a great impact," Dan says. "And our community is so good at supporting children with special needs. The impact is this: it shows everybody what all children are capable of. It's not a showcase of disabilities; it's a showcase of abilities."
Tickets are still available for this weekend's final performances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Playhouse. Tickets can be found online hereor by calling 270-759-1752.