by Chris Jordan
The George Street Playhouse is looking to make healthy living and eating an “Unstoppable” way of life.
The theater’s new health and wellness musical, “Austin the Unstoppable,” will debut at 10:15 a.m. Jan. 11 at the theater as part of a daylong conference highlighting children's health. The play, produced by the George Street Playhouse Educational Touring Theatre, will play in schools and community organizations in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania beginning in February.
“We created ‘Austin the Unstoppable,’ our first touring musical, to bring greater awareness to students about the choices they make regarding diet and exercise — and the long-term consequences of those choices,” Jim Jack, director of education for the George Street Playhouse, said in a statement. “This musical focuses on how a family confronts an unhealthy lifestyle when their mother is diagnosed with type II diabetes.”
The play’s book and lyrics are by Barry Wyner (“Calvin Berger”), music is by Daniel Israel and it’s directed by Kevin Del Aguila, who wrote the book for the long-running off-Broadway show “Altar Boyz.” The musical is a collaboration between the theater and the state’s Shaping NJ initiative.
“While the musical presents the seriousness of chronic illnesses related to an unhealthy diet and a lack of exercise, the spirit of the story is transformative — a fun, upbeat musical comedy that shows how positive change can occur through the power of love, hard work and support,” Jack said.
Parents, teachers and administrators are invited to join health and education professionals for the Jan. 11 conference.
