THE WORRYWOO MONSTERS TAKE THE STAGE

Monsters of Emotions adapted into a Woosical

Jersey City, NJ (April 18th, 2013) - Andi Green, creator of the award-winning series The WorryWoo Monsters, announced today that rumors of a WorryWoo Musical are true! Green has signed a contract with seasoned theater pros Kristen Tumminello (musical theatre instructor, AL) , Kelley Birney (Actress/ Writer, CA) and Jay Tumminello (NY based Composer/Arranger) to create and produce the first Woosical! "They have written an unbelievable script with a dream come true musical score" says Green. "I have always thought about bringing the WorryWoos to life, and what they put together already goes above and beyond anything I could have imagined!" Green explains that Jay Tumminello, the Woosical composer, has created a score that rivals the likes of her favorite soundtracks, the Muppets and The Last Unicorn. As well, the script written by Kristen Tumminello and Kelley Birney has adapted the WorryWoo characters into a magical experience that brings the "Woo" world to life.

The Tumminellos and Birney started writing the script and music two years ago after Kristen discovered The WorryWoos in a local gift shop in Huntsville, AL. "The first time I read Green's books, I was inspired!" says K. Tumminello. Kristen contacted her writing team, lifetime friends Kelley Birney and brother-in-law Jay Tumminello about the project. "Kristen was so excited about this, I knew it had to be something amazing," says Birney." After I read the books, I was hooked and knew she was absolutely right!" The collaborators met Andi Green in NYC in April of 2011 and the rest is history! This magical project was not without its challenges though. With the writers being in 3 different states, they would email back and forth regularly and meet every few months to brainstorm until the Woosical script was complete.

From Fuddle and Wince's duet about confusion and worry to Squeek's poignant song about leaving his "Bubble", the Woosical brings to life five WorryWoo characters exploring various emotions in the signature WorryWoo way. "One might think it is a challenge to write a song about a monster who lives in a bubble (Squeek)," says J. Tumminello, "but for me the music just came naturally. These characters tap into the psyche of both children and adults. I wanted the music to do the same!" Andi Green adds that both the script and music retain the valuable lessons about each of the emotions The WorryWoos are known for while creating a wonderful musical theatre experience.

So get ready to embrace your emotions - literally!! The Woosical will debut in workshops throughout Summer 2013 and production dates are anticipated to begin mid 2014.

Woosical Synopsis:  

Meet the WorryWoos: Squeek, Rue, Fuddle and Wince. Four friends on an incredible journey to find Nola, a monster they have never met, but she just may hold the key to everything. Along the way the monsters face loneliness, insecurity, confusion, fear and worry. But through sheer determination, unyielding friendship and, of course, the power of song, they find more than what they were looking for. By working through challenges together they find the courage and confidence it takes to succeed.

Based on the award winning children's book series by author Andi Green, playwrights Kristen Tumminello and Kelley Birney, with composer Jay Tumminello, bring the WorryWoos to life in Woosical, a rollicking new musical that will have children of all ages dancing, singing and embracing their Inner Woo!

 

About The Woosical Team:

Kristen Shivers Tumminello, is a theatrical maven who has spent over twenty years working both on and back stage for numerous operas, plays and musical theater presentations around the country. Kristen obtained her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from The University of Montevallo and her Master of Music in Musical Theater Performance from Oklahoma City University. During her graduate studies, Kristen was chosen by the Dean of Music to direct a production of the children's opera Brundibar which paved the way for her becoming a director/musical director for many productions post-graduation.  Currently Kristen works and resides in Hunstville, Al where she directs and teaches musical theater and voice. In addition, Kristen enjoys creating scenic art for area theater companies.  Her most recent work can be seen on the set of Huntsville's Seussical the Musical.  Woosical! marks her fifth collaboration with brother-in-law and musical composer Jay Tumminello.  

Kelley Birney lives in Los Angeles, California with her director husband, Tim Reischauer, where she is an established writer and actress. Birney has performed in numerous theatrical productions across the country, garnishing rave reviews. Some of her television credits include, The Young and The Restless, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and The Client List. Her current endeavors include writing and producing the award winning, film, Impulsive, which is appearing in various film festivals across the country. 

Jay Tumminello Since 1989, Jay has been a creative force behind more than 24 original Children's Theatre musicals and plays, composing for multiple companies across the country.  From 1993-1998, Jay was fortunate to retain a coveted Endowed Artist position with Birmingham Children's Theatre, one of the few professional companies in the southeastern United States to have received multiple Awards of Excellence from The Kennedy Center.  Jay presently makes his home in New York City, where he continues to joyfully compose, arrange and orchestrate. Jay is very excited to be a part of the WOOSICAL creative team. 

Andi Green is a bird-loving, cat-cuddling, dog-snuggling monster-maker who started her career as an Art Director in NYC. In 2007 Green left the corporate world and launched her company Monsters In My Head where she began writing, illustration and producing books and plush dolls called the WorryWoo Monsters. Today Green's WorryWoos can be found in gift, boutique and toy shops around the world. Andi's goal is to help children embrace their emotions and find their inner Woo. And with the release of her sixth book, a new WorryWoo app and the Woosical on its way it seems her message is catching on.

 

About The WorryWoo Monsters:

The WorryWoo Monsters are an award-winning series of books and plush dolls created by artist Andi Green. What started as an art exhibit in NYC is now a full line of books and plush dolls dedicated to helping children and adults embrace their emotions and find their _inner "Woo"! The WorryWoos have received several accolades including a featured spot on NBC's "TODAY", a Mom's Best Award and A Creative Child Book of The Year Award. The WorryWoos are available nationwide in boutique, book and toys shops and their first digital App, Wince, Don't Feed The WorryBug, is available at the Apple App Store now. For more information, visit http://www.worrywoos.com/ 

The WorryWoo Monster Line:

* Wince, The Monster of Worry and Don't Feed The Worrybug

* Nola, The Monster of Loneliness and The Lonely Little Monster

* Rue, The Monster of Insecurity and The Nose That Didn't Fit

* Fuddle, The Monster of Confusion and The Monster Who Couldn't Decide

* Squeek, The Monster of Innocence and The Monster In the Bubble

* Twitch, The Monster of Frustration and The Very Frustrated Monster