Kennedy Theatre Media Release Department of Theatre and Dance University of Hawai'i at Manoa 1770 East-West Road Honolulu, HI 96822 Contact: Kristy Miller, Publicity Director Phone: (808) 956-2598 Fax: (808) 956-4234 Box Office: (808) 956-7655 (v/t) email: theatre-pr@hawaii.edu February 25, 2003 IMMEDIATE RELEASE JIM GAMBLE AND HIS PUPPETS "CELEBRATE AMERICA" AT KENNEDY THEATRE To honor America in 2003 The University of Hawai‘i at Manoa’s Department of Theatre and Dance presents Jim Gamble and his new marionette production "Celebrate America!" for the pleasure of the entire family. Jim Gamble, a perennial favorite at Kennedy Theatre, has been entertaining Hawai‘i’s keiki for over two decades with his colorful entourage of “little friends.” There will be one performance only on Kennedy Theatre’s Mainstage January 11 at 7pm. Packed with ageless good humor and upbeat music, the half-hour program is narrated by Sam, the American Eagle and spotlights colorful characters from America’s history and traditional lore. Benjamin Franklin cavorts with a kite and Johnny Appleseed juggles red apples. Yankee Doodle and Smokey the Bear perform to their familiar theme songs. Red White & Blue Stars dance, Ronnie Rooster launches a plucky campaign against Colonel Sanders and a Great American Circus clown performs dazzling trapeze tricks. Gamble, a respected puppet designer and performer, is well-known in California and across the nation for his entertaining productions and beautifully crafted marionettes. Since 1985 his fame as an international performing artist has spread after theater appearances in China, Singapore, Iran, Israel, Belaruse, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and France. He has toured extensively as a national guest artist in Japan and was a featured performer at EXPO ’93 in Korea. In 2001 he was the only American to perform in a landmark festival in Moscow, celebrating 100 Years of Russian Puppetry. Gamble and company have won numerous awards for outstanding programs. The Parent's Choice Award, multiple Film Advisory Board Citations, and the National Educational TV and the Film Festival Golden Apple were received for Gamble’s nine puppet videos. He was awarded the prestigious "President's Award" by the Puppeteers of America, and the UNIMA "Citation for Excellence in Puppetry" for his production of Peter and the Wolf. At recent arts festivals in both Belaruse and Bulgaria international judges awarded the “Grand Prix” to Gamble for his performances. Tickets for "Jim Gamble’s Celebrate America" go on sale Monday, January 6 at the Kennedy Theatre Box Office. Tickets may be purchased in person or by phone at the Kennedy Theatre Box Office Monday through Friday, 10am to 3pm. Tickets are also available at all TicketPlus outlets and phone room (526-4400) or at www.ticketplushawaii.com.. All TicketPlus sales include applicable service charges. Ticket prices are $10 regular, $9 for seniors, military, UH faculty and staff, $7 for youth and non-UHM students, and $3 for UHM students with a validated Fall 2002 or Spring 2003 ID. For more information, call the Kennedy Theatre Box Office at 956-7655. (v/t) - 30 - "Jim Gamble's Celebrate America" Saturday January 11 7pm $10 Regular $9 Senior, Military, UH Faculty and Staff $7 Non-UHM Students, $3 UHM Student with Valid Fall 2002 or Spring 2003 ID	See also: Back to Release Index PHONE NUMBERS Box Office (808) 956-7655 Publicity Office (808) 956-2598 Department Office (808) 956-7677 Fax (808) 956-4234