(Flushing, New York)—In celebration of Valentine’s Day, Flushing Town Hall will host the award-winning Axis Theatre for a heartwarming performance of Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch on Saturday, February 17. Children and families are invited to sign up for a hands-on shadow puppetry workshop prior to the performance.
Based on the popular children’s book by Eileen Spinelli, the British Columbian Axis Theatre from Vancouver presents the story of Mr. Hatch, who lives a colorless and ordered life. He goes to work at the shoelace factory, eats his lunch alone, reads the paper, and then goes to bed… early. Until one Valentine’s Day, he receives the biggest surprise of his life: a candy-filled heart with a note that whispers, “Somebody loves you.” Mr. Hatch’s world is turned upside down, and he begins to make friends and enjoy all the fun parts of life he once ignored. Audiences of all ages are invited to join Mr. Hatch as he searches for his secret admirer and enjoys the biggest surprise of his life as this touching puppet play examines the effect that kindness can have on a dreary existence.
“We are so excited to finally bring the talented team of Axis Theatre to Queens after their originally scheduled performance of Mr. Hatch was canceled due to the pandemic shutdown of 2020. The wait is finally over,” says Flushing Town Hall’s Executive and Artistic Director Ellen Kodadek. “The message of this absolutely lovely and adorable play is still as current as it was when the book was written more than 30 years ago, and we are thrilled to share the spirit of kindness with our family audiences.”
Prior to the 2:15 PM performance, cast members of Axis Theatre will host an introductory workshop into the world of shadow puppetry at 1 PM. Participants will learn how to design and build their very own shadow puppets and how to physically play with them on stage or on a shadow screen. This workshop is designed for young people who want to play, have fun, and learn new creative skills in a supportive environment.
Tickets for the 1:00 PM workshop are $5 for all (please note that space is limited). Tickets for the 2:15 PM family show are $15 for adults and $8 for children. This show is recommended for ages 3 & up.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit: https://www.flushingtownhall.org/somebody-loves-you-mr-hatch
For the venue’s full schedule of 2024 Winter events, visit https://www.flushingtownhall.org/fth-presents.
About Axis Theatre
In 1973-74, Lin Bennett, Wendy Gorling, Elizabeth Murray-Byers, and Wayne Specht, who became the founding Artistic Director, came together as a group. Each trained at either Étienne Decroux or L’École Lecoq and was eager to promote their chosen art form. In May 1975, the Axis Mime Theatre Society was incorporated as the next step to access financial support to create the structure needed to administer their activities on a consistent, professional level.
For more than 45 years, Axis Theatre (which later dropped the word “mime” from their original name) has been creating original physical theatre productions for the young and young-at-heart, exploring aspects of clown, commedia dell'arte, music, movement, and puppetry to produce original plays.
In the age of “looking down” at tablets, smartphones, and computers, Axis Theatre draws young eyes up to engage them in interactive experiences that educate, inspire, and transform. By telling stories in unique ways, Axis Theatre productions are guided by these words: inventive, youthful, kinetic, multicultural, smart, and engaging.
Axis’ productions are performed in theaters and schools, enriching the curriculum, drawing children into stories, and giving them access to ideas in new ways. Their 59 original works have earned 24 Jessie Richardson Awards, a Betty Mitchell Award, a Drama Desk Nomination for Unique Theatrical Experience, and in 2017 Axis Theatre was named Artistic Company of the Year by the BC Touring Council.
NEW EVENT STREAMING PLATFORM
For those unable to attend events in person, Flushing Town Hall has launched Culture Stream. Subscriptions start at $5 per month. CultureStream.tv (powered by Flushing Town Hall) is a virtual gateway to the captivating world of global cultural performances at Flushing Town Hall, in the heart of Queens, NY. Culture Stream Subscribers are immersed in an array of diverse artistic expressions from around the city and across the globe, from the comfort of their homes. With over 30 live events per year, our platform brings the stage to screens everywhere, fostering a deep appreciation for cultural heritage and artistic excellence.
COVID Policy:
Flushing Town Hall no longer requires visitors or performers to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19; wearing a mask is optional but recommended. For more details, please visit www.flushingtownhall.org/covid-safety
Support Global Arts with a Gift Today!
All gifts of $50 or more give you exclusive Flushing Town Hall Circle of Friends membership benefits including a Smithsonian membership, ticket discounts, and more! Donations in any amount are appreciated to support the artists and the nonprofit cultural organization as they continue to provide programming and entertainment across New York and the world.
https://www.flushingtownhall.org/circle-of-friends
Flushing Town Hall is a not for profit organization and receives major support in 2022 from the National Endowment for the Arts; New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature; New York State Assembly Member Ron Kim; The City of New York, Mayor Eric Adams; New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, Commissioner Laurie Cumbo; Queens Borough President Donovan Richards; The New York City Council, Speaker Adrienne E. Adams and New York City Council Members Sandra Ung, Tiffany Caban, Shekar Krishnan, Linda Lee, Vickie Paladino, Lynn Schulman, and Jessica Won; Howard Gilman Foundation, Booth Ferris Foundation, Guru Krupa Foundation, Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation.
To view current donor lists, please visit www.flushingtownhall.org/donor-listings
About Flushing Town Hall
Flushing Town Hall (FTH), a Smithsonian affiliate, presents multi-disciplinary global arts that engage and educate the global communities of Queens and New York City in order to foster mutual appreciation. As advocates of arts equity since 1979, we support local, immigrant, national, and international artists, developing partnerships and collaborations that enhance our efforts. As a member of New York City’s Cultural Institutions Group (CIG), we serve to restore, manage and program the historic 1862 landmark on behalf of the City of New York. FTH celebrates the history of Queens as the home of Jazz, by presenting the finest in Jazz performance. We are committed to arts education and hands-on learning, for the arts-curious, arts enthusiasts, and professional artists. We serve one of the most diverse communities in the world and strive to uphold the legacy of inclusiveness that has defined our community since the Flushing Remonstrance of 1657.
Flushing Town Hall is a proud member of the Cultural Institutions Group (CIG), a collective of 34 nonprofit museums, performing arts centers, historical societies, zoos, and botanical gardens across all five boroughs with a distinct private-public partnership with the City of New York and a commitment to serving all New Yorkers.
Land Acknowledgement:
Flushing Town Hall acknowledges that we are on the traditional land of the Matinecock People, one of the original tribes of New York, and the first people of Flushing, Queens. The Matinecock continue to live and work on this land to this day. Flushing Town Hall honors their elders who have stewarded this land throughout generations.
For more information:
(718) 463-7700 x222
137-35 Northern Blvd. Flushing, NY 11354
