An award-winning leader in online entertainment for kids, with a #1 podcast that’s been downloaded more than 25 million times, NYC-based Story Pirates, in partnership with Tony-winning producer Eva Price (Jagged Little Pill; Peter and The Starcatcher) and Olivier-nominated Jennifer Weber (& Juliet; The Hip Hop Nutcracker), has announced that its digital adventure Sleep Squad has gone national, with nine participating regional theaters and performing arts centers throughout the country. By popular demand, ticket sales have now been extended through February 21, 2021.
Designed to put kids (ages four to twelve) to sleep by igniting their dreams through a virtual interactive experience that turns their home into a rocket-ship, the family-friendly on-demand production, created and directed by Weber and Lee Overtree (Story Pirates Artistic Director and Drama Desk Award nominee), features all-new child-driven comedy (written by Andrew Farmer) and music (original score and vocal direction by Jack Mitchell), in three unique fifteen-minute episodes, adapted from stories written by real kids.
Tony Award nominee Lilli Cooper (Tootsie; SpongeBob SquarePants; Wicked; Spring Awakening) stars as the Dream Queen, pilot of the spaceship Ariem, which launches kids into the Slumber Galaxy, as they train to become members of the titular Sleep Squad – an elite group of the world’s most advanced dreamers. The young adventurers are guided on three different missions: a visit to a desert island (“Stuck Island,” written by Mike Cabellon, based on an original story by Sonali, age nine); a dinosaur’s birthday party (“Spinosaurus’ Birthday,” written by Mahayla Laurence, based on an original story by nine-year-old Julia); and an intergalactic nightclub (“30 Moons” written and produced by Ellen Winter, based on an original story by Julien, age eight).
The digital production is edited by Alexander Nichols, with visual effects by Minhdzuy Khorami, re-recording mix and sound design by Sam Bair, and a supporting cast of Eric Austin, Andrew Barbato, Mike Cabellon, Maydelle Clarice, Nick Kanellis, Peter McNerney, Lee Overtree, Jamie Watson, and Ellen Winter.
To accompany the on-screen performances – which can be viewed in one 45-minute sitting or in three separate installments, on desktop and laptop web browsers, iOs and Android devices, and Smart TV via Amazon Fire, AppleTV, or Roku – an optional “Dreamtime Travel Kit” (including a dream journal, explorer goggle sleep mask, co-pilot badge, and star projector) can be delivered to each ticket buyer’s address, to help bring the performance to life. The immersive storytelling concludes with an additional fifteen minutes of soothing music to lull adventurers to sleep at nap time, bedtime, or anytime.
For more information, visit the Story Pirates website. To purchase tickets (priced at $35 for an On-Demand Family Pass, valid for two weeks of unlimited viewing, and an additional $15 for a Dreamtime Travel Kit), go online.
