Curiosity Cat by TheatreWorks of Northern Nevada on the Prowl at Art Paws, 2pm

For immediate release                                                              Contact: Lisa Mancini

July 2, 2012                                                                             775- 722-2155

TheatreWorks of Northern Nevada’s Curiosity Cat launches

Artown Family Series, runs through July 16

Reno, NV, July 2, 2012 – Curiosity Cat, TheatreWorks of Northern Nevada’s summer Artown  production, will launch Artown’s 2012 free Family Series in Wingfield Park, 7 to 9 p.m., Monday, July 2.  The touchingly comic production is derived from a play-within-the-book from Chris Grabenstein's award-winning novel, The Hanging Hill.  It is an engaging story of displaced children and homeless cats as well as family and the value of curiosity. 

The SPCA and Nevada Humane Society will offer cats for adoption during this performance. The Artown Family Series is sponsored by IGT, Sierra Nevada College and the Thelma and Thomas Hart Foundation; official host hotel is John Ascuaga’s Nugget. 

In addition to the Family Series event, Curiosity Cat performances will run 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, July 6-7 at the Laxalt Auditorium, 401 W. 2^nd St. in Reno; 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, July 8 at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno; 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, July 13-14 at the Laxalt Auditorium in Reno; 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, July 15, joining the animal-friendly festivities at the 12^th Annual Art Paws event at the McKinley Arts and Culture Center, 925 Riverside Dr. in Reno; and a final free production, 7 to 9  p.m., Monday, July 16 at the Mack Auditorium at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno. 

Admission for the Laxalt Auditorium, Atlantis and McKinley Arts performances is $10 general and $7 students and seniors.  The production features a local cast of children and youth ranging in age from eight to 20 and is directed by Rod Hearn.  Curiosity Cat is suitable for all ages. 

Curiosity Cat also is promoting a book drive at all performances for the Washoe County School District Read and Succeed program.  Patrons are asked to help make a difference in a child’s life by donating children’s books in good condition for reading levels K-6.  For tickets or more information, please contact TheatreWorks of Northern Nevada at 775-284-0789 or visit www.twnn.org. 

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About TheatreWorks of Northern Nevada: TheatreWorks of Northern Nevada is a 501(c)3 community theater with a mission of sharing the joy of the performing arts in northern Nevada. TheatreWorks offers productions and ongoing theatre classes for ages six through adult at 1540 Linda Way, Sparks, NV.  The organization is supported by the Nell J. Redfield Foundation, the Robert Z. Hawkins Foundation, the City of Reno, the Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa, Industrial Properties of Nevada, Wells Fargo Bank, JetKor, Dermody Properties, the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.  For more information, please call 775-284-0789.

About Artown: TheatreWorks of Northern Nevada’s Curiosity Cat, presented during the month of July, is part of the 17^th annual Artown festival, July 2012.  The month-long summer arts festival features more than 400 events produced by more than 100 cultural organizations and businesses in locations citywide. Artown receives major funding from the City of Reno, and is sponsored by Grand Sierra Resort, U.S. Bank, NV Energy, JLH Inc., Waste Management, Basin Street Properties, Reno Gazette-Journal, KOLO 8 News Now, KTHX-FM and KNPB with additional support from the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.