I just wanted to drop you a quick email to let you know how delighted we were with your production of Harold and the Purple Crayon which we presented at Jorgensen on Sunday, October 18, 2009. The production included a wonderful mix of masks, large puppets and magic tricks. However, it was the use of digital technology that totally brought the story to life and the audience was amazed and thrilled!!!! I don’t really remember the last time we presented a children’s event where the kids were quite this captivated. Thanks for creating this incredible show and once again for sharing your talent and creativity. I can’t wait to see what you come up with next!

Rodney Rock, Director
Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT

“Enchantment Theatre Company’s Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon is pure MAGIC! The brilliant use of projections and seamless transitions from ‘markings’ of the crayon to the elaborate (and very copious) props transforms what could easily have been a theatrical nightmare a truly remarkable theatrical experience. The Brooklyn Center audience was astounded, as evidenced by the cheers during the final curtain call. Enchantment delivered yet another home run for our family and school audiences!”

Frank L. Sonntag, Managing Director
Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
Brooklyn, NY

In a word, [“Harold”] was tremendous! We loved it, our patrons loved it and we very much look forward to a long relationship.

Mary Beth Aungier, General Manager
The Paramount Theater, Charlottsville, VA

Enchantment Theatre's production of "The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon" is a magical and engaging live performance for children. The Colonial Theatre hosted over 800 children from ages 4 to 2nd grade for two performances. This is the first production I have experienced watching children of this age completely focused on the stage for the entire hour. In most performance i see their concentration wander after 30 to 40 minutes, but they were on the edge of their seats the entire time! I heard comments like; "I wonder what will happen next!" One school teacher wrote to me how her students (1st and 2nd graders) were quite fascinated with how the story was extended beyond what they had read in some of the Crocketet Johnson's books.

I received purple drawings of Harold surrounded by stars, and comments about how much they laughed at the clowns "fighting over the yellow rope and box" and when another clown took the box away. They related to when Harold put the blanket over his head in the dark because he was afraid of seeing monsters. Other favorite characters included the witch and her evil laugh, (it was creepy) the princess and the cat and dog fight. And when Harold shared the crayon with his new friend.

I so appreciate how Enchantment Theatre did not underestimate how much children comprehend; the humor, the magic, and the relationships. The production value, the performances, all aspects were wonderful. You cast and crew were professional, friendly and wonderful to work with.

Thank you very much! I hope The Colonial will be able to bring Enchantment Theatre to children in the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire in the future.

Vicky Pittman, Education and Special Projects Manager
The Colonial Theatre, Keene, NH

The energy in the audience during the show was palpable; I can’t remember when I’ve seen little kids so completely engaged in a performance. The buzz from both teachers and students exiting the show was extremely positive. My staff and I thought the show was imaginative well-produced, and a lot of fun. It sold very well for us, especially this early in the season. We really appreciate the willingness of the company to make “Harold” available for a post-show meet and greet with a group of parents enrolled in adult-ESL classes, who attended the show with their children. The school received a grant to purchase a Harold Book for each family, and the kids were thrilled to have their books autographed by Harold himself!

We’ve already sent out the follow-up evaluations to the teachers. We’ll be sure to send you a summary of the responses as soon as they come in. I’m sure you’ll find a lot of quotable material from the teachers, whose opinion is probably more valuable than mine in terms of promoting the show to potential audiences and presenters.

Lian Farrer, Vice President for Education
State Theatre, New Brunswick, NJ

This October we were fortunate to have the Enchantment Theatre Company present The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon. It is not often that I hear peels of laughter and shouting from the audience in response to actors on our main stage. I could tell that both teachers and children alike were enthralled by the performance. "Everything he drew was amazing and just popped out!" said one third grade student. The audience reactions spoke volumes to the talented and passionate individuals on stage that make up this professional company. It was a pleasure to work with them. Harold brought out the imagination in everyone, including me.

Michael Bodolosky, Executive Director
Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center, Johnstown, PA

Dear Landis – The accolades flowed! The most creative, the most imaginative, educational, inspiring, entertaining. Following the performance, a mom stopped me in the lobby to say how much she and her four-year-old son enjoyed the show. At least three times during the performance, he grinned at her and said, “Thanks, Mom. This is the best show I’ve ever seen.”

Zita Christian, Assistant Manager , Programs Department
The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, Hartford CT

The Adventures of Harold and The Purple Crayon is a marvelous show! I am very particular about the production values of my children's shows and I was delighted with the artistic elements of this production. The human puppets, the music, the magic and the live animation were all immensely engaging, entertaining and the creativity of the production is just astounding. The kids immediately connected and were engaged from the minute Harold stepped onto the stage. Teachers and parents loved the show as well. Thank you for your creativity and hard work in putting together this show --it was a great success in our venue and I couldn't have been more pleased with the show! Best of luck to you. You have a great production!

Connie McGinnis, Assistant Director of Celebrity Series
Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA

It was a real pleasure to host the performance of Harold & the Purple Crayon at Lander University. I was so impressed with the artistry of the performers – they were terrific! The creativity and imagination is what really blew me away. I was constantly thinking “that is so neat”, or, “I wonder how they did that!” I loved being outside when the children were loading the buses to return to school. They were full of excitement and had so much to say about Harold! The laughter, smiles, and heartwarming emotions from the children were clear indicators that they loved the production.

From load-in to load-out, Enchantment Theatre Company was wonderful to work with; you run a smooth operation! Bravo!

I will be glad to send you copies of teacher’s evaluation forms and any student’s work we receive about Harold & the Purple Crayon.

Thank you,

Jackie Counts, Outreach Program Director
Greenwood-Lander Performing Arts, SC

Dear Landis,

We have come to look forward to performances by Enchantment Theatre Company with great anticipation because we always know that they are going to be a visual treat and a tight production. We found “The Adventures of Harold and The Purple Crayon” did not disappoint!

It was a very clever mix of dance, puppetry, and animation that entranced our audience and offered up a charming and gentle story that delighted the very young. Prior to the show we invited everyone to come dressed in purple and to write on Harold’s wall in the lobby. We had some charming purple artwork and found some budding young artists. All-in-all it was a delightful afternoon of children’s theatre. We are only sorry that you don’t have a new production every year! We love working with your cast and crew!

Laura Clavio, Assistant Director
Purdue Convocations, Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN

Dear Landis,

Our community enjoyed “The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon”
immensely. In particular, many children and teachers alike commented on the
incredible creativity of this production. As a managing director, I found it
to be a polished, imaginative and tight production that I was proud to
present to our community. This is exactly the caliber of theatre we should
be exposing our children to because it undoubtedly will instill a love of
the arts in many young people.

From one of our local schools, here are a couple of quotes:
“My students loved the production. They were silent the whole time, except
to applaud.”

“Overwhelmed how they brought the imagination to life.”

A quote from a child age 8. “Harold was the best show I have ever seen.”

Best wishes,

Catriona Macphie Hynds
Fred Center for the Performing Arts, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH

Dear Landis,

We loved “Harold” and so did our audiences… every time ECT visits I/we fall in love all over again, the artistry, the stories, the performers create a world that delights the eyes and captivates the soul and engages the imagination, perfect for the whole family. The Orpheum Theatre Loves presenting your shows.

My matinee sales manager also got the email pasted below from one of her groups. This group got the reduced student rate of $6--over 65% of our audience usually qualifies for that.

Alice Donohoe Roberts, VP Education and Community Outreach
Orpheum Theatre, Memphis

We just got back to Senatobia after viewing "Harold and the Purple Crayon". I have to tell you that the show was absolutely fabulous! The staff was most courteous and helpful as well. The show was perfectly geared to our children and the study guide prepared us for everything we needed to review prior to our going. Everyone enjoyed the performance and we want to thank you for your efforts to make arts affordable and available to school age children of all economic backgrounds.

Many thanks to you for all of your help and especially to the "Enchanted Theatre Company" for a performance well done and appreciated by all of the children, teachers, and parents. We look forward to other performances geared to kindergarten and first grade students.

Sincerely,
Mary
Senatobia Elementary School
Transitions Teacher and Kindergarten Lead Teacher