Children’s play: Maria’s Magical Music Adventure
Obra de teatro musical para niños: La mágica aventura musical de María
"Maria's Magical Music Adventure,” adapted from Emma Kent Wine's children's book of the same title, follows the journey of a young Latina girl named Maria as she and her hip-hop loving brother Carlos embark on a time-traveling trip back to 17th century Italy. Their tour guide is Allegra, a magical violinist who acts as Maria's musical fairy godmother. Maria meets composer Antonio Vivaldi who is currently in the process of composing his musical masterpiece "The Four Seasons." Aided by Vivaldi and Allegra’s magical string quartet, Maria and Carlos learn about the power of music and the importance of finding one's voice.
A talented cast of multi-talented actors and musicians bring this story to life with a fusion of hilarious storytelling and live classical music, creating an entertaining, inspiring, and joyous experience for children and adults alike.
The play is directed by Express Children’s Theatre’s Executive Director Tim Fried-Fiori and written by Tim Fried-Fiori and Emma Kent Wine. It is a co-production between Express Children’s Theatre and Ars Lyrica Houston.
We are proud to have presented this children’s play at dozens of elementary schools and community centers all over Houston, reaching tens of thousands of students in 2022 and 2023. Contact us at info@arslyricahouston.org about bringing the play to your community.
Past Performances
Rothko Chapel
Ars Lyrica Houston, Express Children’s Theater and Rothko Chapel teamed up for Rothko Chapel’s Neighborhood Community Day, presenting Maria’s Magical Music Adventure, for the final time this season. Children of all ages experienced the magic of music, inspiring creativity and expression that echoed throughout the chapel.
Cast:
Rachel Shukan as Maria
Darian Wes as Carlos
Coral Hernandez Longoria as Allegra
Andrés González as Antonio Vivaldi
Joanna Becker, violin
Maria Lin, viola
Matthew Dudzik, cello
Emma Kent Wine, Composer, arranger and author
Tim Fried-Fiori, Director and Playwright
Heights Kids’ Day of Music
Maria’s Magical Music Adventure took to the stage for Heights Kids’ Day of Music’s 10th anniversary festival! Ars Lyrica Houston has been a part of Heights Kids’ Day of Music since the festival’s inception, and was thrilled to share their wildly popular children’s play, bringing laughter and music education to local Houston families.
This performance of Maria’s Magical Music Adventure was underwritten by Connie Kwan-Wong and CKW Luxe Magazine.
Cast:
Rachel Shukan as Maria
Darian Wes as Carlos
Coral Hernandez Longoria as Allegra
Andrés González as Antonio Vivaldi
Joanna Becker, violin
Maria Lin, viola
Fran Koiner, cello
Emma Kent Wine, Composer, arranger and author
Tim Fried-Fiori, Director and Playwright
Campbell Learning Center
As part of our mission to make quality fine arts education accessible to students of all ages, Campbell Learning Center and Ars Lyrica Houston teamed up to create an afternoon of family fun, including interactive vocal warm-ups, a performance of Maria’s Magical Music Adventure, and a violin masterclass featuring Houston’s finest young violinists with Andrés González.
This performance of Maria’s Magical Music Adventure was underwritten by Connie Kwan-Wong and CKW Luxe Magazine.
Cast:
Rachel Shukan as Maria
Darian Wes as Carlos
Coral Hernandez Longoria as Allegra
Andrés González as Antonio Vivaldi
Joanna Becker, violin
Maria Lin, viola
Matthew Dudzik, cello
Emma Kent Wine, Composer, arranger and author
Tim Fried-Fiori, Director and Playwright
Miller Outdoor Theater
As a part of Miller Outdoor Theater’s mission to provide free and inclusive performances to local Houstonians, Maria’s Magical Music Adventure took center stage in June and October of 2023. Reaching over 2800 children of all ages, Maria’s Magical Music Adventure explores the themes of teaching kids about classical music and being brave while trying new things!
Cast:
Rachel Shukan as Maria
Darian Wes as Carlos
Coral Hernandez Longoria as Allegra
Andrés González as Antonio Vivaldi
Maria Lin, violin
Lauren Ross, viola
Matthew Dudzik, cello
Emma Kent Wine, Composer, arranger and author
Tim Fried-Fiori, Director and Playwright
ExxonMobil Discovery Series: Maria’s Magical Music Adventure (Bilingual)
As the inaugural show of the ExxonMobil Discovery Series Performance at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, we shared six, sold-out performances of our hilarious, educational, and bilingual children's play Maria's Magical Music Adventure, reaching around three thousand HISD 5th graders that week!
Cast:
Rachel Shukan as Maria
Darian Wes as Carlos
Coral Hernandez Longoria as Allegra
Andrés González as Antonio Vivaldi
Joanna Becker, violin
Maria Lin, viola
Matthew Dudzik, cello
Emma Kent Wine, Composer, arranger and author
Tim Fried-Fiori, Director and Playwright
Learn “I Am Brave”!
Maria’s Magical Music Adventure offers a multitude of musical genres that all intertwine to create a beautiful story of self-confidence and pride in oneself. Maria wants to compose music, but doesn’t know how, leading her on a journey that results in her composing her own concerto with the help of Antonio Vivaldi. The final composition becomes a collaborative Sing-Along performance between the actors onstage and you, the audience. Watch this video to learn the song with us and be a part of the magic!
Video by BEND Productions. Photos by Lynn Lane.
Neighborhood Community Day at Rothko Chapel:
Maria’s Magical Music Adventure Musical Storytime
As part of Neighborhood Community Day at the Rothko Chapel, Ars Lyrica Houston presented an interactive, family-friendly musical story time of “Maria’s Magical Music Adventure” focused on mindfulness with narrators reading the book in English and Spanish, and featuring live string quartet accompaniment.
Ars Lyrica has also presented live storytimes of the book at Brazos Bookstore, Children’s Museum Houston, Heights Kids’ Day of Music events, and more.
Photos by Pin Lim.
Bring Maria’s Magical Music Adventure to YOUR school
Introduce kids to the power of classical music and inspire them to find their own voices! “Maria’s Magical Music Adventure” is available as both a children’s play or live musical storytime. For grades K-5. Book a performance (scholarships available) by contacting info@arslyricahouston.org.
