Hartford Children’s Theatre Presents CLASS CLOWN, a new play by Award-Winning Children’s Book Author Johanna Hurwitz

Hartford Children’s Theatre presents the world-premiere of CLASS CLOWN, a new play by award-winning children’s book author Johanna Hurwitz Friday, March 11 through Sunday, March 12, 2011 at HCT’s Carriage House Theatre (360 Farmington Avenue).  The second production in HCT’s new touring division HCT ON THE ROAD, CLASS CLOWN is available for performances at schools throughout Connecticut beginning Monday, March 14, 2011.

Lucas Cott is the most rambunctious pupil in Mrs. Hockaday's fourth grade class.  He flings pencils and cracks jokes when things seem a bit dull and he always forgets to raise his hand.  When his teacher sends home a note, Lucas vows to behave even though it doesn’t sound like much fun.  Try as he might, most of Lucas’ good intentions quickly go awry.  When Lucas suggests a circus theme for the end of the year class play, he sees his chance to show Mrs. Hockaday that he can be a real ringleader.  Can he convince his teacher or will he always be the “class clown?”  Adapted for the stage from her celebrated 1987 Morrow Junior Books (now HarperCollins) book of the same name, Johanna Hurwitz’s CLASS CLOWN is a warm and funny story about a boy who learns that there’s a time and place for everything – even humor.

Johanna Hurwitz is the award-winning author of more than sixty popular books for young readers, including Faraway Summer; Dear Emma; Elisa Michaels, Bigger & Better; Fourth-Grade Fuss and Rip-Roaring Russell, an American Library Association Notable Book. In addition, Hurwitz has written historical fiction, young adult novels, nonfiction and biographies of Anne Frank, Astrid Lindgren, Leonard Bernstein and Helen Keller.