Theatreworks USA Plans Free Summer Show, The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks

Theatreworks USA has chosen The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks as its summer theater production, which will run from July 16 to August 22 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. Tickets are free and available on a first come, first served basis in-person at the theater's box office on the day of the performance. An opening night benefit performance will be held on July 24.

The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks is a new 60-minute, one-act musical with book, music and lyrics by Joe Iconis, composer-in-residence at Ars Nova. Based on the children's book of the same name by Nancy McArthur, the production is directed by John Simpkins and choreographed by Jennifer Werner.

The cast includes Jason Williams as Michael and Lance Rubin as Norman and features Lorinda Lisitza as Mom, Lauren Marcus as Patty Jenkins, Jeffrey Omura as Jason/Mackenzie and Kilty Reidy as Dad.

For 10-year-old neatnik Norman, sharing a room with his messy older brother Michael is a nightmare, with heaps of crumpled paper, clothes strewn about and piles of smelly, dirty socks everywhere. Michael sends away for some "Amazing Beans," and before long, the boys are the proud owners of two giant plants. But as the plants grow taller and taller, the boys realize that their socks are mysteriously disappearing! As the plants' hunger for socks grows, Norman and Michael must try to conceal their botanical secret from the rest of the kids on Levitt Lane, especially the frighteningly nosy cheerleader, Patty Jenkins.

The show features scenic design by Michael Schweikardt, costume design by Tracy Christensen, lighting design by Chris Dallos, sound design by Eric Shim, puppet design by Eric Wright and music direction by Jana Zielonka.

More than 20,000 free tickets will be distributed to The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks this summer. The show is recommended for children ages four and up.