The Little Rose Play Premieres at The University of Tennessee at Martin’s Vanguard Theater

LOS ANGELES - June 25, 2013 - PRLog -- The University of Tennessee at Martin’s Vanguard Theatre will premiere Sheri Fink’s #1 best-selling, award-winning children’s book as a play adapted by Leon Scioscia and Sheri Fink. The Little Rose will have its premiere on July 26, 2013, 7:00 pm (with a subsequent performance on July 27th at 7:00 pm) in the newly renovated Fine Arts Building’s “Little Theatre.” This will be the first official performance in the new Vanguard Theatre Little Theatre.

Try-outs for children will take place on Monday and Tuesday, June 24 and 25 beginning at 5:30 pm in rm. 216 of Gooch Hall on the UT Martin campus. There are 20 roles available for children ages 8 – 11. Rehearsals for the play will begin Monday July 1, 2013. Participation in performances of The Little Rose is a service provided by Vanguard Theatre to our community and is free. Call 731-446-3493 or 731-881-7400 for information.

The Little Rose, Ms. Fink's first children’s book, enjoys massive popularity due to its heartfelt central message: be yourself, even in the face of bullying. Mr. Scioscia, and Ms. Fink, knew that the story was perfect for the stage so they teamed up to develop, adapt and write the theatrical version of the book.

"I'm so grateful to have worked on this with Leon,” said Sheri Fink. "Together we were able to translate the universal themes into a memorable stage event. I know that my fans will love the Little Rose play as much as they have loved the Little Rose book.”

Leon Scioscia said: “Sheri’s vision of The Little Rose reaches out and touches young and old. She has created a timeless story that tugs at the heart, and makes you think about right and wrong. I am honored to have had the opportunity to adapt the story, with Sheri, because of its worldwide appeal.”

The University of Tennessee at Martin’s Fine Arts Chairman, Douglas J. Cook, remarked: “We are so thrilled to present the world premiere of this classic tale for children. The director of the production, UTM’s Theatre Teacher Melanie Hollis, gets the honor of not only helming this play, but also being the first director to stage a play in the newly renovated Fine Arts Building. I can’t think of a better play to produce, as our first play, than The Little Rose. ”

Sheri Fink is a #1 international best-selling, award-winning children's author and international speaker. She created "The Whimsical World of Sheri Fink" children's brand to inspire and delight kids while planting seeds of self-esteem that can have lifelong benefit. Sheri's books include The Little Rose, The Little Gnome, Exploring the Garden with the Little Rose, and The Little Firefly.

Leon Scioscia has written over 14 plays, several short stories, including The Snow Fort, and poetry – his favorite being: The Man With A Mouth Full Of Jellybeans. His day job enables him to support his writing desires. He has worked for theatre companies all over the United States.

Vanguard Theatre is part of the Department of Visual and Theatre Arts at the University of Tennessee at Martin. The department provides educational, artistic and cultural opportunities for the students of the University and the people of West Tennessee. The faculty and students serve the area through a quality undergraduate professional arts program with performances and exhibits enhancing the aesthetic and cultural awareness of the campus and region while preparing students for careers in the arts, teaching and for advanced study.