Renowned for presenting some of New York City's performing arts for kids, families, and audiences of all ages, the New Victory Theater's 2013-14 season, begins this weekend with the U.S. premiere of Peter Pan. In all, the season will feature one world premiere, nine U.S. premieres and three NY premieres among its 15 productions from seven different countries around the world.

Fiasco Theater’s creative and collaborative troupe will once again color complex characters and illuminate perplexing plots to tell a tale of morality and manipulation in the World Premiere of Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure from February 28-March 16. Last seen on the New Vic stage with their acclaimed production of Cymbeline, presented by Theater for a New Audience, Fiasco Theater recently received kudos for their 10-person, one-piano take on Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Into the Woods at the McCarter Theater.

Peter Pan, the season opener and first U.S. premiere, features a dream ensemble from Sydney’s Belvoir from October 4-13. Artistic director, dreamer, designer and boy leader Ralph Myers saw something inherently wild in J.M. Barrie’s Neverland that reminded him of the Australian bush, and took on the daunting task of staging the whole adventure on a single set.

The U.S. Premiere of Circus Der Sinne’s Mother Africa will fill the New Victory stage with stunning African arSleeping Beautytistry this holiday. Featuring a rare and breathtaking “Icarian Games” act from Ethiopia, stilt walkers from Tanzania and a renowned contortionist from Kenya (known as “the most flexible man in the world”), this eclectic cast from different countries all around the continent mixes modern circus arts with traditional African dance and music for 30 performances from December 6, 2013-January 5, 2014.

The remaining U.S. premieres include Carlo Colla & Sons Marionette Company’s Sleeping Beauty, which combines 18th-century craftsmanship with the symphonies of Tchaikovsky from November 1-November 10; HyperISH, a fusion of dance styles from the Dutch street scene and club circuit taking the stage from May 9-May 18; and three unique productions from Australia, including Patch Theatre Company’s Me and My Shadow (October 19 – October 20), Jump Leads and Jessica Wilson’s kid cabaret, Still Awake Still! (January 18-January 20) and Knee Deep by Brisbane’s hottest new circus company Casus (March 21–March 30).

New York premieres in the new season include Feet Don't Fail Me Now, a tap performance that mixes hard-hitting percussive dance with a live rock band from November 15–December 1 (pictured above); Bob Marley's Three Little Birds, a new musical based on the story by Cedella Marley and featuring the music and lyrics of legendary reggae artist Bob Marley, from February 7–February 23; and the off-the-wall Fluff by Australian performance artist Christine Johnston (April 26–May 4).

Back by popular demand, “America’s Best Clown” (Time) returns next spring to perform a new incarnation of his Drama Desk-nominated show, Bello Mania. Bello Nock, the high-flying dude with the foot-high hair towers above the audience on a 44-foot sway pole in just one of his many daredevil tricks from April 4–April 20.

Young audiences will be delighted in Denmark’s Songs from Above (New Victory Danish Festival, 2007) for ages two through five, while even younger audiences will be captivated by This [Baby] Life (February 12–February 23) for ages 4-18 months and Baby Rave (May 7–May 18) for ages four months to four years.

Ticket Information
For all shows playing at The New Victory Theater (except Mother Africa), tickets are $25, $18, $12 and $9 for Members and $38, $28, $18 and $14 at full price based on seat locations. Tickets to Mother Africa, are $36, $22, $14 and $11 for Members and $55, $33, $21 and $17 at full price based on seat locations. For all shows playing at the New 42nd Street Studios and The Duke on 42nd Street, tickets are $10.50 for Members and $15 at full price.

Theater-goers who buy tickets for three or more New Victoru shows qualify for free Membership benefits, including up to 35-percent savings with tickets as low as $9. Tickets for new Members are available online (NewVictory.org) and by telephone (646.223.3010); full-price tickets for individual productions will be available July 31. The New Victory Theater box office (209 West 42nd Street) is open Sunday and Monday from 11am-5pm and Tuesday through Saturday from 12pm-7pm.