Disney's 101 DALMATIONS Returns to the Children's Theatre

A large part of The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre's goal has been to bring entertainment for all ages to the Frederick stage. The area's only year-round producing theatre has done just that with its popular Children's Theatre. Opened in 1996, Way Off Broadway's Children's Theatre produces shows the entire family can enjoy. In the beginning, it produced original musical stage adaptations of classic fairytales.

In 2011, The Children's Theatre was revamped and began producing stage versions of popular children's movies and books. The first of these new shows was Disney's 101 Dalmatians which was an instant hit. After almost six years, Pongo, Perdita, and all their puppies, along with Cruella De Vil and her bumbling henchmen, will be returning to The Children's Theatre for a fun fall run beginning September 17th.

Disney's classic animated tale of kidnapping villains and courageous puppies is adapted in this "fur-tastic" musical adventure. Pet owners, Roger and Anita, live happily in London with their Dalmatians, Pongo and Perdita, stalwart dogs devoted to raising their puppies. Everything is quiet until Anita's former classmate, the monstrous Cruella De Vil, plots to steal the puppies for her new fur coat. The Dalmatians rally all the dogs of London for a daring rescue of the puppies from Cruella and her bumbling henchmen.

The original animated film 101 Dalmatians was released in 1961, which was itself an adaptation of the novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith. Disney released a live action version of the film in 1996 starring Glenn Close as Cruella De Vil, followed by a sequel four years later.

Disney's 101 Dalmatians has music & lyrics by Mel Leven, Randy Rogel, Richard Gibbs, BrIan Smith, Dan Root, and Martin Lee Fuller; a book adapted by Marcy Heisler; music adapted and arranged by Bryan Louiselle; and is based on the screen play by Bill Pete. Way Off Broadway's production runs September 10th - October 29th and is under the direction of Jordan B. Stocksdale.

Children's Theatre performances are every Saturday afternoon and the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month. Doors open for lunch each day at 11:30 a.m. with the show beginning at 12:30 p.m. Tickets for lunch and the show cost $17 per person.

To purchase tickets, call the Box Office at (301) 662-6600. To learn more about Way Off Broadway or any of its productions, visit www.wayoffbroadway.com.

The Children's Theatre at Way Off Broadway is a part of The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre, which, under the direction of the Kiska Family since 2002, celebrated its 20th Anniversary Platinum Season in 2014. Since it first opened in 1995, the theatre has been a leader in the area's theatre community, proudly bringing both classic musicals, as well as regional and area premieres to the Frederick stage. Productions have included The Addams Family, Les Misérable,Sunset Boulevard, Legally Blonde, Dolly Parton's 9 to 5: The Musical, The Music Man, Jekyll & Hyde, Hairspray,South Pacific, The Drowsy Chaperone, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Full Monty, Mel Brooks' The Producers, CATS,The Wedding Singer, Evita, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, Grease, La Cage aux Folles, Guys & Dolls, Steel Magnolias, Annie, Bye Bye, Birdie, The King & I, ...Forum, Lend Me a Tenor,Joseph..., Blood Brothers, Mame, and 42nd Street. Way Off Broadway is also the home of a one-of-a-kind children's lunch theatre, offering entertainment for the entire family, giving children a chance to see their favorite characters live on stage. In addition to its regular season, the theatre produces a number of special events throughout the year including an annual Breakfast with Santa (and Mrs. Claus) and an interactive mysteries series. www.wayoffbroadway.com