Children's Theatre of Charlotte Announces 2010-11 Season

A strong lineup of productions for the 2010-11 season continues Children's Theatre Of Charlotte's commitment to providing theatre that entertains, challenges and inspires young people and families. In its 63rd year, the Theatre presents a wide range of shows, including musical spectacular Disney's Aladdin, the return of popular holiday production Scrooge! and several storybook adaptations that are new to area audiences.

A diverse roster of guest artists, including returning favorites Djembe Fire! and Billy Jonas, rounds out this year's offerings. Although the season begins at the end of September with Disney's Aladdin, the Theatre has expanded its calendar by offering special event programming in August 2010 and a Tarradiddle Players production in June 2011.

Building on the success of past production Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the season opens with an original staging of Disney's Aladdin, a theatrical magic carpet ride for the whole family. The beloved characters and Academy Award-winning songs from the hit animated film make this musical a dazzling journey of discovery and adventure.

For the holidays, Children's Theatre Of Charlotte is delighted to bring back Scrooge!, Leslie Bricusse's musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol. Last performed by the Theatre in 2003, this upbeat, richly detailed production tells a heart-warming story of redemption and forgiveness. The Tarradiddle Players celebrate the season of giving with The Littlest Angel, a charming family favorite.

The new year brings two fresh page-to-stage adaptations of popular picture books. Based on the award-winning book by South Carolina native Melinda Long, How I Became a Pirate is a fun family musical that offers high seas adventure for ages 5 and up. The Tarradiddle Players' production of If You Take a Mouse to School is sure to please fans of Laura Numeroff's wildly popular series.

And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank is a heart-wrenching look at the Holocaust through the eyes of young people who grew up during this period of history. The play weaves videotaped interviews with live acting to tell the stories of Anne Frank and Holocaust survivors Ed Silverberg and Eva Schloss.

Kevin Kling's toe-tapping, finger-snapping adaptation of Lyle the Crocodile brings the world's most loveable reptile to vibrant, joyful life onstage. Tomás and the Library Lady, performed by the Tarradiddle Players, tells the true story of Tomás Rivera, the child of migrant farm workers who became an award-winning novelist and nationally-recognized educator. This touching play celebrates the power of learning and the difference one person can make in the lives of others.

Children's Theatre's high school Ensemble Company presents a bold adaptation of modern classic Lord of the Flies in the Wachovia Playhouse, an offering especially for teen audiences. And the Tarradiddle Players finish their season in the Wachovia Playhouse with June performances of The Commedia Princess and the Pea, part of their repertoire of Commedia dell'arte favorites.

Children's Theatre Of Charlotte will not raise ticket prices for the 2010-11 season, and offers several ways for families to save on tickets. In addition to the Early Bird Discount (order by September 1 and save $1 per ticket), the Theatre Offers a season-long program through which families can save $2 per ticket by ordering tickets for three or more productions at one time. In addition, tickets to select Friday night performances throughout the year will be half-price as part of the Target Family Time Series sponsored by Target. Tickets for the season will go on sale May 17.

Performances will be in the McColl Family Theatre Or Wachovia Playhouse at ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th Street. For more information call the Box Office at 704-973-2828 (10 am to 5 pm, Mon.-Fri.). Details on all productions follow.

Children's Theatre Of Charlotte 2010-2011 Season

And Then They Came For Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank

By James Still
Mar. 4-13, 2011 • Wachovia Playhouse
Front Orchestra $18 / General Section $14
Crown Experience
And Then They Came for Me is a unique theatrical experience that tells the real stories of Anne Frank and Holocaust survivors Ed Silverberg and Eva Schloss. The intersecting family histories of these three young people paint a vivid picture of life before and during World War II. Ed appears in Anne's famous diary as her first boyfriend, while Eva and Anne were the same age and grew up in the same apartment building. Like the Franks, Eva and her family went into hiding and were eventually betrayed to the Nazis. Weaving videotaped interviews of Ed and Eva with scenes in which actors recreate their lives, And Then They Came for Me has been acclaimed by audiences and critics in productions across the United States.
For ages 10+/ Grades 6+ Best enjoyed by Middle and High School ages

Lyle the Crocodile
Based on the books by Bernard Waber
Adapted by Kevin Kling
Apr. 1-17, 2011 • McColl Family Theatre
Front Orchestra $24 / General Section $18
Crown Experience
When the Primm family moves into their new apartment, they are very surprised to find Lyle the Crocodile living in the bathtub. Lyle, however, is no ordinary crocodile. He eats only Turkish caviar, can play the saxophone and has impeccable manners. Mr. and Mrs. Primm and their son Joshua quickly learn to love Lyle, but will crotchety next-door neighbor Mr. Grumps insist on sending this new member of their family off to the zoo? With toe-tapping, finger-snapping tunes, this adaptation of the picture book classic brings the world's most loveable reptile to vibrant, joyful life onstage.
For Ages 5+/Grades K+ Best enjoyed by Elementary ages

Tomás and the Library Lady
Based on the book by Pat Mora

Adapted for the stage by José Cruz González

Apr. 29-May 8, 2011 • Wachovia Playhouse
Front Orchestra $18 / General Section $14
Tarradiddle Experience
Tomás and his family travel north from their home in Texas for a summer of farm work. Tomás loves being with his parents and listening to his Papá Grande's stories, but traveling around so much makes it hard to learn English and do well in school. He finds refuge at the local library, where a friendly librarian introduces him to the exciting world of books, and fosters a lifelong love of reading and learning. Adapted from Pat Mora's book about Tomás Rivera, the child of migrant farm workers who became an award-winning novelist and nationally-recognized educator, this warm and touching play reminds us of the difference one person can make in the lives of others. Performed by the Tarradiddle Players.

For Ages 7+/Grades 2+ Best enjoyed by Elementary and Middle School ages

Lord of the Flies
Adapted for the stage by Nigel Williams
Based on the novel by William Golding
May 11-14, 2011 • Wachovia Playhouse
All seats $10
Young Adult Experience
A plane crashes on a deserted island, leaving a group of schoolboys behind as the only survivors. At first the stranded boys cooperate, selecting a leader and organizing food, shelter and a signal fire, but many find that they would rather swim, play and hunt the island's population of wild pigs. Before long, the well-behaved group has turned into a bloodthirsty tribe. Exploring the boundary between human reason and animal instinct, William Golding's classic is just as chilling and relevant today as when it was first published in 1954. Performed by our high school Ensemble Company.
For Ages 12+/Grades 7+ Best enjoyed by Middle and High School ages

The Commedia Princess and the Pea
By Lane Riosley and Rebecca L. Byars

June 17-26, 2011 • Wachovia Playhouse
Front Orchestra $18 / General Section $14
Tarradiddle Experience
How can you tell if someone is really, truly a princess? In this funny, fast-paced show, the Tarradiddle Players put a slapstick spin on Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairy tale. The lonely Prince wants to find someone to marry, but potential princesses must first get past his mother the Queen and her long list of tests. Will any of them be royal enough to turn a cartwheel, sing "Happy Birthday" while hopping up and down on one leg, and feel a teeny, tiny pea under a big stack of mattresses? With its roots in the humorous, physical acting style of Italian Commedia dell'arte, this production is pure fun.

For Ages 5+/Grades K+ Best enjoyed by Elementary School ages

2010-2011 Special Events

Under the Rainbow
Tarradiddle Players Preschool Show
Compiled and performed by the Tarradiddle Players
Mar. 26-27, 2011 • Wachovia Playhouse
Front Orchestra $12 / General Section $10
Preschool Experience
Under the Rainbow weaves together simple folktales, including "The Fisherman and His Wife," "There Was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly" and "Bear Hunt," into a fun and colorful performance. This introduction to live theatre for our youngest audiences emphasizes storytelling and audience participation.
For Ages 3-5 Best enjoyed by Preschool ages

 

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