Kelvin Roston, Jr., Melanie Brezill & More Jessie Fisher in Chicago Children's Theatre's EDWARD TULANE

Jessie Fisher, the Chicago actress fresh from her Broadway debut in Once, and acclaimed director Stuart Carden are two of the high-profile, professional theater artists already announced for Chicago Children's Theatre's Chicago premiere of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, October 20-November 15, 2015.

Today, Chicago Children's Theatre announced the balance of the cast and design team for its fall debut, a touching tale based on the popular children's book by Newbery Award-winner Kate DiCamillo about a toy rabbit who travels around the world for twenty years before he finds friendship, himself and his way home.

Melanie Brezill, a veteran of the national tours of The Book of Mormon and Mamma Mia!, has joined the Edward Tulane cast as The Woman. Brezill's Chicago credits include Aida at Drury Lane Oakbrook, Yeast Nation at American Theater Company, and Ti Moune in Porchlight Theatre's Once on This Island, a role that won her Black Theatre Alliance Award for Best Actress in a Musical.

Kelvin Roston, Jr. will play The Man. Roston, recently nominated for Best Writing, Best Lead Actor and Best Production awards for his musical Twisted Melodies at Congo Square Theatre, also performed in Court Theatre's Seven Guitars, Northlight's Detroit '67 and The Old Settler at Writers Theatre.

Patrick Budde, a recent graduate of Northwestern who has since worked at Jackalope Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theater and Montana Shakespeare in the Schools, rounds out the cast as The Musician.

The trio joins Jessie Fisher as The Traveler. In addition to Once on Broadway, Fisher participated in Chicago Children's Theatre's Red Kite Round-Up, a live theater experience created for children on the autism spectrum. She also has worked at Chicago Shakespeare, Steppenwolf, TimeLine, About Face, The Hypocrites and American Theatre Company.

Director Stuart Carden, who returns to Chicago Children's Theatre after his acclaimed debut outing with Leo Lionni's Frederick last fall, will collaborate on his second CCT production with only the highest caliber of professional designers: Erik Hellman and Jessie Fisher, co-music director/composer; John Musial, set; Rachel Healy, costumes; Lee Fiskness, lights; Eva Breneman, dialect coach; and Emily Breyer, props. Production stage manager is Katrina Hermann. Assistant stage manager is Andi Sturtevant.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, adapted by Dwayne Hartford, will hop off the page and land on the stage at Chicago Children's Theatre October 20 through November 15 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago.

Previews are Tuesday, October 20 at noon; Wednesday through Friday, October 21 through 23 at 10 a.m.

Press opening is Friday, October 23 at 7 p.m.

Regular performances continue through November 15: Tuesday through Friday at
10 a.m., Saturday at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Exception: No 11 a.m. show Saturday, October 24.

Single tickets are $10-$39, and are on sale now. For tickets and information, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call CCT's dedicated box office line, (872) 222-9555.

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