Coterie Presents Andrew Clements' FRINDLE, 4/6-5/23

Andrew Clements' award-winning story, Frindle, performs at the Coterie Theatre in Crown Center April 6 - May 23. The humorous story follows Nick, a very creative student, and his discovery into the power of words. Due to the popularity of Frindle, run dates have been extended from the originally published performances.

In Mrs. Granger's language arts class, Nick gets his best idea ever when his teacher explains how words end up in the dictionary. Nick decides to create his own word... frindle, and he gets other kids in the class to use the word. Before long Nick's word creates a buzz well beyond his school and town. But his teacher loves the dictionary, so a fierce power struggle ensues over a made-up word!

"I'm thrilled to be doing this play," said Director Ernie Nolan. "I shared this book with the Coterie years ago when I was doing an internship. I overhead two teachers at Barnes and Noble talking about how smart and funny it was and how much their kids loved it. I read it and agreed with them. I knew I had to do it on stage.

"It's an empowering story for young people about how their ideas can change the way they think," he said. "And for adults, it reminds me of the power we have to inspire young people. What's neat in the end is that both the student and the teacher learn from each other."

For the stage, we've had to think out of the box when interpreting the story, Nolan said. The designers, for example, looked to pop culture for inspiration. PBteen and Andy Warhol influenced the set design. Iconic youth images such as Zac Efron inspired the costumes.

"I think the audience will see something really cool and contemporary. It speaks to young people without being a fairy tale or overblown cartoon," he said.

"Andrew Clements set the standard for the school story in 1996 with his first novel, Frindle, which went on to sell more than two million copies... Frindle hits every note right." - New York Times Sunday Book Review

Frindle is the second production in the Coterie's Family Series. Funding is provided in part by the Missouri Arts Council (MAC) and the ArtsKC Fund.

ABOUT THE COMPANY
The cast features Kevin Albert (Mr. Freed), Aaron Branch (Chris), Molly Denninghoff (Mom), Alex Espy (Dad), Peggy Friesen (Mrs. Granger), Nick Grant (Howie), Jennie Greenberry (Mrs. Chatham), Melanie Humphrey (Janet), Jeff Newman (Ensemble), Cooper J. Scott ( Nick), Carley Whitt (Janet), and Corrie Van Ausdal (Judy, Darlene).

The artistic and Production Company includes Ernie Nolan (director), James Holborow (set designer), Kelly Kasper (costume designer), Ryan Hall (composer), Ron MeGee (properties), Art Kent (light designer), David Kiehl (sound designer), Amy M. Abels Owen (stage manager), Scott Hobart (technical director), , and Rachel May Cain (assistant director, production assistant and house manager).

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The Coterie Theatre, now in its 31st Season and named "One of the Five Best Theaters for Young Audiences in the U.S." by TIME magazine, is located on level one of Crown Center Shops. Frindle performs April 6 - May 23. Performances are Tuesdays - Sundays except May 9. For specific dates and times, visit www.coterietheatre.org .

Opening Night April 9 audiences are invited to a free post-performance reception with director and cast members. Free question and answer sessions about the show and "how it's done" will take place after the 2 p.m. performances April 10 and 11. In addition, a Digital Guide featuring background information about Andrew Clements, behind-the-scenes interviews with the creators, director and company members will be posted at www.coterietheatre.org.

Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for all children, students and seniors age 60 and up; $9 for season ticket holders. Group rates available. Tickets may be purchased online at www.coterietheatre.org or by calling the Coterie box office (816) 474-6552 from 10 a.m. to 4 p. m. Monday through Friday. TARGET Saturdays: Free ticket with purchase; restrictions apply; not available online.

NOTABLE DATES:
April 9, Opening Night: Free post-performance reception with director and Company.
April 10 and 11, Free Q&A: Post-performance question and answer sessions with the Company.
April 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15, TARGET Saturdays: Free ticket with purchase; free Frindle book, one per order.
May 1: Interpreted performance in American Sign Language

Photo: Nick (Cooper J. Scott) creates a buzz when he invents a new word...frindle. Photo: Marianne Kilroy/Coterie Theatre

 

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