Coterie Theatre Announces 33rd Season

Share the unexpected next season during the Coterie Theatre's 2011-12 season of live theatre. A unique blend of productions includes notable works of fiction, a horror world premiere, two musicals from the Coterie's Lab for New Family Musicals and an important drama tackling teenage struggles. Now entering its 33rd season of live theatre, the Coterie Theatre continues to provide shared unique theatre experiences for all ages especially families and young audiences.

"At the Coterie, we focus all our energies to creating something unexpected for each production and the 2011-12 season is no exception," said Jeff Church, producing artistic director. "I'm excited to introduce a few new works to our audience and bring back some of the most impactful productions in the Coterie's history - Seusssical, Lucky Duck and The Wrestling Season.

"Our Crown Center location, our intimate setting and our professionalism make for a unique experience that those both young and young-at-heart share," Church said.

THE COTERIE'S 2011 - 2012 SEASON:

• The Outsiders. September 13 - October 9, 2011. By S.E. Hinton. Adapted by Christopher Sergel; directed by Coterie Artistic Director Jeff Church.

It's 1965 and Ponyboy Curtis belongs to a lower-class group of Oklahoma youths who call themselves greasers. Walking home from a movie, Ponyboy is attacked by a group of Socs, short for Socials, and a rival gang that threaten to cut him. So begins this impactful tale by S.E. Hinton, who wrote this landmark work as a teen in Tulsa. Preteen/Young Adult Series

•Children Of The Damned Corn, October 13-30, 2011. World premiere, written and directed by Ron MeGee. Performs at Just Off Broadway Theatre, 3051 Central.

After an accident, Milt and Betty end up in Gatlinville, once home of the World's Largest Cream Corn Factory, but now a church run by a freaky child leader named Malakai. Will Milt and Betty survive? No. Can the Children of the Damned Corn be stopped? No. Will Malakai get you? Depends on how fast you can run through a corn field. Coterie at Night Series, ages 14 & older

•Seussical, November 1 - December 31, 2011. Music by Stephen Flaherty; Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens; Book by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens. Directed by David Ollington and Jeremy Watson.

The plots of Horton Hears a Who and Horton Hatches the Egg are tunefully interwoven in this widely celebrated and critically acclaimed production. The Coterie was credited in The New York Times for originating this version "for all ages"... a true family classic! Family Series

"The Coterie production glows with whimsy and restraint, its inventive puppetry, its simplicity, imagination and witty direction."-Lynn Ahrens, book & lyric writer of Seussical.

•The Wrestling Season, January 24 - February 19, 2012. By Laurie Brooks.

With only a wrestling mat and a referee, eight teenagers struggle with how others seem them and the destructive power of rumors. Commissioned and premiered by the Coterie in 2000, it is one of the most important plays in the Coterie's history and more significant today than ever. After each performance, the referee guides the audience through a post-show Forum. As the actors, in character, discuss their actions with us, we rank their behavior from most to least objectionable. Preteen/Young Adult Series

•Freedom Sisters: Stamping, Shouting & Singing Home, February 22 - March 4, 2012. By Lisa Evans

It is 1950s America, the Deep South; a world on the verge of change but still tainted by everyday injustices and the remnants of slavery. "In my family there's dead people hopping in and out of the conversation all the time." One of those dead people is Lizzie's great-great-great grandmother Sojourner Truth, freedom fighter of slavery, whose voice could not be silenced. As Lizzie unpacks the past, she listens to Sojourner, and in the process, discovers her own voice...fearless, joyful, full of resolve. Preteen/Young Adult Series

•Lucky Duck, March 6-8, 2012. Music by Henry Krieger; Lyrics by Bill Russell; Book by Bill Russell and Jeffrey Hatcher. Directed by Jeff Church. A Premiere Theatre for Young Audiences Production. Performs at the Folly Theater,1020 Central St.

What happens once the Ugly Duckling comes out of her shell? She becomes a singing swan superstar! Homely songbird Serena is viewed as an odd duck by her family, but escapes barnyard mockery to seek her special destiny. From her journey, she discovers that beauty is only feather deep, and she must find her own voice to succeed. A major hit for the Coterie, see it in February at the Folly Theater before moving to New York City with the Kansas City cast! Family Series.

•Fantastic Mr. Fox, April 10 - May 18, 2012. By Roald Dahl; Adapted by David Wood; Directed by Ernie Nolan.

Roald Dahl's much-loved story about Mr. Fox-great husband, father and rogue-who tries to outwit the repulsive Boggis, Bunce and Bean, the nastiest and meanest three farmers you could ever meet. They join together to rid themselves of Mr. Fox but things don't go exactly as planned! Lots of terrific tunnels and tabletop feasts in this tale that reminds everyone that greediness and selfishness are to be fought against. Family Series.

• Young Playwrights' Festival 2012, May 9 and 10, 2012. The Coterie's Young Playwrights' Festival features a collection of new work by the city's best young writers. The rich and varied theatrical writings which emerge from a year-long process are forged into an ambitious festival of script-in-hand stagings utilizing professional actors. Preteen/Young Adult Special Event

•Once Upon a Mattress, June 19 - August 5, 2012.Music by Mary Rodgers; Lyrics byMarshallBarer; Book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Marshall Barer. Directed by Jeff Church. Part of the Coterie's acclaimed Lab for New Family Musicals.

Control-freak mom, Queen Aggravain, chases off her son's chances of finding a princess by creating unbeatable tests. Along comes klutzy Princess Winnifred from the swamp (who swims the moat) to set the Prince's heart aflame. So, the Queen plans her most difficult challenge yet. The palace is filled with merriment and mischief while everyone wonders: will Princess "Fred" pass the Queen's test?Based on Hans Christian Andersen's"The Princess and the Pea," Mary Rodgers (daughter of composer Richard Rodgers) originally wrote this comic musical for a camp show. It has enchanted audiences since it appeared on Broadway with Carol Burnett. Chances are you'll never look at this fairy tales the same way again. Family Series.

TICKETS, TARGET SATURDAYS AND SOMETHING FUN FRIDAY NIGHTS
All tickets are now on sale at www.coterietheatre.org or by calling (816) 474-6552. Group reservations, Target Saturday and Employee Share tickets are not available online.

Individual tickets are $10 for youth, students and seniors age 60 and up; $15 for adults (excludes Holiday Pricing). HolidayPricing (Nov. 25 - Dec. 31): $12 for youth, students and seniors; $17 for adults. Group tickets for 20 or more are $5.50 per person weekdays; $6.50 per person weekends (Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays; excludes Holiday Pricing). Group tickets must be purchased in advance. Holiday Pricing (Nov. 25 - Dec. 31): $6 for weekday groups; $7 for weekend groups.

Season Tickets are $9 per ticket for three or more plays - regardless of age. Season ticket holders do not have to order the same number of tickets for each production and are the only patrons able to exchange tickets.

Target Saturdays: Every Saturday matinee for every production, patrons who buy at least one ticket, get one free ticket courtesy of Target! Restrictions apply (see web for details); not available online.

Coterie at Night: Tickets for Children of the Damned Corn are $12. Group rate: 10 tixs for $10 - Advance orders only.

Something Fun Friday Nights: All Friday night performances will be followed by a free post-performance activity for audiences. The intimate interactive experience may include a backstage tour, comedy spoof by the Culture Hacks (the Coterie's teen comedy troupe), autograph session or Opening Night reception. Each show offers unique opportunities for something fun and special. (Note: Something Fun Friday Nights will not be held during Children of the Damned Corn,The Wrestling Season or Freedom Sisters performances).

The Coterie Theatre, named "One of the Five Best Theatres for Young Audiences in the U.S." by TIME magazine, is located on level one, Crown Center Shops in Kansas City.

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