Coterie Theatre Presents BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA, Closes 2/27

The humor, warmth and emotional intensity of Katherine Paterson's Newbery Awarding winning novel, Bridge to Terabithia, unfolds on the stage through February 27, at the Coterie Theatre, level 1 Crown Center Shops.

Bridge to Terabithia tells the story of Jesse, a boy alienated from the pragmatism of his family and rural Virginia culture, who dreams of becoming something special. Leslie, the new girl from the city and the ultimate outsider, opens up a world of imagination, art and literature for him. Together they create Terabithia, a fantasy kingdom where they are safe from those who don't understand them. The stage version is written by the author Katherine Paterson and Stephanie S. Tolan.

"I felt now was the perfect time to have this story on the Coterie stage," said Jeff Church, producing artistic director. "Jesse, the main character, comes from a rural family where the dad has trouble finding work. The secret artist that's inside of Jesse can't develop until an outsider, Leslie, becomes his friend and brings out his imagination. I love the idea that a single friendship can be so life-changing.

"The 'bridge' in this play is not a literal one, but it is the emotional journey two friends take together. In life, there are certain things you can't face alone, and friends serve as our bridges. They help us overcome difficult situations," he said.

Every Friday night after Bridge to Terabithia there will be a free Something Fun experience: Audiences may enjoy an Opening Night reception, a comedy spoof by the Coterie's teen comedy troupe ("The Culture Hacks"), or a backstage tour. The event will change each week.

Bridge to Terabithia is the second production in the Coterie's Preteen/Young Adults Series and is funded in part by the Missouri Arts Council (MAC) and the ArtsKC Fund.

ABOUT THE COMPANY
The cast incluDes Coleman Crenshaw, Jayme Overstreet and Amy Urbina; Young adults: Emma Calvert (Shawnee Mission East High School), Georgia Dubois (Shawnee Mission East High School), Marshall Hopkins (Richard Warren Middle School), Sean Moise (Congress Middle School), Megan Secrest (Arbor Creek Elementary), Lanie Shirck (Suny Vale Middle School), Haley Wolf (Pleasant Lea Middle School) and Austin Zollars (Barstow School).

"It's rare to see kids give performances on stage with great depth, yet that's just what this play asks of our professional acting apprentices, who perform with professional adult actors in this production. In the rehearsal process, I treat them no differently than a professional actor," Church said.

Many youth cast members are making their professional debut in this Coterie production, but that doesn't mean this is their first in-depth Coterie experience. "Quite a few have distinguished themselves by doing excellent work in the Coterie's School for Theatre Exploration," he said. "There's nothing 'amateur' about these kids as they perform alongside Coterie professionals and work with our Production Company of designers."

The artistic and Production Company includes Jeff Church (director), Jeremy Watson (music supervision), Megan Catherine Gross (set designer), Lee Berhorst (properties), Ron MeGee (properties), Georgianna Londre (costume designer), Art Kent (lighting designer), David Kiehl (sound designer), Amy Abels Owen (stage manager), Scott Hobart (technical director), Shawnna Journagan (assistant director, production assistant), Matt Larson (carpenter).

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The Coterie Theatre, now in its 32nd 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 in Kansas City, Mo. Bridge to Terabithia performs January 18 - February 27 Tuesdays through Sundays.
Opening Night January 21 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 January 22 and 23. In addition, links to the new Coterie Viewtube series for Bridge to Terabithia featuring backstage interviews with cast and designers will be posted on the Coterie website three weeks prior to the first performance.

Individual Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for all children, students and seniors age 60 and up; $9 for Season Discount Deal holders. Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more. 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 and free book; restrictions apply; not available online.

NOTABLE DATES:
January 21, Opening Night: Free post-performance reception with director and Company.

January 28, February 4, 11, 18 and 25: Something Fun Friday Night! A free post-performance event that may be an opportunity to meet the cast, tour the stage, enjoy a comedy spoof or free Q&A. Event will change with each performance.

January 22 and 23, Q&A: Free post-performance question and answer sessions with the Company.

January 22, 29, February 5, 13, 19 and 26: TARGET Saturdays: Free ticket with purchase; restrictions apply; not available online.

February 5: Interpreted performance in American Sign Language

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