Coterie Theatre Presents THE WIZ And More In Upcoming Season

The Coterie Theatre's 2010-2011 season of live theatre offers a range of performances that include science fiction masterpieces, a vampire world premiere, a musical and a drama based on award-winning literature, a Ben Franklin inspired tale and a new version of Broadway's The Wiz. Now entering its 32nd season of live theatre, the Coterie Theatre continues to provide unique theatre experiences for all ages especially families and young audiences.

"What makes a Coterie season unique, I feel, is this interesting blend of musicals for families, theatre for young audiences often based on great literature for kids, as well as some things we do just for fun like the Coterie At Night series," Church said.

"As the number one arts educator in Kansas City, we feel we are a different kind not-for-profit theatre and this season certainly reflects it," he said. "I'm really excited about what we have to offer audiences this year."

In addition to Church, the artistic talent for the 2010-2011 season includes a guest list of prominent directors: Ron MeGee (Sorority House of the Dead), Missy Koonce (Alexander and the Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day - the Musical), and Kyle Hatley, (Ben Franklin's Apprentice).

New this season will be 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 every Friday night.

The Coterie's 2010 - 2011 Season:
Sept. 21 - Oct. 17, 2010
Science Fiction Triple Feature. Three masterpieces on stage based on a concept by Jeff Church: The Veldt (by Ray Bradbury): A virtual reality playroom comes alive. Flowers for Algernon (by Daniel Keyes): To enhance IQ, a surgical improvement turns intellectual disability into genius. By the Waters of Babylon (by Stephen Vincent Benét): A young priest's mission is to explore the forbidden Place of the Gods. Preteen / Young Adult Series

October 21 - 31, 2010
Sorority House of the Dead. World Premiere. It's the 1980s, and time for sorority initiations! And that means fresh, new blood. New pledges that is. Who will survive the terrifying all-night lock down in the decaying mansion on Sorority Hill? What horrors await young girls who just want to have fun? Our lips are sealed! Coterie At Night Series Only 13 and up admitted.

Nov. 2 - Dec. 31, 2010
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day - The Musical. From the moment Alexander wakes up (with gum in his hair), everything that can go wrong seems to, in one epic day. All kids experience this type of day and will be glad to find out in this terrific musical that they aren't alone! Family Series

January 18 - February 27, 2011
Bridge to Terabithia. Katherine Peterson's Newbery Award winning novel shows how two friends, Leslie and Jessie, together create Terabithia, a fantasy kingdom where they are safe from those who don't understand them. Preteen / Young Adult Series March 4-6, 2011; On tour to schools: January 31 - March 3, 2011 The Greek Mythology Olympiaganza. Greek Mythology as you've never seen it before! Complete with action figure puppets, a beauty pageant, warring narrators and general theatrical insanity, this fast-paced, free-wheeling play is wild, silly, and a complete blast for young adults. Preteen/Young Adult Series

April 4 - May 7, 2011
Ben Franklin's Apprentice. Dazzling special effects highlight this tale of an American hero's struggle to tame heaven's own power. This thrilling play for families culminates on a stormy night with the crack of thunder, a blinding flash of lightning and a science experiment that changed history! Family Series

May 12 - 13, 2011
Young Playwrights' Festival 2011. 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

June 21 - August 7, 2011
The Wiz A brand new version for all young people! The Tony Award winning musical! Celebrate the power of believing in yourself in this Tony award-winning musical based on the tale we all know by heart, with soaring songs: Ease on Down the Road, Brand New Day, No Bad News, Be a Lion! Family Series

Tickets
Individual tickets: $10 for youth, students and seniors age 60 and up; $15 for adults (excludes Holiday Pricing). Groups of 20 or more: $5.50 per person weekdays; $6.50 per person weekends (Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays). Group tickets must be purchased in advance.

All Saturday performances are TARGET SATURDAY MATINEES: One free ticket with purchase courtesy of Target! Restrictions apply; not available online. Season Discount Deal tickets are $9 per ticket for three or more plays - regardless of age.

Holiday Pricing: Thanksgiving - Dec. 31: $12 for youth, students and seniors; $17 for adults; $9 for season ticket holders. Group Tickets are $6 for weekday groups; $7 for weekend groups. (Note: Tickets prior to Nov. 27 remain regular season prices.)

Coterie at Night tickets for Sorority House of the Dead, are $12. Group rate: 10 tixs for $10 - Advance orders only.

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. 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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