The Coterie Theatre Presents U:BUG:ME A Live Rock Musical, Runs 6/23-8/2

Life isn't so easy when you're an earwig or a fly! Pico the fly and his best friend Esteban the earwig know all about it when the Coterie Theatre in Kansas City, MO, presents the world premiere of U:BUG:ME, a live rock musical by Jeremiah Neal, from June 23 to August 2.

The oddly-paired bugs enter the Queen Bee's annual contest with plans to revolutionize the world. (The bug world, that is...) When the bitter horse fly Packo steals their plans, Pico and Esteban need help to avoid a creepy-crawling catastrophe! Live music from the Ant Hill Band will rock the show with hilarious songs.

"The music is such an important part of this production," said Ernie Nolan, director and choreographer. "The music is so likeable, tuneful and groovy. It has a cool, new-style folk rock score that reveals an enduring story of friendship."

"I think the Coterie has never rocked out like this show before," he said. "For audiences, it will be like having their own private rock concert (complete with runway coming out into the audience)."

"The cast not only rivals the vocal talents of any American Idol season, but is also comprised of accomplished musicians who will supplement the Ant Hill Band with acoustic guitars, fiddles, cellos, drums and other musical surprises," Nolan said. "Coterie audiences should get ready to see a fun and funky original show that will have an urban, colorful, and contemporary look right out of the hottest fashion mags today."

U:BUG:ME is the sixth musical in the Coterie's Lab for New Family Musicals. Previous musicals include work by Harry Connick, Jr. (The Happy Elf), Stephen Schwartz (Geppetto & Son) and Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Seussical, Twice Upon A Time and Once On This Island.). The book, music, lyrics and arrangements for U:BUG:ME are all by Jeremiah Neal.

U:BUG:ME is the third and final production in the Coterie's Family Series this season. It is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, the William T. Kemper Foundation, the R.A. Long Foundation, the Missouri Arts Council (MAC) and the ArtsKC Fund.

The Coterie Theatre, now in its 30th 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. U:BUG:ME performs June 23 - August 2. Performances are Tuesdays - Sundays with the exception of Saturday, July 4. For specific dates and times, visit www.coterietheatre.org.

Tickets are $14 for adults; $9 for all children, students and seniors age 60 and up; $8 for season ticket holders. 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.

 

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