Cast Set for Stages Theatre Company and Escalate Dance's THE VELVETEEN RABBIT

Stages Theatre Company (STC) presents The Velveteen Rabbit, directed by Stages Theatre Company Artistic Director Sandy Boren Barrett, and Escalate Dance Company Artistic Director Ann Marie Omeish. This original dance inspired production adapted from the book by Margery Williams features script & lyrics by playwright Jennifer Kirkeby, with music composed by James Lekatz.  Kirkeby & Lekatz most recently collaborated with Stages on last year’s The Snow Queen.

Stages Theatre Company brings the classic tale by Margery Williams to life on our stage. Set in the golden age of radio, this original dance-inspired musical about the transformational magic of love, will leave you hopping for joy. This treasured story of a stuffed rabbit's desire to become REAL is told through original music and dance. "Real isn't how you are made, it's a thing that happens to you when a child loves you for a long, long time."

This collaboration continues with Escalate Dance Studio, and includes our previous productions of Owl Moon, Twelve Dancing Princesses, and The Snow Queen.

The complete local cast is as follows: Ellen Anderson (Maple Grove), Kolton Ascheman (Blaine), Halle Audette (Brooklyn Park ), Azariyah Barnes (Hopkins), Faith Barrett (Maple Plain), Anika Benz (Apple Valley ), Georgia Blando (Inver Grove Heights), Grace Blando (Inver Grove Heights ), Lily Blando (Inver Grove Heights), Sara Bowman (Maple Grove ), Morgan Burkum (Maple Grove), Natalie Dekker (Prior Lake), Sophie Farrell (Hopkins), Athan Fischer (Minneapolis), Emma Highfield (Plymouth), Ryder T. James (Woodbury), Anastasia Johnson (Maple Grove), Chase Kozak (St Paul), Sara Magnuson (Minneapolis), Marilee Mahler (Minnetonka), Bridget Miller (Hopkins), Sara Moreau (Plymouth), Kyla Ashlee Plair (Brooklyn Center), Abby Reynolds (New Hope ), Anna Stenerson (Maple Grove), Brent Teclaw (St. Paul), Julia Foster Warder (Richfield), Huxley Westemeier (Minneapolis) and Grant Witter (Plymouth).

The creative team consists of Artistic Director - Sandy Boren-Barrett, Co-Directors & Choreographers - Sandy Boren-Barrett & Ann Marie Omeish, Music Director - Sarah Hohenstein Burk, Stage Manager - Emilia Allen, Lighting Designer - Grant Merges, Foley Sound Effects - Peter Morrow, Resident Costumer - Josette Elstad, Set Designer - Joe Stanley, Costume & Make-Up Designer - Lisa Jones, Props Designer - Merritt Rodriguez, Technical Director - Alan Pagel, Production Manager - Melanie Salmon-Peterson,

The Velveteen Rabbit opens Friday, March 10th and runs through Sunday, March 26th, 2017, and is for all ages. Tickets are on sale now! Visit www.stagestheatre.org for specific performance dates and times, or call the Box Office at (952) 979-1111, option 4, Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. Tickets are $16 for adults; $14 for seniors, ages 60+; $12 for children, ages 5 to 17.

Stages Theatre Company was founded in 1984 and since then has grown to become one of the largest professional theatres for young audiences in the country. We engage young artists with themes relevant to their lives and involve them in creating magical works featuring young people in meaningful roles. Through theatrical productions, workshops, conservatory classes and other outreach programs, Stages Theatre Company annually serves more than 145,000 young people and their families.