Children's Theatre Company Announces Details of 2009-2010 Season

In a season celebrating timeless characters, three World Premiere productions and tales that span the globe from Newark, N.J., to India and China, Tony® Award-winning Children's Theatre Company (CTC) today announced details of its first three productions of the 2009-2010 season: "Bert & Ernie, Goodnight!," "Mayhem Poets" and "Cinderella."

With a commitment to providing inventive new theatrical experiences and unparalleled programming, CTC will draw upon its nationally recognized reputation to create one of the country's most diverse performance line-ups for young people. CTC's 2009-2010 season kicks off with the widely anticipated "Bert & Ernie, Goodnight!" - a new theatrical event featuring Sesame Street's classic characters; followed quickly by the renowned hip-hop rhythms of "Mayhem Poets" and a panto-style performance of the classic "Cinderella" tale; launching a season of vastly different theatrical experiences.

"We create the most inspiring and creative productions possible, but this season is exceptionally exciting because of the incredible diversity and range in our programming," says Peter Brosius, artistic director for CTC. Brosius, who is slated to direct "Bert & Ernie, Goodnight!" in its World Premiere, provided these details about the upcoming season.

"Bert & Ernie, Goodnight!" runs from September 8 to October 25. Tap dancing sheep, sing-a-long pigeons and the ever-outlandish Ernie-it's bedlam in this musical comedy featuring the beloved comic duo from Sesame Street. Poor Bert just wants to sleep but Ernie's wildly inventive antics unleash a hilarious misadventure filled with favorite songs, surprises, disasters and endless joy about being Best Friends Forever. Bradley Greenwald and Reed Sigmund, who previously brought "Frog & Toad" to life, star as the iconic characters, Bert and Ernie.

"Ernie and Bert have been well-loved for generations, and they are in great hands thanks to CTC's creative efforts," says Peter van Roden, vice president of Themed Entertainment for Sesame Workshop. "CTC's reputation for bringing exciting new theater to life for children is recognized nationally and internationally, and we're thrilled to partner with them for this unprecedented stage performance."

"Bert & Ernie, Goodnight!" is presented by special arrangement with Sesame Workshop and VEE Corporation. The production is adapted for stage by Barry Kornhauser, one of the country's leading playwrights for young audiences and a master of physical comedy. Scenery is by G.W. "Skip" Mercier, whose credits include the critically acclaimed set design for Disney's "Finding Nemo - The Musical" located at Disney's Animal Kingdom, in Orlando.

Mayhem Poets runs from October 13 to November 7. Hip-hop rhythms lead the way, spoken word tells the tales, and audience participation keeps it real in this dynamic work that brings performance poetry-and imagination-to new heights.

Formed in 2000 by Rutgers University students Kyle Sutton and Scott Tarazevits as an "open-mic" forum, "Mayhem Poets" melds contemporary world issues, dynamic hip-hop artistry, spoken word and audience participation into a nationally renowned theatrical performance, which Broadway World says "leaves audiences changed forever."

"Mayhem Poets" was selected by CTC's Teen Seen Council, an active group of teens chosen to influence CTC's teen programming. "Through the course of their year-long term, the Teen Seen Council read and analyzed countless scripts," says Brosius. "They are an astute group, with their pulse on what is new and interesting for teens. We honor their selection by bringing it to the stage and allowing them to introduce it to their peers."

Cinderella runs from November 10 to January 2. Far from your typical "Cinderella" story, CTC's production spins a gorgeous and thoroughly fresh tale filled with outrageous characters, spectacular scenery and crazy physical comedy.

Bringing to life the energy and spectacle of a panto-style performance, long-time CTC company members Reed Sigmund and Dean Holt, along with Autumn Ness (as Cinderella's stepmother), steal the show as the ugly stepsisters. Under the direction of Peter Brosius, "Cinderella" will feature completely new and creative scenery and costumes coupled with the humor and hilarity of the English panto tradition. Original music is provided by three-time McKnight Fellow and international composer, Victor Zupanc.

Scenery and costume design for "Cinderella" is by Eduardo Sicango, whose inventive costumes for "Ramona Quimby" filled the stage with mermaids, gypsies and headless characters in the 2008-2009 season. Among Sicango's vast, and highly acclaimed, credits are: "The Spring Spectacular" at Radio City Music Hall; "Carmen" and "Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci" for the New York City Opera; the Broadway revival of "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes"; and the World Premiere of "The Harlem Nutcracker."

"Bert & Ernie, Goodnight!," "Mayhem Poets" and "Cinderella" kick off the much anticipated 2009-2010 season. Additional productions in CTC's performance calendar include: "Mr. McGee & the Biting Flea," "According to Coyote," "Iron Ring," Disney's "Mulan, Jr." and "The Biggest Little House in the Forest." For ticket prices and additional information, please contact CTC at 612.874.0400 or via childrenstheatre.org.

Major financial support for these productions is generously provided by The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, Best Buy Children's Foundation, H.B. Fuller and Target Corporation.

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is the first theatre for young people to win the coveted Tony® Award for Outstanding Regional Theater (2003). Founded in 1965, CTC serves more than 300,000 people annually and is one of the 20 largest theater companies in the nation. The company is noted for defining worldwide standards for youth theatre with an innovative mix of classic tales, celebrated international productions and challenging new work.

Photo (L): Bert & Ernie, Goodnight!

Photo (R): Cinderella

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