Children's Theatre Company/The Old Globe/The Old Vic Announce the U.S. Premiere and Casting for Dr. Seuss's THE LORAX

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) together with The Old Globe (San Diego) in partnership with The Old Vic (London) today announced details for the Minneapolis and San Diego productions of Dr. Seuss's The Lorax, based on the book The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. The musical is adapted for the stage by David Greig (Artistic Director of the Royal Lyceum Theatre Company; recent work: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Cover My Tracks) with music and lyrics written by Charlie Fink (Frontman/songwriter for the hit musical group, Noah and the Whale(2007-2015)). The musical will have its U.S. premiere at CTC followed by an immediate transfer to The Old Globe in San Diego. H. Adam Harris, combined with Meghan Kreidler and Rick Miller puppeteering, will play The Lorax. Joining them is Steven Epp as The Once-ler. Playing multiple roles in the ensemble are Ansa Akyea, Christopher Becknell, Stephanie Bertumen, Brian Bose, Ryan Colbert, Lynnea Doublette, Johannah "Joh" Easley, Rajané Katurah, Ryan Lear, Ryan Dean Maltz, Emily Michaels King and CTC Company Member Autumn Ness. See below for complete bio information.

"Dr. Seuss Enterprises is thrilled to see this fantastic show, which premiered at The Old Vic in London, make its way across the ocean to two theatres with whom we have longstanding relationships-Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis and The Old Globe in San Diego," said Susan Brandt, President of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. "With continued headlines focused on environmental concerns such as deforestation, pollution, and melting ice caps, The Lorax's message is one that remains relevant and poignant almost 50 years after it was written. It is gratifying to see three of the world's best theatres bring Ted Geisel's important message about taking care of our planet and each other to the next generation of Seuss fans and naturalists."

Dr. Seuss's The Lorax, originally produced by The Old Vic in London, is directed by Max Webster (Associate Director at The Old Vic) with choreography by Drew McOnie (Oliver Award Winner for Best Theatre Choreographer for In the Heights), scenic and costume design by Rob Howell (Broadway credits: Groundhog Day, Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical, Ghost the Musical, Private Lives), lighting design by Jon Clark (Associate Artist of the Royal Shakespeare Company) and sound design by Tom Gibbons (Oliver Award for Best Sound Design for People, Places and Things). Puppet direction is by Finn Caldwell for Gyre and Gimble (Broadway's War Horse and Angels in America), puppetry design by Finn Caldwell and Nick Barnes (West End's Mr. Popper's Penguins, London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony) and musical supervisor and arranger Phil Bateman (Original Music Director for West End's Billy Elliot the Musical, vocal arranger for the film Kinky Boots). CTC's creative team includes associate director James Vasquez (the Globe's American Mariachi and Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!), music direction by Victor Zupanc (CTC's resident composer and music director) and stage manager Stacy McIntosh. See below for complete bio information.

"We are thrilled to bring our audiences the U.S. premiere of Dr. Seuss's The Lorax, a powerful, witty and important story for all generations," said Children's Theatre Company Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius. "We are excited to welcome the London production's creative team to Minneapolis, and delighted that after our production the fabulous cast of Minnesota actors will all travel to The Old Globe in San Diego. Our partnership with The Old Globe and The Old Vic further advances our mission of reaching multigenerational audiences both in our state and across this country with extraordinary theatrical productions."

"Having Dr. Seuss's The Lorax at The Old Globe is exciting in a slew of ways, but two stand out," said Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein. "First, the story itself is charming, fun, and timely, and this theatrical adaptation of it is just a thrill to watch. It's a sophisticated, grown-up telling of a masterful tale for young people, a charming and winning piece of theatre that truly offers something for everyone. The second wonderful thing about The Lorax in our season is that it continues our relationship with San Diego's own Dr. Seuss. This relationship spans two decades in which the Grinch has brought his unique wit and heart to our audiences. Now The Lorax joins him as a member of the Globe family. I can't wait."

The silky soft tufts of the Truffula Trees are the perfect stuffs to knit the perfect Thneeds. But the first chop, chop of the perilous ax begins the powerful tale of The Lorax. When the last tree of the forest falls, was it worth losing paradise for nothing at all? The most beloved environmental tale of all time, The Lorax will have you singing in Seussian rhyme.

The Minneapolis production is proudly sponsored by U.S. Bank, Land O'Lakes, Inc. and Piper Jaffray. Dr. Seuss's The Lorax begins April 15 and runs throughJune 10, 2018, on the UnitedHealth Group Stage and is recommended for all ages. Tickets can be purchased at childrenstheatre.org or by calling the ticket office at 612.874.0400.

About Children's Theatre Company

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is the nation's largest and most acclaimed theatre for multigenerational audiences. It creates theatre experiences that educate, challenge, and inspire for nearly 275,000 people annually. CTC is the only theatre focused on young audiences to win the coveted Tony Award® for Outstanding Regional Theatre and is the only theatre in Minnesota to receive three Tony® nominations (for its production of A Year with Frog and Toad). CTC is committed to producing world class productions at the highest level and to developing new works, more than 200 to date, dramatically changing the canon of work for young audiences.

CTC's engagement and learning programs annually serve more than 85,000 students ages 2-18 through Theatre Arts Training, student matinees, Bridges, and early childhood arts education programs that bring students to the theatre and bring teaching artists into the classroom. The ACT One program is CTC's comprehensive platform for access, diversity and inclusion in our audiences, programs, staff, and board that strives to ensure the theatre is a home for all people, all families, reflective of our community. childrenstheatre.org

About The Old Globe

The Tony® Award-winning Old Globe is one of the country's leading professional regional theatres and has stood as San Diego's flagship arts institution for over 80 years. Under the leadership of Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein, The Old Globe produces a year-round season of 15 productions of classic, contemporary, and new works on its three Balboa Park stages: the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the 600-seat Old Globe Theatre and the 250-seat Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, both part of The Old Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, and the 605-seat outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, home of its internationally renowned Shakespeare Festival. More than 250,000 people attend Globe productions annually and participate in the theatre's artistic and arts engagement programs. Numerous world premieres such as the 2014 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Bright Star,Allegiance, The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and the annual holiday musical Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! have been developed at The Old Globe and have gone on to enjoy highly successful runs on Broadway and at regional theatres across the country.

About The Old Vic

The Old Vic is London's independent not-for-profit theatre, creating world-class entertainment. Through our eclectic and adventurous work on stage, projects with young people, employability programmes, digital outreach, all-day café and late night cocktail bar, The Old Vic under Artistic Director Matthew Warchus is an exciting and inviting place to be. We trade in creative imagination. It is the commodity that will be most prized tomorrow and the reason why The Old Vic is as vital today as it was in 1818 when it first opened its doors.

About Dr. Seuss

Theodor "Seuss" Geisel is quite simply the most beloved children's book author of all time. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1984, three Academy Awards, two Emmy Awards, three Grammy Awards, and three Caldecott Honors, Geisel wrote and illustrated 45 books for children. Hundreds of millions of copies have found their way into homes and hearts around the world. While Theodor Geisel died on September 24, 1991, Dr. Seuss lives on, inspiring generations of children of all ages to explore the joys of reading. For more information about Dr. Seuss and his works, visit Seussville.com.

Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P.

The primary focus of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. is to protect the integrity of the Dr. Seuss books while expanding beyond books into ancillary areas. This effort is a strategic part of the overall mission to nurture and safeguard the relationship people have with Dr. Seuss characters. Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss) said he never wanted to license his characters to anyone who would "round out the edges." That is one of the guiding philosophies of Dr. Seuss Enterprises.

Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan

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