Children’s Theatre Company’s Announces its 47th Season

In a season set to celebrate "wonder," two world premiere productions, several classic tales, one larger-than-life swashbuckling pirate tale and the American premiere of The National Theatre of Great Britain's production of Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat, Children's Theatre Company (CTC) today announces its 2012-2013 season. Among the selections are: Buccaneers!, Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat, Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, The Biggest Little House in the Forest, Jackie and Me, and a beloved holiday classic, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

"We're so proud to be presenting the world premiere productions of Buccaneers! and Pinocchio: because expanding the canon of new work for young audiences is so crucial," says Peter C. Brosius, artistic director at CTC. "We're also thrilled to be re-introducing works for our youngest audiences by bringing back The Biggest Little House in the Forest. And, our 2012-2013 season could not be complete without revisiting our special relationship with Dr. Seuss' inspiring and hilarious work."

Buccaneers!
Sept. 11 – Oct. 21, 2012
Written by Liz Duffy Adams
Music by Ellen Maddow
Directed by Peter C. Brosius
Grades 3+

World Premiere

When her parents threaten to send her to live with her horrible relatives, Enid Arabella wishes she could run away and sail the seven seas. But, when she is captured by the pirate rapscallion Johnny Johné, Enid must summon her wit and gumption to save herself and the rest of the children of Johné's crew. This rousing world premiere pirate musical is an inspiring tale of empowerment and leadership-with plenty of swashbuckling to boot. Written by playwright Liz Duffy Adams, with a score written by Ellen Maddow and drawn from sea shanties and music from around the world, director Peter C. Brosius helms this mighty production.

Enid Arabella is a 12-year old girl, whose family has fallen on hard times. "This is a young girl with a big imagination," says Brosius. "She's a young girl who is able to find her strength and lead her shipmates, battling the 'most-feared-dreaded majesty Johnny Johné, the king of the pirates who capture her." A world Ppremiere production, Buccaneers! will be seen for the very first-time on CTC's stage and will star local actor, Bradley Greenwald, who has appeared in numerous CTC productions including Bert & Ernie, Goodnight!, The Wizard of Oz and Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas throughout the years.

Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat
Sept. 25 – Dec. 2, 2012
Based on the book The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
Play originally produced by The National Theatre of Great Britain
Adapted and originally directed by Katie Mitchell
Directed by Jason Ballweber
Grades Pre-K+

American Premiere

From the moment his tall, red-and-white-striped hat appears around the door, Sally and her brother know that the Cat in the Hat is the most mischievous cat they have ever met. With the trickiest of tricks and craziest of ideas, he is certainly fun to play with-and he can turn a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure. But, when the Cat releases Thing One and Thing Two from his box of tricks, havoc ensues, leaving the children to wonder whatever to do! Originally produced at The National Theatre of Great Britain, CTC presents the American premiere of this stylish production. All of your favorite moments from the classic book by Dr. Seuss come to life on stage.

Set in the Cargill stage, this is the American premiere of Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat originally produced by The National Theatre of Great Britain. Directed by Jason Ballweber, Artistic Director for Four Humors theatre and a featured actor who played General Washington in CTC's Mercy Watson to the Rescue!, this production offers a clean, crisp aesthetic – perfectly suited for illustrating the physical comedy genius of Resident Acting Company members Dean Holt (the Cat) and Gerald Drake (Puppeteer).

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Nov. 6 – Dec. 30, 2012
Based on the book How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Book and Lyrics by Timothy Mason
Music by Mel Marvin
Directed by Peter Brosius
Grades Pre-K+

The Whos down in Whoville are happily preparing for their winter holiday, when the Grinch-that fuming, riled-up, blustery grump-becomes bent on making Whoville's Christmas history. Bringing back one of Dr. Seuss' most beloved works, this full-blown musical event illuminates the lengths this holiday-hating beast will go to dampen the spirits of Whoville, before learning the things that matter most can't be wrapped in a box or tied with a bow. Peter C. Brosius directs this seasonal favorite, offering a rare chance to see: did the Grinch's heart grow three sizes that day?

When this very special holiday tradition began, Dr. Seuss, himself, was involved in the development.
CTC premiered Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas in 1994, and just as the Grinch's heart grows three times its original size, CTC's production becomes more magnificent with each staging. "This is a large, epic production – a wonderful musical of spectacle and heart," says Brosius. In the 2012-2013 season, Brosius will direct this beloved production for the very first time.

Pinocchio
Jan. 15 – Feb. 24, 2013
By Carlo Collodi
Adapted and directed by Greg Banks
Grades K+

World Premiere

From the moment Geppetto creates him from a stick of wood, Pinocchio dreams of being a real boy. But, will the all-too-tempting delights of puppet shows and Playland be too much for Pinocchio? When Geppetto is swallowed by a whale, it is up to this little puppet to show his courage and prove his love for his papa is real. Greg Banks adapts and directs a new, fast-paced, full-of-life version of this classic tale, in which a cast of four incredible performers will bring this production to life.

Back for the eighth time, the IVEY Award-winning director Greg Banks is slated to direct Pinocchio on the UnitedHealth Group stage. Banks previously directed the critically acclaimed promenade-style production of Romeo & Juliet, which enveloped audience members into the action, engaging them directly into the performance. He also directed the high-powered and action-packed production of Robin Hood, staged by a small-but mighty--
cast of four and last year's A Wrinkle in Time. Other U.S. work for Banks includes Antigone and Huck Finn (at CTC) as well as productions for Seattle Children's Theatre Company and The New Victory Theater on Broadway.

Jackie and Me
March 12 – April 14, 2013
By Steven Dietz
Adapted from the book by Dan Gutman
Directed by Marion McClinton
Grades 3+

Joe Stocack may not be the best baseball player on his Little League team but he does have one unparalleled advantage: with the help of the old baseball cards in his prized collection, Jim has the remarkable ability to time travel! When he's given an assignment: to write a school report about a famous African American, Joe travels back in time to meet one of the greatest baseball players ever-Jackie Robinson-and learns what it was like for the man who endured more than his share of prejudice to break baseball's color barrier. Joe plans to write a prize-winning report but never expects a temporary change in the color of his skin will forever change his view of history and courage.

This time-travel odyssey is based on Dan Gutman's Jackie and Me and will be directed by Marion McClinton. McClinton, who has directed August Wilson's productions on Broadway and regionally, has had his work as a director recognized by way of a Tony Award nomination for King Hedley II and a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Director for Jitney. He is also the 2000 winner of the Vivian Robinson Audelco Black Theatre Award.

Alice in Wonderland
April 30 – June 15, 2013
Story by Lewis Carroll
Adapted for the stage by Sharon Holland
Directed by Peter Brosius
Grades K+

This classic tale of rabbit holes and wonder has been loved by generations, and next season, CTC brings it back to our UnitedHealth Group stage for a fully re-imagined production, directed by Peter C. Brosius. From the Mad Hatter's tea party to the Cheshire grin, Alice's adventures in Wonderland are unique, captivating and, in Alice's own words, curiouser and curiouser! Lewis Carroll's classic will come to life with all the magic, mystery and mischief of the original novel.

Directing this production for the first time, Brosius promises this will not be a passive, Victorian approach to the classic tale. "Alice is a play of vivid language, amazing characters and wonderfully mad situations," says Brosius. "It will celebrate the comic genius of our CTC Company members. I just can't wait to see what happens when Lewis Carroll's characters and our Company come together. It's going to be a wild and hilarious ride."

The Biggest Little House in the Forest
January 24 – March 17, 2013
Adapted by Rosanna Staffa
Based on the book by Djemma Bider
Directed by Peter Brosius
Toddlers+

When Bernice the Butterfly finds an abandoned house in the woods, she sets out to make it her home. Soon she is joined by Millie the Mouse, Fred the Frog, Richie the Rabbit and lovable Bartholomew, the Bear. Everyone is welcome, and there's always enough room for a new friend in this heartwarming tale, told by one amazing actor with delightful puppets.

And, last but certainly not the least, we are thrilled to re-introduce our preschool and early elementary school programming, bringing the charming story of Bernice the Butterfly and all of the woodland creatures who live in The Biggest Little House in the Forest back to CTC for the second time. Company member Autumn Ness masterfully directs a menagerie of puppets designed by scenic and puppet designer Eric Van Wyk, delighting the youngest audiences with bubbles and mischievous little pillow fights that send brightly colored feathers into their laps.

Children's Theatre Company will present this entertaining line up of productions for youth audiences. We encourage patrons to purchase subscriptions to ensure the most flexible scheduling and greatest savings. Subscription packages are on sale now. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact CTC's box office at 612.874.0400 or visit www.childrenstheatre.org.

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.

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