Gruber & Coulombe's Musical Adaptation of I LOVE YOU, STINKY FACE Premieres at STC Today

Stages Theatre Company (STC) presents the world premiere musical I LOVE YOU, STINKY FACE, directed by Nikki Swoboda. This heart-warming new musical is based on the children's book by Lisa McCourt, adapted and lyrics by Jeannine Coulombe, with music by Michael Gruber.

This new production will have you hugging your loved ones a little tighter and laughing with glee as the imaginative child snuggles onto our main stage! Before drifting off to dream land, the ever-inventive child has a few outrageous questions, but the devoted mother replies to each and every one with wit and love. Come follow this delightful tale through the heart of imagination. It will have you believing in Green Aliens from Mars, Super Stinky Skunks, and even Droopy-Eyed Cyclops.

The talented cast of local youth performers includes: Logan Baker, Taylor Breimhorst, Carley Clover, Lucy Daniels, Sophie Farrell, Natalie Rene Harrison, Gabi Jones, William Maus, Liliana McQueen, Abbie Sluka, Clea Gaïtas Sur, and Adeline Wendt, along with local adult actress Lindsay Odegaard.

Gruber is an accomplished composer, actor and author. Having appeared in over 9 Broadway shows, including: A Chorus Line, Jackie Mason's Laughing Room Only, Swing!, Kiss Me, Kate, My Favorite Year, Miss Saigon and Cats and is a founding member and resident composer of The Catalysts Theater Co. Read a Q&A with Mr Gruber.

Coulombe is a Minnesota native, playwright and theatre artist. In addition to playwriting, Ms. Coulombe is a founding member of the Workhaus Playwrights Collective in Minneapolis. She was also a founding member of the Twin Cities' company Theatre Unbound. Currently, she is the Manager of New Play Development at Stages Theatre Company. In addition to playwriting, she works as a director and dramaturg.

The entire creative team for I LOVE YOU, STINKY FACE includes: Artistic Director - Sandy Boren-Barrett; Director & Choreographer - Nikki Swoboda; Playwright & Lyricist - Jeannine Coulombe, Composer - Michael Gruber; Stage Managers - Emilia Allen and Becca Buntjer; Lighting Designer - Wu Chen Khoo; Tech Director - Gretchen Katt; Costume & Make-Up Designer - Amy Kaufman; Music Sequencing - Shirley Mier; Music Director - JC Lippold; Production Manager - Melanie Salmon-Peterson; Props Designer - Megan Teynor and Set Designer - Tiffany Fier.

For more information, visit www.stagestheatre.org/upcoming-shows/i-love-you-stinky-face.

I LOVE YOU, STINKY FACE opens Friday, April 15th and runs through Sunday, May 15th, and is for all ages. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.stagestheatre.org for performance dates and times, or by calling 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. Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more. Call (952) 979-1119 or email group sales at groupsales@stagestheatre.org for more information and reservations.

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 130,000 young people and their families.

Based on the Book, I LOVE YOU, STINKY FACE. Written by Lisa McCourt. Illustrated by Cyd Moore. Text copyright © 1997 by Lisa McCourt. Illustrations copyright © 1997 by Cyd Moore. "I LOVE YOU, STINKY FACE" is presented by special arrangement with Scholastic Inc.

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