THE HOBBIT, CRENSHAW, MADAGASCAR - A MUSICAL ADVENTURE JR. and More Set for Stages Theatre Company's 2017-18 Season

As Stages Theatre Company (STC) unveils our 34th season, we continue our commitment providing high-quality, accessible theatre for young audiences. Join us as we journey into the heart of imagination, which serves as a canvas for you and your community to explore the world.

Our season is based on award-winning, and much loved stories - some you already know, some that have stood the test of time, and others we are proud to introduce to you. These imaginative stories show how true beauty comes from discovering what brings us together and not on what tears us apart. Powerful stories that prove how the human spirit delights in what we share rather than what makes us different.

"The joy WE discover in selecting and creating these beautiful miracles of the imagination is rivalled only by the satisfaction of bringing them to life in the presence of all of you-our audience," states Artistic Director, Sandy Boren-Barrett. "After all, the true beauty of a story is in the imaginative telling and sharing of it with others."

Here at Stages Theatre Company, it is through the hearts of the young people we serve, that we find the world we are inspired to live in. We want our young people to find a world where dreams become a reality, where thinking "outside the box" is not only encouraged, but rewarded and where doing the right thing for a friend reaps the benefits of lifelong love. We want to create a world where greatness is measured by the strength in spirit and by how much you give, not by how much you get. Through the stories we bring to life we are creating a world full of goodness, understanding, make-believe and comfort.

---

2017-18 Season:

THE HOBBIT

September 22 - October 22, 2017

Based on the work "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien. Adapted by Edward Mast.

Produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.

*Recommended for ages 7 and up

Celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the publication of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic fantasy novel! Travel with us as we magically transform our main stage into the world of Middle Earth and follow the tale of Bilbo Baggins' unexpected journey with the legendary wizard Gandalf, Master Thorin Oakenshield and a band of ragged dwarfs. This captivating 60-minute version is a ticket for adventure into the heart of imagination!

SPOOKLEY THE SQUARE PUMPKIN

September 29 - October 29, 2017

Stage play by Joe Troiano. Based on the film "Spookley the Square Pumpkin" by Joe Troiano and Tom Hughes and the book "The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin" by Joe Troiano. Lyrics by Joe Troiano. Music composed and arranged by Jeffrey Zahn. © Holiday Hill Enterprises, LLC

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

All Ages

Catch it again or for the first time! Spookley the Square Pumpkin sprouts back into our Hopkins Jaycees Studio for an encore performance this autumn! When Spookley arrives in the pumpkin patch he is teased by all the other pumpkins because of his odd shape. Even after his new friends-the boisterous spiders Edgar, Allen and Poe-try to convince him to run for the Pick of the Patch contest, Spookley still isn't sure he has what it takes. However, a threatening storm may just give Spookley the inspiration to discover his own worth. This imaginative puppetry extravaganza filled with memorable music will surely encourage you to "dare to be square!"

Stages Theatre Company's Production of DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR.

November 17 - December 28, 2017

Music by Alan Menken. Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice. Book by Linda Woolverton.

Originally Directed by Robert Jess Roth. Originally Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions.

All Ages

Join us this holiday season for a "tale as old as time!" The fantastical story of transformation and true inner beauty enchants our main stage this December with some of the most popular songs ever written. Based on the original Tony Award nominated Broadway production and the Academy Award-winning motion picture, this classic story of Belle and the Beast who must learn to love and be loved will fill your heart and stir your imagination throughout the holidays. We invite your whole family to "be our guest" to share in celebrating the love and joy of this timeless tale.

Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI.) All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com

Leo Lionni's FREDERICK

January 19 - February 19, 2018

Adapted by Suzanne Maynard Miller.

Music and lyrics by Sarah Durkee and Paul Jacobs.

All Ages

Cozy in this winter for the heartwarming story of Frederick as he shows us that everyone has something special to give to the world. While other mice are gathering food for the winter, Frederick Daydreams the summer away. When the cold weather sets in, however, it is Frederick who has stored up something significant to survive the long, blustery winter. The Caldecott winning book by beloved author Leo Lionni has been charming readers for 50 years. Now, this award-winning adaptation, featuring a roots-flavored country and folk-infused score, will delight the heart and tickle the imagination.

Produced by special arrangement with DRAMATIC PUBLISHING, Woodstock, Illinois.

THE NIGHTINGALE - World Premiere!

March 9 - 25, 2018

A dance-inspired original performance based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen.

All Ages

This fairy tale classic by Hans Christian Andersen dances onto our main stage this March. The Emperor's nightingale sings more beautifully than any other creature in the kingdom, but is suddenly replaced by a bejeweled mechanical bird that proves to be more predictable. When the mechanical bird eventually breaks down and the Emperor is taken ill, however, the real nightingale returns to restore the Emperor's life through its uncompromisingly beautiful song. The story about the power of real beauty to stir the heart is told through original music and dance. It continues our popular collaboration with Escalate Dance that brought you Owl Moon, Twelve Dancing Princesses, The Snow Queen and The Velveteen Rabbit.

WHOEVER YOU ARE - World Premiere!

April 20 - May 20, 2018

by Mem Fox. Illustrated by Leslie Staub.

An original music and dance collaboration based on the book by beloved author Mem Fox.

All Ages

The classic folktale of the feared strangers who inspire a whole community through the use of one little stone charms its way onto our main stage this spring in a world premiere musical. When war-weary foreigners arrive in the village square, fear and suspicion reign. But as the outsiders start to make soup out of a stone, each of the locals is prompted to contribute to the ever-growing, communal meal. Come share this ageless story with us as it serves up a delightfully poignant reminder that community is built one ingredient at a time.

Whoever You Are by Mem Fox is produced with permission of the author.

CRENSHAW - World-Premiere Exclusive!

April 27 - May 19, 2018

Based on the book by Katherine Applegate

Copyright © 2015 by Katherine Applegate

Ages 8 and up

This magically engaging story, proving that family, friendship and resilience are found in the heart of the imagination, will grace our JC Studio in May. Crenshaw is a cat. He's large, he's outspoken, and...he's imaginary. This unforgettable creature comes into 10 year old Jackson's life to help him and his family as they fall on hard times and may have to live in their minivan...again. But is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything? This world premiere adaptation, based on the touching book by the Newbery Medal-winning author of The One and Only Ivan, confirms that friends matter-whether real or imaginary.

Stages Theatre Company's Production of DREAMWORKS MADAGASCAR - A MUSICAL ADVENTURE JR. - Regional Premiere

June 29 - August 5, 2018

Based on the Dreamworks Animation Motion Picture.

Book by Kevin Del Aguila. Original Music and Lyric by Geaorge Noriega & Joel Someillan

All Ages

Come "Move it, Move it" with us this summer as Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the Hippo and, of course, those uproariously plotting penguins enter our stage in the musical adventure of Madagascar, Jr. Not content to live in blissful captivity, Marty lets his curiosity takeover as he makes his escape to explore the world. His friends and some unusual penguins will not be left behind as they all embark on an unforgettable voyage.

Madagascar Jr. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com

Theatre for the Very Young

ON THE RAILROAD - World Premiere Exclusive!

August 3 - 26, 2018

Ages 0 - 4 years

Choo-choo! All aboard! Hop on the train as our Theatre for the Very Young series continues this season with an original, company created adventure for our youngest audiences on everything to do with trains and railroads. "I've been working on the railroad..." will sing on down the track as we explore this immersive environment full of story, music and wonder. Don't be left standing on the platform as this one-of-a-kind experience leaves from the station to the very heart of a child's imagination!

---

Season tickets go on sale TUESDAY, MARCH 14 AT 12 NOON! Individual tickets go on sale TUESDAY, MARCH 21 AT 12 NOON. To purchase season tickets and individuals tickets, please go online to www.stagestheatre.org or call the Box Office at (952) 979-1111, option 4, Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 6:00 pm.

Group pricing is available for groups of 10 or more to all productions. Reservations are available by calling our Group Sales Manager at (952) 979-1119.

Ticket prices for the 2017-2018 season are: $16 for adults; $14 for children/students (ages 4-17) and seniors (60+); with lap passes available for free (ages 0-2) and $5 (ages 3-4).

Disney's Beauty and the Beast pricing: $25 for adults, $21 for seniors (60+) $18 for children/students (ages 4-17) with lap passes available for free (ages 0-2) and $5 (ages 3-4). On the Railroad pricing: All tickets are $10 for ages 1 and up, with free lap passes available for ages 0-1.

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.

To post a comment, you must register and login.