Nashville Children's Theatre Reveals 2019-20 Season Offerings

Nashville Children's Theatre (NCT) this week revealed its 2019-20 season replete with rock and roll, history, holiday magic, current events, interactivity, musicals, classics and more.

NCT, the nation's oldest professional theatre for young audiences and the largest theatre in Tennessee will perform seven shows during its 2019-20 season, including both world and regional premieres.

"From places as magical as the North Pole to as familiar as their own backyards, the characters in the new season's selections take action," says Ernie Nolan, NCT executive artistic director.

"They find themselves at crossroads and grapple with issues both personal and public. After witnessing our heroes make bold choices, I'm hoping our audiences, both young and adult, will be inspired to take a stand and likewise be brave enough to act on what they believe in. NCT has 'taken action' and is producing four brand new productions that Nashville audiences will be the first to see!"

Included in NCT's 2019-20 season:

The Itsy Bitsy Spider - a Snuggery performance (August 10-September 22, 2019)

By Ernie Nolan: The itsy-bitsy spider climbed up the water spout...but what happened next? Follow two green thumbed gardeners as they learn patience and perseverance from a determined eight-legged hero. A favorite childhood song comes to life in this interactive, immersive theatrical experience especially designed for the youngest of theatre goers!

Return to Sender - a world premiere Hatchery production (October 10-27, 2019)

Based on the novel by Julia Alvarez and adapted by Marisela Treviño Orta: The family of 11-year-old Tyler has farmed for generations. Eleven-year-old Mari is the Mexican born daughter of undocumented migrant workers. When Mari's family is hired to help save Tyler's family's farm from foreclosure, both of the young people are forced to confront the complexities of immigration and citizenship. Co-Commissioned by NCT and the Center for Latin American Studies at Vanderbilt, this story is a powerful reminder of how young people can reach hands across cultural differences and find understanding.

Auntie Claus - a world premiere Hatchery production (November 14-December 29, 2019)

Book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler and music by Zina Goldrich, adapted from the book by Elise Primavera ©1999 in arrangement with the author: There's something mysterioso about Sophie Kringle's glamorous great aunt. She serves Christmas cookies at teatime, even in July and there's always that secretive "business trip" every year around the holidays. Determined to get to the bottom of Auntie Claus' eccentric ways, Sophie embarks on an adventure that leads straight to the heart of the holidays. This world premiere musical was commissioned for Nashville audiences and is a holiday event for the whole family.

Secret Soldiers: Civil War Heroines in Disguise - Nashville Premiere (January 16-February 3, 2020)

By Wendy Lement: While the Civil War rages outside the walls of the Marine U.S.A. General Hospital, another conflict arises inside. A nurse has discovered that injured Private Lyons Wakeman is actually Sarah Wakeman, a woman! Should the hospital registry be changed creating proof that women can fight in battle? Or should it stay intact so Sarah can receive her earned pension and her family avoid shame? This play is based on over 250 military accounts of women who fought as Union soldiers. At each interactive performance the audience will hear testimony from historical characters like Harriet Tubman and members of the first African American regiment, act as jury, and deliver the verdict of Private Lyons' fate.

Hans Christian Anderson - World Premiere (February 20-March 15, 2020)

Music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, with additional lyrics and book by Timothy Allen McDonald: 13-year-old Christian Andersen is the first commoner ever chosen by the King of Denmark to study at the Royal Academy, but he isn't sure he wants to go. However, royal students have shoes without holes in them...and books; Christian can't even afford paper. Plus, his new teacher is rumored to be meaner than a sea witch. Based on the real life of Hans Christian Andersen, this world premiere musical, featuring a score by legendary Broadway composer Frank Loesser and an original libretto by Timothy Allen McDonald, follows Hans' journey from poor storyteller to one of the most celebrated writers of all time.

The Teddy Bears' Picnic - Nashville premiere Snuggery performance (March 7-April 19, 2020)

By Ernie Nolan: Mama and Buddy Bear invite you and your "young'un" to a unique theatrical experience! Be placed in an intimate and magical playground where everyone is part of the action at The Teddy Bears' Picnic. When complications arise with Mama's Special Surprise, the Bear Family sets off on a plan, with the audience's assistance, to make all that is wrong right again. Join them in the festivities as they prepare to dine, dance The Teddy Bear, and deliver an unforgettable day!

Pete the Cat - Nashville Premiere (April 9-May 17, 2020)

Book and lyrics by Sarah Hammond and music by Will Aronson, based on the Pete the Cat series of books by Kimberly and James Dean: When Pete the Cat gets caught rocking out after bedtime, he's sent to live with the Biddle family to learn his manners. He gets the whole family rocking except for young Jimmy Biddle, the most organized second grader on planet earth. When Jimmy draws a blank in art class, however, Pete is the perfect friend to help him out! Together, they set out to help Jimmy conquer second grade art, and they learn a little something new about inspiration. Join Jimmy and Pete on an adventure of friendship, all the way to Paris and back in a VW Bus!

2019-20 SEASON MEMBERSHIPS NCT offers two different Season Memberships. Both Memberships go on sale April 5, and can be purchased online at NashvilleCT.org or by calling NCT's box office at (615) 252-4675, Tuesday through Friday 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Current NCT members (for this 2018-19 season) can renew their membership at discounted prices from March 5-April 4, 2019. Current members must call NCT's box office at (615) 252-4675 to renew. The box office is open Tuesday through Friday 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 2019-20 Memberships allow families to save money on tickets while also gaining special benefits. Membership sales cease on December 29, 2019.

Diamond Memberships are $209 per person and include: 12 tickets to use anytime in the season - for youth or adult; Freedom to purchase additional individual tickets at $17 apiece throughout the 2019-20 season; Family memories for a lifetime; Six coupons for friends to buy a ticket at 20% off; Priority registration for The NCT Drama School, plus 10% off tuition; Ability to reserve specific seats and performance dates before the general public can begin buying tickets on June 5, 2020; Free ticket exchanges (a $5 per exchange charge for non-members). Perks for Diamond Members Only: 20% off NCT branded merchandise and Ability to purchase additional tickets to see Pete the Cat for only $15

Sapphire Membership are $179 per person and include: 10 tickets to use anytime in the season - for youth or adult; Freedom to purchase additional individual tickets at $17 apiece throughout the 2019-20 season; Family memories for a lifetime; Four coupons for friends to buy a ticket at 15% off; Priority registration for The NCT Drama School, plus 10% off tuition; Ability to reserve specific seats and performance dates before the general public can begin buying tickets on June 5, 2020 and Free ticket exchanges (a $5 per exchange charge for non-members)

ABOUT THE SNUGGERY - Theatre for the Very Young NCT introduced The Snuggery during the 2018-19 season, and received a tremendously popular response! Last season's demand to see Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star was so overwhelming, that NCT will offer two Snuggery titles in 2019-20 to meet demand. Buying Snuggery tickets early is highly recommended!

The Itsy Bitsy Spider: August 10-September 22, 2019

The Teddy Bears' Picnic: March 7-April 19, 2020

The Snuggery, NCT's professional performance series for children 0-5 and their grown-ups, is especially designed to overcome age, language, and developmental barriers. Inside the Copeland Studio, where Snuggery shows are performed, small audiences experience an immersive environment, allowing the young children to feel comfortable and literally engage in the story. During Snuggery performances a privacy suite with comfy chairs and a changing table is available to nursing moms. Plus, adults can enjoy complimentary coffee donated by Bongo Java.

ABOUT THE HATCHERY - NCT's New Works Incubator NCT is committed to contributing new and invigorating plays to the world of Theatre for Young Audiences, and is also committed to promoting the voices of artists who undeservedly are often overlooked. The Hatchery serves both of these goals. The inaugural script created from NCT's Hatchery was 2018-19 season's Ghost by playwright Idris Goodwin, based on Jason Reynold's popular book, Ghost. The play was met with popular and critical acclaim and will be produced by a number of theatres across the country next season and beyond.

The Hatchery is perpetually in multiple stages of development. During NCT's upcoming 2019-20 season two scripts will reach completion and appear on NCT's stage - Return to Sender and Auntie Claus. Keeping scripts progressing through the Hatchery process ensures NCT will always remain a relevant and open artistic organization for both local and worldwide communities.

2019-20 SINGLE TICKETS Single tickets for all shows in NCT's 2019-20 season go on sale June 5, 2020. Hill Theatre single tickets (all shows except Snuggery shows): Youth: $17; Adult: $23; Senior/Educator/Military: $19. Snuggery single tickets (The Itsy Bitsy Spider and The Teddy Bears' Picnic): Tickets are $12 per person for any age child or adult. Beginning June 5, 2020, single tickets can be purchased online at NashvilleCT.org or by calling NCT's box office at (615)252-4675, Tuesday through Friday 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Thanks to funding from the Metro Nashville Arts Commission, the Tennessee Arts Commission, the Memorial Foundation, the Shubert Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the support of many local individuals and organizations, NCT will continue to ensure that all audiences can experience the theatre through physical accessibility, sensory friendly and sign-interpreted performances, and a financial assistance program for students and families.

About Nashville Children's Theatre Nashville Children's Theatre is a professional theatre company providing the children, families, and educators of Middle Tennessee with extraordinary shared theatrical experiences that inspire imagination, develop creativity, and build community. NCT was founded in 1931 by the Junior League of Nashville and is recognized as the oldest professional children's theater in the country. A national leader in professional theater arts and education programs for young people, NCT is ranked by TIME magazine as one of the top five children's theaters in the country.

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