The Growing Stage Announces 37th Main Stage Season
By: Stephi Wild Aug. 15, 2018
The Growing Stage - The Children's Theatre of New Jersey, located in the Historic Palace Theatre on Route 183 in Netcong, New Jersey presents its 2018 - 2019 Main Stage Season:
THE WIZARD OF OZOctober 5-28
By L. Frank Baum
With Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg
Background Music by Herbert Stothart
Dance and Vocal Arrangements by Peter Howard
Orchestration by Larry Wilcox
Adapted by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company
Based upon the Classic Motion Picture owned by Turner Entertainment Co. and distributed in all media by Warner Bros.
Special Opening Night Performance, Friday, October 5th at 7:30PM
Other Performances: Saturdays and Sundays at 4:00PM
Dorothy Gale, a young girl living on a Kansas farm with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, dreams of escaping her mundane life. Suddenly a cyclone hits, and Dorothy and Toto, seeking shelter in the house, are transported to the Land of Oz. Dorothy's house has landed upon - and fatally stricken - the Wicked Witch of the East. The Munchkins, now freed from the Wicked Witch of the East, celebrate and hail Dorothy as their new heroine. The celebration is interrupted as the Wicked Witch of the West suddenly appears, seeking vengeance. Unable to reclaim her sister's Ruby Slippers, which are now on Dorothy's feet, the Witch vows to return and disappears in a cloud of smoke. Dorothy, seeking a way back home to Kansas, sets off to see the Wizard of Oz and her classic adventure begins.
BABES IN TOYLAND
November 23 - December 16
Adaptation Conceived by Perry Arthur Kroeger & Stephen L. Fredericks
Book by Perry Arthur Kroeger
Music by Victor Herbert
Lyrics by Glen MacDonough & Perry Arthur Kroeger
Inspired by the 1934 MGM Film presented by Hal Roach
Special Opening Night Performance, Friday, November 23rd at 7:30PM
Other Performances: Saturdays and Sundays at 4:00PM
Something is amiss in the Land of Make Believe. Barnaby is threatening Mother Goose with eviction unless her daughter, Bo Peep, marries him. One of the Three Little Pigs is missing and on top of that, even Christmas is in doubt! Who could possibly save the day? Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum? No, really, who could possible save the day? Our original TGS adaptation is based loosely on the Victor Herbert operetta and the Laurel & Hardy classic film.
John Henry*
February 8-10
Book by Elise Forier Edie
Laurie Award winner from the 2017 The Growing Stage's New Play Reading Festival
Special Opening Night Performance, Friday, February 8th at 7:30PM
Other Performances: Saturday and Sunday at 4:00PM
Based on the traditional American folk-ballad about the "steel driving man," John Henry blends music, history and storytelling to tell the tale of the first African American folk-hero. Young Jayjay and his best friend Grace are the children of railroad workers, and live in a camp in the Allegheny Mountains, just after the Civil War. When their fathers' jobs are threatened by the invention of a steam drill, Jayjay's dad challenges it, by proposing a race though the mountain, to prove a man can work better and faster than a machine. The race is on, but when John Henry's conquest ends in sudden tragedy, Jayjay must find a way to honor his father's legacy, while still being true to himself. Despite setbacks, and with the help of his friends and family, he finds a way to go forward, and to take is place in the burgeoning, industrial world.
A BETTER PLACE TO BE
February 15-17
Book by Stephen L. Fredericks
Special Opening Night Performance, Friday, February 15th at 7:30PM
Other Performances: Saturday and Sunday at 4:00PM
An original piece commissioned by the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance's Stage Exchange program, A BETTER PLACE TO BE brings together the immigration journeys of two young women. First that of TGS Founder and Executive Director Stephen L. Fredericks great-grandmothers voyage to America in the late 1800's and that of a young Syrian girl coming today. Weaving poetry, music and folktales from each time and place, the play celebrates our similarities and opens the door for a better appreciation for our differences.
CURIOUS GEORGE & THE GOLDEN MEATBALL*
March 3-19
Music by John Kavanaugh
Book & Lyrics by Jeremy Desmon
Special Opening Night Performance, Friday, March 3rd at 7:30PM
Other Performances: Saturdays and Sundays at 4:00PM
Join Curious George, the inquisitive, lovable monkey-star of books, movies and the award-winning PBS television show in a brand new musical. Curious George: The Golden Meatball TYA is a loveable adventure, specifically designed for young audiences, that is sure to leave them singing and swinging down the aisles. All You-Can-Eat Meatball Day comes just once a year. George has been waiting all month for that day, a day almost bigger than his birthday! On Meatball Day, George helps his friend, Chef Pisghetti, cook some delicious meatballs and serve them to the hungry crowd. But this year, the crowd had vanished! Something is keeping people away... something pretty big. And that something is Phinneas T. Lightspeed and his speedy Meatballs-o-Matic machine. In despair, Chef Pisghetti vows to cook no more. Determined to help his friend, George goes on a mission to enter the Chef's meatballs in the world-famous Golden Meatball Contest in Rome!
MR. POPPER'S PENGUINS*
May 3-19
Book by Robert Kauzlaric
Music and Lyrics by George Howe
Based on the Novel by Richard and Florence Atwater
Special Opening Night Performance, Friday, May 3rd at 7:30PM
Other Performances: Saturdays and Sundays at 4:00PM
Money is tight and times are tough in the town of Stillwater. With no houses to paint till next spring, Mr. Popper is stuck at home daydreaming of Arctic adventures, while Mrs. Popper must scrimp and save just to put beans on the table. But with the unexpected arrival of a spirited penguin named Captain Cook, a new horizon opens before them and before long the Poppers have a snowdrift in the living room and a dozen delightful penguins living in the house. With an ever-increasing bill for canned shrimp, what can the wonderfully imaginative Poppers do but train the penguins and take the show on the road! It's a flipper-flapping musical tale that will make you believe in the power of ingenuity and determination.
* Main Stage Matinees (Available for School Performances)
Season Memberships are currently on sale. Purchase a membership today that allows you to have the LOWEST per ticket price, the ONLY reserved seating at the theatre plus flexible booking and so much more. To purchase a membership visit www.growingstage.com or contact the Box Office at boxoffice@growingstage.comor call (973) 347-4946. Group Rates are available for each production.
The Growing Stage-The Children's Theatre of New Jersey is a non-profit professional performing arts center dedicated to theatre for young audiences. A member theatre of the Association of Actor's Equity, we provide opportunity for all to learn and grow through participation in the arts. www.growingstage.com
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