GOODNIGHT MOON, PRANCER, THUMBELINA and More Set for Rose Theater's 2016-17 Season
By: BWW News Desk Aug. 19, 2016
The Rose Theater will launch its 2016-17 season on Sept. 2, 2016, with the opening of Goodnight Moon, a musical featuring the classic children's book by the same name.
The upcoming season will continue to provide entertaining and educational offerings for children and families. The nine mainstage shows in the 2016-17 season promise to introduce children to worlds of color, excitement, adventure and exploration with offerings that range from wildly popular children's books, to classic favorites and original theatrical works.
The Rose's premium show offerings will take audiences on flights of fancy. Prancer, based on the film produced by Raffaella De Laurentiis, will make its world premiere on The Rose mainstage November 24 - December 18. The season will conclude with the perennial favorite Peter Pan, June 2-18, 2017.
In addition to its traditional season, The Rose will continue its series of theatrical pieces tailored for preschool children. This year's series includes Mouse on the Move and Thumbelina. These Pre-K shows will be presented on The Rose's Hitchcock Stage, a black-box style theater well-suited to immersing young audiences into the art of theater. Children will be able to choose traditional seating or sit on the floor near the performance areas, and all audience members can expect to interact directly with the performers and even help shape the course of the show. The shows will feature gentle tones and visuals, with no loud sounds of full blackouts.
The Rose's seven regular season mainstage shows are free with Rose membership or $20 per ticket for non-members. Tickets for the Pre-K series shows held on The Rose's Hitchcock Stage are $12. Tickets to The Rose's holiday production of the two premium shows, Prancer and Peter Pan are $27 main floor, $22 balcony. Rose members receive a $7 discount off the price of premium event tickets and $2 off the price of the Pre-K Hitchcock series. The lobby opens 45 minutes prior to each performance. Seating begins 30 minutes before curtain.
2016-17 MEMBERSHIP SHOWS:
Goodnight Moon
September 2-18, 2016
The season opens with an adaptation of the wildly popular children's book, Goodnight Moon. Goodnight Moon has been cherished by generations for over 40 years. This lively musical production will have families laughing and singing along as Bunny tries to go to bed. As Bunny moves through his bedtime routine, he encounters numerous detours along the way: jumping cows, dancing bears and a room that springs to life. Goodnight Moon is a timeless theater experience the whole family will enjoy.
The 60-minute production of Goodnight Moon will be presented on Fridays at 7 pm, Saturdays at 2 and 5 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. It will also be offered select Sundays at 4 pm. Interpretation for guests who are deaf and hard of hearing will be offered at the 2 pm show on Saturday, September 10. The show is recommended for children over age five.
Shrek The Musical Theater For Young Audiences Version
September 30 - October 16, 2016
Everyone's favorite onery ogre will burst onto The Rose stage this fall in his own merry musical. The show features all the friends and fiends from the Oscar-winning Dreamworks Animation film - from lovely damsel-not-so-distressed Fiona, to the "noble steed" Donkey, to the very short and villainous Lord Farquaad, and a cast of classic (but cracked) storybook characteres. Together, they challenge the surly Shrek to become an unlikely and reluctant hero.
Shrek The Musical will be presented on Fridays at 7 pm, Saturdays at 2 and 5 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. Interpretation for the hearing impaired will be offered at the 2 pm show on Saturday, October 8. The show is 70 minutes long without an intermission and is recommended for families with children ages five and up.
The Jungle Book
October 28 - November 13, 2016
The Jungle Book highlights the artistic talents of Greg Banks, the playwright who also wrote
the inventive veresion of Robin Hood that The Rose produced in 2012. In this adaptation of the classic novel, we meet Mowgli, a rambunctious and curious child who has been lost in the Indian jungle. He is adopted by Baloo the Bear, Bagheera the panther and all the animal friends who call the mysterious wilderness home. What will happen as young Mowglli comes face-to-face with sneaky monkeys, noisy vultures and his mortal enemy: the tiger, Shere Khan?
Children ages eight and up will find the complex storyline and intriguing plot compelling. In the end, The Jungle Book brings a classic novel to vivid life as it explores ideas about finding one's place in the world. The show runs 70 minutes without an intermission.
The Jungle Book will be presented on Fridays at 7 pm, Saturdays at 2 and 5 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. Interpretation for the hearing impaired will be offered at the 2 pm show on Saturday, November 5.
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
January 27 - February 12, 2017
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs takes a look at the Wolf's side of the story in a tongue- in-cheek production that will have the entire family rolling in the aisles. Based on the book by Jon Scieskzka and Lane Smith, the musical finds intrepid go-getter journalist Lillian McGill getting the scoop on the hilarious goings-on of the trial of the Big Bad Wolf. Can a wolf really get a fair trial in porker-centric Piggsylvania? The audience will be the jury and decide the ending of each performance in this familiar, but twisted, take on the classic fairy tale.
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs is best for children over age 6, and will be presented Fridays at 7 pm, Saturdays at 2 and 5 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. Interpretation for the hearing impaired will be offered at the 2 pm show on Saturday, February 4.
Huck Finn
February 24 - March 12, 2017
The great American novel Huck Finn comes to life in a thrilling and deeply funny adaptation. Journey along the mighty Mississippi as Huck Finn flees the claws of "civilization" in pursuit of freedom. Along the way, he comes across Jim, an escaped slave. Opening Huck's mind to the reality of slavery, the journey downriver with Jim is a real education for Huck.
Perfect for children ages 10 and up, the show recounts historical realities through humorous and suspenseful plot elements. The show runs 70 minutes without an intermission.
Huck Finn will be presented Fridays at 7 pm, Saturdays at 2 and 5 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. Interpretation for the hearing impaired will be offered at the 2 pm show on Saturday, March 4.
Harold and the Purple Crayon
March 24 - April 9, 2017
The ever-popular book Harold and the Purple Crayon has been enchanting readers for half a century, and now his precocious purple pictures are coming to life on stage at The Rose. In this gentle and inspirational musical version of Crockett Johnson's beloved tribute to the powers of creativity, Harold's charming scribbles take him on adventures on the earth and into the heavens. Along the journey, he draws the true blue conclusion of so many other wanderers: maybe no place is better than being in your own room with your imagination.
Children ages four and up will delight at the colorful and comical characters in the 60 minute show written by Don Darryl Rivera, with music by Auston James and lyrcis by Rob Burgess.
Harold and the Purple Crayon will be presented Fridays at 7 pm, Saturdays at 2 and 5 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. Interpretation for the hearing impaired will be offered at the 2 pm show on Saturday, April 1.
Stellaluna and Other Tales
April 21 - May 7, 2017
Jannell Cannon's adorable creations bring a simple wisdom to this charming musical adaptation of three of her beloved books. Audiences will meet the vivacious Verdi, an energetic young snake who doesn't want to turn green and grow up; the proud and clever lion Pinduli who turns a bad bullying situation around to teach her harassers a lesson; and of course, Stellaluna, who makes the most of getting lost until she can discover who she really is. The show features magical music and delightful dancing as the animals and audience gather around the watering hole.
Stellaluna and Other Tales runs 60 minutes without an intermission. It will be presented Fridays at 7 pm, Saturdays at 2 and 5 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. Interpretation for the hearing impaired will be offered at the 2 pm show on Saturday, April 29. The show is best suited for children over age four.
2015-16 PREMIUM SHOWS:
WORLD PREMIERE!
Prancer
November 25 - December 18, 2016
The Rose is pleased to present the world premiere of Prancer, based on the film produced by Raffaella De Laurentiis. Young Jessica Riggs' family has fallen on hard times. Even though the world keeps trying to bring her down, Jessica holds tight to her optimism and hope -- and especially to her belief in Santa Claus and miracles. When a hurt reindeer appears in Jessica's backyard, she is convinced it is Prancer, from Santa's sleigh team. As she nurses the creature back to health, the entire community learns about Prancer, causing big problems for Jessica as she tries to return the reindeer home. The show will incorporate innovatie puppetry techniques to bring Prancer to life on stage and warm the hearts of holiday audiences.
The premium holiday show will be led by Rose Artistic Director Matthew Gutschick, who returns to the director's chair after heading several successful productions, including A Christmas Story: The Musical, Robin Hood and Peter and the Starcatcher.
The show will incorporate innovatie puppetry techniques to bring Prancer to life on stage and warm the hearts of holiday audiences. New York City puppet designer Erik Novak will lead the efforts to bring the title character to life on stage, assisted by Rose teaching artist Stephanie Jacobson as puppetry choreographer. Novak's experience includes designing and building puppets and specialty props for a wide range of clients including Radio City Music Hall, Omaha Symphony, Brookfield Properties, Scholastic, The Skirball Cultural Center and Mabou Mines among many others.
Prancer will delight families with children ages seven and up. The premium event show runs two hours with an intermission.
Prancer will be presented Fridays at 7 pm, Saturdays at 2 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. Interpretation for the hearing impaired will be offered at the 2 pm show on Saturday, December 3. Tickets are $27 main floor, $22 balcony.
Peter Pan
June 2-18, 2017
The Rose's second premium event show invites audiences to fly high over the city of London, toward the second star to the right and straight on 'til morning as they follow Peter Pan on the adventure of a lifetime. In this classic story, originally directed, choreographed and adapted by Jerome Robbins, audiences will follow along as Wendy and her brothers make friends with the Lost Boys, outwit pirates and escape one very hungry crocodile. The show will feature fabulous flying effects and the iconic songs, "I'm Flying," "I Won't Grow Up," and "Never Never Land."
The two-hour show will include an intermission and is perfect for families with children over the age of four. Peter Pan will be presented Fridays at 7 pm, Saturdays at 2 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. Interpretation for the hearing impaired will be offered at the 2 pm show on Saturday, June 10. Tickets are $30 main floor, $25 balcony.
2015-16 PRE-K SERIES SHOWS:
Pre-K Series
Presented on The Rose's Hitchcock Stage
In addition to its main stage offerings, The Rose will also present two shows on its Hitchcock Stage, specifically intended for very young audiences. Tickets for the Pre-K shows are $12.
Mouse on the Move
October 15 - November 6, 2016
The Rose will introduce preschool audiences to Ellie and Amelia, two adventurous mice ready to explore the world beyond their mouse hole in Mouse on the Move. The two little mice decide to go to the moon, since it is cat-free and made entirely of delicious, mouth-watering cheese. Created specifically for very young audiences, this production offers a wonderful introduction to the world of theater, with many opportunities for children to participate in the storytelling.
The 45-minute participatory production is filled with visual delights (but without any loud sounds or full blackouts) that is especially suited for children over age three. The show will be performed select Tuesdays at 10 am, Saturdays at 9:30 and 11:00 am, and Sundays at 9:30 and 11:00 am. Tickets are $12.
WORLD PREMIERE!
Thumbelina
January 14 - February 5, 2017
Rose artist-educator Stephanie Jacobson has adapted the classic story of Thumbelina for The Rose's Pre-K series. The story, adapted from the tale by Hans Christian Andersen, will make its world debut in January 2017. The play follows the life of Thumbelina, a flower-sized girl determined to discover the true meaning of friendship. Audiences will interact with the actors on stage as they go on a magical, thumb-sized adventure. Children will "swim" with fish and "fly" with sparrows using inventive puppetry and innovative design. This special interactive theatrical experience is designed to introduce first-time theatergoers to the magic of live performance.
Thumbelina will run 45 minutes and is ideal for children over age three. The show will be performed select Tuesdays at 10 am, Saturdays at 9:30 and 11:00 am, and Sundays at 9:30 and 11:00 am. Tickets are $12.
The Rose Theater is one of the largest and most accomplished children's theaters in the nation, with a reputation for enriching the lives of children and families through top-quality professional productions and arts education. In 2016, American Theatre magazine named The Rose one of the 20 top children's theaters in the United States. The Rose is committed to making the Arts Accessible to all children, providing opportunities for thousands of children throughout the community to attend shows and participate in classes each year. Over the course of a year, approximately 70,000 people attend the public performances held at the theater, and nearly 30,000 students attend field trip shows annually. The theater strives to introduce young people to a mix of both traditional favorites and ground-breaking original productions. A number of plays and musicals have made their world premiere on The Rose stage, including Pete the Cat: The Musical, Sherlock Holmes & the First Baker Street Irregular, Zen Ties, Buffalo Bill's Cowboy Band, and The Grocer's Goblin & The Little Mermaid. We take pride knowing that The Rose is the place where children of all ages experience theater for the first time, and we are dedicated to helping them appreciate theater for a lifetime.
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