Book It Rep Closes RED RANGER CAME CALLING, 12/23

 

 

Red Ranger Came Calling was first performed in 2003 for Book-It's 14th season, and by popular demand was reprised in 2004. Berkeley Breathed's illustrated classic returns again for Book-It Repertory Theatre's 21st season adapted and directed by Myra Platt with music by Myra Platt and Edd Key. Red Ranger is a fun, affordable holiday show that runs from November 23 until December 23 in the Eve Alvord Theatre at Seattle Children's Theatre, with previews November 23, 24, 26 and 27.

 

 

A holiday musical favorite, Red Ranger, is based on the popular illustrated book by Berkeley Breathed. Breathed tells the true story of his own father who, at age nine, insisted on being addressed as the Red Ranger of Mars. Every Christmas, the Red Ranger is sent to Vashon Island to spend the holiday with his Aunt Vy. This Christmas of 1939, the rambunctious and disbelieving red-headed boy encounters an ancient man named Saunder Clös, rumored to be the retired Santa Claus. Inspired to overcome Red's skepticism, Saunder Clös gives a gift which leaves his own indelible mark on the landscape, and which still remains on Vashon Island today! Red Ranger tells a timely tale where even the hardest heart can be softened through the act of believing in that which is difficult to believe.

 

 

Adapter and Director Myra Platt is founding co-artistic director of Book-It Repertory Theatre alongside Jane Jones. Among her many accomplishments, Platt has appeared on stage in The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears and originated the role of Candy Kendall in John Irving's The Cider House Rules at Seattle Rep and Mark Taper Forum; she directed Persuasion and Plainsong; and adapted and directed such works as The River Why, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Night Flight, and The House of the Spirits. Bringing Red Ranger back to the stage seemed an obvious choice this season for Platt: -I loved the idea of putting this story on stage because of its unique northwest flavor, cocked humor and sweet historical references. I love magic. And Breathed offers true magic in this book.?

 

 

 

Writer Berkeley Breathed, who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1987 for editorial cartooning, is the creator of the popular comic strips -Bloom County? and -Outland,? which featured such memorable characters as Opus and Bill the Cat. Since retiring both -Bloom County? in 1989 and -Outland? in 1995, he has written several children's books, including The Last Basselope (1992), Goodnight Opus (1993), Edward Fudwupper Fibbed Big (2000), Flawed Dogs (2003), Mars Needs Moms! (2007), and Pete and Pickles (2008). Mars Needs Moms! will be released as a major motion picture in 2011.

Breathed's 1994 children's book, Red Ranger Came Calling has been skillfully adapted for the stage as a musical, featuring original songs, choreography, and music, which have all been refined for this new production in a new venue-the Eve Alvord Theatre. Co-composer Edd Key has -always been very drawn to the fantastic depth and range of the music that came from the Great Depression era. It is rebellious while honoring the traditional, and traditional while honoring the rebellious.? All sound effects will be performed live like a period radio show. Key adds, -We will be making the most of the musical abilities of everyone in the cast.?

Breathed's original illustrations have provided a strong foundation for the adaptation and composition of Red Ranger. -Each image in the book inspired a song in my head,? Platt has said, and these illustrations will in turn be used by Scenic Designer Curtis Taylor, who translates Breathed's art into traditional flats and old-fashioned scenic elements, creating the look of a 1930s theatre. Projections and lighting by Jessica Trundy are directly inspired by Breathed's use of light in his illustrations. Costumes by K.D. Schill are simple, yet whimsical as they portray a Depression-era Vashon Island, where Santa Claus might even now be living in retirement.

Red Ranger Came Calling includes an 18-person cast with Jerick Hoffer in the title role of Red. Along with Wesley Rice as Berkeley, and Theresa Holmes as Red's dear Aunt Vy, the infamous Red Ranger's supporting cast includes Luis Benito, Dana Johnson, Shermona Mitchell, Erin Pike, Clint Pozzi, Andrew Murray, Mark Waldstein, Heather Ward, composer Edd Key as the Head Elf, and many others.

Tickets for Red Ranger Came Calling range from only $25 (students) to $42 (November 27 opening night, includes party) and can be purchased online at www.book-it.org or by calling 206.216.0833. Performances are at 2:00 for matinees, or 7:30 for evening shows. Red Ranger Came Calling will perform all shows in the Eve Alvord Theatre at Seattle Children's Theatre, and runs for one hour and fifteen minutes. There is a Post-Show Talk Back on December 5.

Book-It Repertory Theatre's 2010-11 Season also includes the literary classic Great Expectations by Charles Dickens; and two contemporary novels by renowned local authors: Prairie Nocturne by Ivan Doig, and Border

Songs by Jim Lynch. The company will continue its Novel Workshop Series, and present a full season of adaptations for young people through its Book-It All Over education and touring arm (Henry's Freedom Box, and The Secret Garden will make up the Family Fun Series of public performances). Additional -Special Editions? of John Irving's Owen Meany's Christmas Pageant, read by Stephen Hando, and Women's Votes, Women's Voices (celebrating the 100th anniversary of women voting in Washington State; supported by 4Culture) are available for touring. Dates and detailed information can be found on the company's website at www.book-it.org.

Support for Book-It's 2010-11 season comes from: The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, ArtsFund, Washington State Arts Commission, the Bill & MeLinda Gates Foundation, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, National Endowment for the Arts, The Seattle Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Key Bank Foundation, media sponsor KUOW and online media sponsor Google. Production/program support is provided by The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, The Boeing Company Charitable Trust, 4Culture, MetLife, Theatre Communications Group, Harvest Foundation, Safeco Insurance Foundation, City of Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, The Norcliffe Foundation, Fales Foundation Trust, U.S. Bancorp Foundation, and Washington Women's Foundation.

Book-It Repertory Theatre is a 2010 Mayor's Arts Award-winner, a recipient of an Anniversary Grant from The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. A leader in the narrative theatre movement, Book-It is a non-profit organization dedicated to great literature and quality theatre experiences through simple, sensitive and imaginative production, and to inspiring its audiences to read.

 

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