SCT Debuts Mo Willem's World Premiere NAKED MOLE RAT GETS DRESSED: The Rock Experience

Seattle Children's Theatre is proud to present the world premiere musical Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience, with script and lyrics by the popular children's author Mo Willems, and music by Deborah Wicks La Puma.

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience opens Friday, March 23, 2018 (with a public preview Thursday, March 22) and runs through Sunday, May 13, 2018 in SCT's Charlotte Martin Theatre. Linda J. Hartzell will direct the production, with musical direction by Tim Symons and choreography by Marianne Roberts. Tickets ($25-$45) are available at sct.org or through the box office at 201 Thomas St or by calling 206.441.3322. Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience is recommended for ages five and older.

In Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience, Wilbur, a clothes-loving mole rat with exceptional style, navigates the universal pressure to be just like everyone else. Emmy winner and Caldecott honoree Mo Willems blends his classic humor with empowering messages of individuality, combined with the rock-style musical score composed by Deborah Wicks La Puma.

In a recent interview, Willems reflected on the creative process which led him to tell this story: "For me, every worthwhile project starts with a terrible idea, such as "Hey, how about making a rock opera about a rodent with the word 'naked' in the title? You know, for kids.... Every project should excite and terrify you in equal measure."

The Cast and Creative Team

This production features Greg McCormick Allen (Grand Pah Mole Rat), Lisa Estridge (Grande Mole Rat), Duncan Frost (Venti Mole Rat), Richard Gray (Wilbur J. Mole Rat, Jr.), Kate Jaeger (Tall Mole Rat), and Vickielee Wohlbach (Weather Mole). Molli Corcoran and Basil Harris are the understudies.

The production team includes Mo Willems (Playwright), Linda J. Hartzell (Director), Deborah Wicks La Puma (Composer), Megan Alrutz (Dramaturg), Tim Symons (Music Director), Marianne Roberts (Choreographer), Jeffrey Cook (Scenic Designer), Cathy Hunt (Costume Designer), Chris R. Walker (Sound Designer), and Andrew D. Smith (Lighting Designer).

About Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience

Script and lyrics by Mo Willems

Music Composed by Deborah Wicks La Puma

March 23 - May 13, 2018

Charlotte Martin Theatre

"They are a little bit rat. They are a little bit mole. They are all naked."

A colony of rock-star, Naked Mole Rats are called to attention to rock the tunnel with their morning song. They sing about being a little bit mole, a little bit rat, and so totally and happily naked. It is quickly noted that Wilbur, a member of the colony, is absent.

Wilbur, a dreamy mole rat, contemplates how he can bring about some change and warmth into his life. Suddenly, a hat drifts downward, as if falling from the sky. Wilbur reaches down and puts the hat on his head. A shirt drifts down, followed by plaid pants, a blazer, and a tie. Wilbur considers the implications of being a Naked Mole Rat who wears clothing, and he is torn, pacing back and forth. As he tries the clothes on, he becomes ecstatic and makes a resolution to be a clothes wearing Mole Rat. Based on the book Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems, audiences who laughed along with Elephant and Piggie's "We are in a Play!" will love this new adaptation, commissioned and premiered by SCT.

Ticket and Performance Information

Public performances occur Thursday and Friday at 7:00pm, Saturdays at 1:00pm and 4:30pm, and Sundays at 11:00am and 2:30pm. The ASL interpreted performance occurs on April 14 at 1:00pm; the sensory-friendly/relaxed performance occurs on April 8 at 11:00am; and the audio-described performance occurs on April 21 at 1:00pm.

Tickets range from $25 to $45 depending on day of performance (subject to change). Purchase tickets at www.sct.org or through the box office at 201 Thomas St or by calling 206.441.3322.

SCT is proud to offer discounted tickets for TeenTix members, military families, foster children, and families receiving state food assistance. Tickets and information on all of SCT's access programming can be found at www.sct.org.

Special thanks to show sponsors USI and Boeing.

Seattle Children's Theatre, which celebrates its 43rd season in 2017-2018, is internationally recognized as a leading producer of professional theatre, educational programs, and new works for young audiences. At the close of 2018, SCT will have produced 263 plays, 113 of which are world premieres, entertaining, inspiring and educating over 4 million children. SCT's School Children Access Program provides $1.3 million in significantly reduced or complimentary tickets for schools and community organizations in the Puget Sound Area. www.sct.org.

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