Imagination Stage kicks off an enormously fun season with the world premiere of Lulu and the Brontosaurus, a musical based on the book by popular local author and poet Judith Viorst. It is a story about an unforgettable little girl who learns a lot about sharing and listening to others. Lulu and the Brontosaurus runs in Imagination Stage's Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Theatre now through October 27. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
Lulu and the Brontosaurus is the first book in a series by Judith Viorst, who also wrote the Alexander series. She penned the lyrics for the production as well. Ms. Viorst will be honored with the Imagination Award at Imagination Stage's annual gala, entitled Stories Make the World Go 'Round. The gala will take place this year on October 19.
Lulu and the Brontosaurus is the story of a feisty young girl who wants nothing but a brontosaurus for her birthday. When Mom and Dad draw the line at the impracticality of a pet dinosaur, Lulu sets off into the forest to find the large reptile all by herself. When she meets Mr. B, it's clear that this brontosaurus is not interested in being her pet-he wants Lulu to be his pet instead! She has certainly met her match, and nothing turns out quite the way she expects.
Casie Platt plays title role of Lulu. Casie has previously performed at Imagination Stage in Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells and Bunnicula. She has also performed in many area theatres, including Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company,
Signature Theatre, and Forum Theatre.
Vaughn Irvingwill be the puppeteer and voice for Mr. B, the brontosaurus. Vaughn has previously performed at Imagination Stage in The Wind in the Willows andMulan. He has also performed locally with No Rules Theatre Company, Landless Theatre Company, and Rep Stage.
The Narrator is played by Lauren Du Pree. Lauren was most recently seen at Imagination Stage in James and the Giant Peach and The Magic Finger. Lauren graduated from Howard University and has performed with
Signature Theatre, Adventure Theatre MTC, and Colored People's Theatre, among others. Doug Wilder and
Tracey Stephens round out the cast as Father and Mother, respectively. Doug has performed with Imagination Stage several times, including The Dancing Princesses, The Wind in the Willows, and Heidi. Doug is the director of education at the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts and is a graduate of their three-year program. He has performed in more than 60 plays in the D.C. area. Tracey is new to Imagination Stage and has performed in Off-Broadway productions, national tours, and on the Discovery Channel.
The creative team for Lulu and the Brontosaurus includes music director
George Fulginiti-Shakar, composer
Shelly Markham, set designer Milagros Ponce de Leon, lighting designer Cory Ryan Frank, costume designer Deb Sivigny, choreographer Ilona Kessell, puppet builder Matthew Pauli, and sound designer
Neil McFadden.
Lulu and the Brontosaurus plays public performances on Tuesdays-Fridays at 10:30 a.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., select Saturdays at 11 a.m. with a Special Friday night performance on October 25 at 7 p.m. Tickets: $12 - $25; best for ages 4-9. Imagination Stage is located at 4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD. Parking: Metered parking in the adjacent public parking garage; parking is FREE on weekends. Metro: Red Line / Bethesda Station. For information: 301-280-1660 or
www.imaginationstage.org.
Photo Credit: Margot Schulman
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