World Premiere of LULU AND THE BRONTOSAURUS Set for Imagination Stage, Now thru Oct 27

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 today, September 25 through October 27. Best for ages 4-9, tickets start at $12, and may be purchased online at www.imaginationstage.org, at the Imagination Stage box office, or via phone at 301-280-1660, beginning August 12. Group rates are available.

"Judith Viorst has done it again!" said Janet Stanford, director of the production and artistic director of Imagination Stage. "With Lulu she has brought us another charismatic child character who is more than a match for the hard-done-by Alexander. Lulu bristles with self-confidence and captivates us with her big ambitions, but she is, at the same time, a little girl making her own distinctive journey towards maturity. I predict she will soon be a heroine not only of literature but also of the stage."

Lulu and the Brontosaurus is the first book in a series by Ms. Viorst, who also wrote theAlexander 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 will play the 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 Irving will be the puppeteer and voice for Mr. B, the brontosaurus. Vaughn has previously performed at Imagination Stage in The Wind in the Willows and Mulan. He has also performed locally with No Rules Theatre Company, Landless Theatre Company, and Rep Stage.

The Narrator will be 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 Stephensround 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.

By Judith Viorst; Music by Shelly Markham; Directed by Janet Stanford

September 25 - October 27, 2013

· 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.

· Special Friday night performance on October 25 at 7 p.m.

Tickets: $12 - $25; best for ages 4-9

· $10 Preview Tickets (applies to most seats) September 28 at 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

· Book signing with author and playwright Judith Viorst: October 6 (time TBD).

· Sensory-friendly performance: October 6 at 11:00 a.m.

· ASL interpreted performance: October 13 at 4:00 p.m.

Imagination Stage
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