Adventure Theatre MTC Announces its 66th Season and National TYA Co-Commission

Ahoy, me Hearties! Adventure Theatre MTC (ATMTC), recent recipient of three 2017 Helen Hayes Awards, is proud to announce its 66th Season featuring five main stage productions based on popular children's stories and books with two world premieres and one exceptional nation-wide, seven-Theatre Partnership. This stand-out season will delight audiences in the DC area with award-winning directors and artists.

Adventure abounds with HOW I BECAME A PIRATE, based upon the book "How I Became a Pirate" written by Melinda Long and Illustrations by David Shannon. Jenny Male directs the delightfully silly story of young Jeremy Jacob who is plucked from obscurity while innocently constructing a sand castle and is thrust into a brand-new life as a pirate.

For the holidays, Adventure brings back one its favorite shows, FROSTY THE SNOWMAN, based on the song written by Walter "Jack" Rollins and Steve Nelson and directed by Jason Schlafstein (Flying V). Children will dance along as a top hat brings a snowman to life in a delightful production for the entire family.

If you're thinking of seeking quarter in Australia, join the musical, ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY. Director Cara Gabriel is at the helm of the story of everyone's favorite anti-hero who is having the worst day ever.

In an unprecedented partnership, Michael Bobbitt, Artistic Director, parleyed a group of seven like-minded children's theatres nationwide to commission a new work for the Theatre for Young Audiences stage, JUDY MOODY & STINK: THE MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD TREASURE HUNT. Adventure Theatre plus six others - Bay Area Children's Theatre in Oakland, California; Children's Theatre of Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina; First Stage in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Oregon Children's Theatre in Portland, Oregon; Orlando Repertory Theatre in Orlando, Florida; and the Rose Theater in Omaha, Nebraska - agreed to collaborate and together, chose Allison Gregory as the most accomplished playwright for this endeavor. This work is supported by a partial grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Finally, ATMTC flies off to Neverland in a world premiere play by Patrick Flynn, TINKER BELL, based on the works of Sir J. M. Barrie. Directed by multiple Helen Hayes Award nominee and Charles MacArthur Award recipient, Nick Olcott (who the pirates have promised not to kidnap or ransom), this is the story of Neverland and Peter Pan from everyone's favorite fairy's perspective.

Adventure Theatre MTC's Artistic Director, Michael J. Bobbitt, says of the season, "I'm thrilled that this national collaboration will bring so much joy to young audiences across the country in these uncertain times. This is truly the opportunity for families to come together, create memories, and appreciate the amazing art that DC Theatre has to offer. "

For more information about Adventure Theatre MTC, call 301-634-2270 or visit www.adventuretheatre-mtc.org. Flexpass sales are currently available for sale for the 2017-2018 season.

PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTIONS

How I Became a Pirate

Based upon the book "How I Became a Pirate"

Written by Melinda Long and Illustrations by David Shannon

Book, Music and Lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman

Directed by Jenny Male

All performances held in Glen Echo Park

Recommended for all ages

(September 22- October 22, 2017)

Argh matey! It's pirate's life for me on the high seas! One day as Jeremy builds a sand castle on the beach, a pirate ship rows ashore in search of a place to bury the pirate's treasure. Taken aboard as an honorary pirate, Jeremy learns the ropes of what it really means to be a swashbuckling (but smelly) pirate, and the pirates just might learn how to play soccer too.

Frosty the Snow Man

Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc

Book by William Francis

Music and lyrics by Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins

Directed by Jason Schlafstein

All performances held in Glen Echo Park

Recommended for all ages

(November 19 - December 31, 2017)

Do you want to build a snow man? How about watching him spring to life in front of you for one day of adventures before he melts away? In this merry wintertime romp, chock-full of chuckles and comic antics, Frosty dances into the hearts of kids and adults alike- even the heart of one near-sighted cop- through his uproarious antics.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Based on the book by Judith Viorst and illustrated by Ray Cruz

Book and Lyrics by Judith Viorst

Music by Shelly Markham

Directed by Cara Gabriel

All performances held in Glen Echo Park

Recommended for all ages

(February 11 - March 31, 2018)

Alexander is having a bad day. A terrible day. A horrible day. To be quite honest, it's a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. But then, everybody has bad days, sometimes. Not only does Alexander wake up with gum in his hair, but his mother forgets to pack him dessert, and his best friend decides he's not his best friend anymore. And if that's not bad enough, Alexander's brothers don't have any cavities but-he does. And just when it can't get any worse, there are lima beans for supper and -yuck!-kissing on TV. It is enough to make anyone want to go to Australia. Uuuugggghhh.

Judy Moody & Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt

Adapted for the stage by Allison Gregory

Based on the books: "Judy Moody" and "Judy Moody & Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt" written by Megan McDonald and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. Published by Candlewick Press, Inc.

This play was co-commissioned by First Stage, Adventure Theatre MTC, Bay Area Children's Theatre, The Rose Theatre, Oregon Children's Theatre, Children's Theatre of Charlotte, and Orlando Repertory Theatre.

Directed by Mitchell Hebert

All performances held in Glen Echo Park

Recommended for Ages 4+

(April 22 - June 3, 2018)

Third grade has put Judy Moody in a mood. She's got to figure out what to include in her "Me" collage, and her know-it-all little brother Stink keeps getting in the way. When the Moody family drops anchor on "Artichoke" Island, they meet Cap'n Weevil with a secret treasure map, launching them on a mad dash across the island in search of gold. But they're not the only salty dogs lookin' for loot! Can Judy Moody and Stink outwit their competition in time? Will Judy finish her project? Come aboard as we launch this world premiere and find out!

Tinker Bell

Based on the works of Sir J. M. Barrie

Adapted for the stage by Patrick Flynn

Directed by Nick Olcott

Location TBD

Recommended for all ages

(June 24 - August 20, 2018)

Everyone knows the story of Peter Pan. Or, at least, everyone thinks they do. But unless you have heard it from Tinker Bell's point of view, you really have not heard it at all. A new twinkling light shines on all the characters you love including, Wendy, the Lost Boys, Peter Pan, Smee, and the nefarious Hook from a feisty fairy's point of view.

ABOUT ADVENTURE THEATRE MTC

Adventure Theatre MTC educates and inspires new generations of theater artists and audiences with exceptional theatrical experiences.