Pumpkin Theatre Announces Their 43rd Season

Pumpkin Theatre announces our 43rd Season producing plays for the young and young at heart. We're proud to that next year we'll be producing Hansel & Gretel, Cinderella, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, The Emperor's Nightingale and How to Eat Like a Child. We believe in providing quality, theater that the whole family can enjoy and hope you'll come spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon with us reliving some wonderful stories. Performances take place at St. Timothy's School, 8400 Greenspring Avenue at 1 and 3pm. Tickets are $12 in advance, $14 at the door and subscriptions are available by calling the box office at 410 828 1814 or emailing pumpkintheatre@comcast.net.

As always, Pumpkin strives to showcase some of the Regions most talented performers, directors and designers. Our productions always feature solid acting, dramatic lighting, thought provoking sets and fabulous costumes.

Hansel and Gretel (September 25 - October 3) by Michelle Vacca, directed by Stacey Needle - This classic fairy tale follows a young brother and sister who discover a house of candy and cake in the forest and a child-devouring witch. It is the story of a bond between a Brother and a Sister, of how they triumph over a very hard situation. This story shows how tight the bond of a family is, thru thick and thin, a family is always there to help and give support.

Cinderella (December 11 - 19) - Adaptation and music by Jim Eiler, Music by Jim Eiler and Jeanne Bargy, directed by Jimi Kinstle - A beloved fairy tale about a young woman who triumphs over her nasty, abusive Stepmother and Stepsisters and marries her Prince Charming, thanks to a zany Fairy Godmother, a trip to the Royal Ball in an enchanted coach, and a glass slipper The Fairy Godmother's two comical helpers keep things moving along in this delightful musical version of a classic known the world over.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (February 19 - 27) - Adapted by Jody Davidson, directed by Jimi Kinstle - Based on the beloved book by Laura Numeroff, this delightful story about a hungry little mouse and ensuing havoc is brought to life for young audiences in a charming adaptation. A mouse shows up at a little boy's house and asks for a cookie. The mouse receives the cookie and wants a glass of milk. He receives the glass of milk and wants a straw. He receives the straw... The rest becomes a chain of never-ending events!

The Emperor's Nightingale (March 12 - 20) - by Laura Amy Schlitz, directed by Moses Goldberg - Based on the tale by Hans Christian Andersen, this version takes place in China. The nightingale sings so sweetly that everyone loves to hear her song - even the Emperor. But when the Emperor of China receives a new dazzling mechanical songbird made from gold and rubies, he has eyes for nothing else. What will become of the little nightingale now?

How to Eat Like a Child (May 14 - 22) - book by Delia Ephron, John Forster and Judith Kahan, Music and Lyrics by John Forster, directed by Jimi Kinstle - This musical romp through the joys and sorrows of being a child is hilarious. "Children" give several lessons in such subjects as how to beg for a dog, how to torture your sister, how to act after being sent to your room and how to laugh hysterically.

Bio's from Notables for Next Season

Dr. Moses Goldberg (director, The Emperor's Nightingale) was producing director of Stage One, Louisville's family theater, from the 1978-79 season until his retirement in 2003. A nationally and internationally recognized leader in theater for young audiences, he also has directed professionally at theaters from Washington to Florida and was artistic director at the Asolo Touring Theatre and PAF Youth Theatre Center. Active in the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People, Moses has attended meetings of the association all over the world and directed the world premiere of On the Edge at Moscow's famed Tanganka Theatre. He also has written more than 25 plays and published 10 of them, including such adaptations of classic tales as Aladdin, The Outlaw Robin Hood, The Men's Cottage, and The Wind in the Willows. Moses recently was honored with the 2002 Governor's Award in the Arts Artist Award, which commemorates an individual's lifetime achievement in the arts.
Laura Amy Schlitz (Playwright, The Emperor's Nightingale) is an American author of children's literature. She is a librarian and storyteller at Park School in Baltimore County, Maryland. She received the 2008 Newbery Medal for her children's book entitled Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village. Her other published books are The Bearskinner: A Tale of the Brothers Grimm (2007), A Drowned Maiden's Hair (2006; the book won a Cybil Award that year), and The Hero Schliemann: The Dreamer Who Dug Up Troy (2006).

Stacey Needle (Director, Hansel & Gretel) most recently directed "3 Little Tails" for Pumpkin Theatre's Kinderseries Program. Stacey holds a BA in Theatre and Communications from Goucher College, where her emphasis was Directing and Performance. While at Goucher she directed many productions, as well as was President of the Open Circle Theatre. She has an extensive theatre background having been involved in the performance industry for the past 25 years. Highlights include Kings Dominion, Universal Studios, and Nickelodeon studios. Besides being Box Office Manager for Pumpkin Theatre, she also leads a weekly story time program and teaches "Mommy and Me" classes.

Jimi Kinstle (Artistic Director, Director, Cinderella, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, How to Eat Like a Child) starts his second year leading Pumpkin Theatre and his 23rd as a member of the Baltimore Theatre Community. Formerly Artistic Director for Baltimore Shakespeare Festival and a graduate of Towson University his directing credits include, Pinocchio, A Winnie the Pooh Birthday Tail, Dimly Perceived Threats to the System, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead, God, Little Shop of Horrors; Educational Theatre: Hamlet, Wizard of Oz, Mulan, Suessical, Annie, Aladdin, Strike Up the Band, Willy Wonka.

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