THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER Plays Denver Center's Space Theater

THE ADVENTURES OF Tom Sawyer, adapted for the stage by Laura Eason, based on the novel by Mark Twain, will play the Denver Center Theatre Company's Space Theatre November 11 - December 18 (opening night Thursday, November 17.) Tickets are on sale now, by calling 303.893.4100 or www.denvercenter.org.

Mark Twain's classic novel of Missouri boyhood comes to the stage in a high-spirited theatrical romp. Mischievous Tom and his pal Huck witness a murder, then embark on a string of wild escapades. Becky Thatcher, Aunt Polly, Injun Joe and the rest join Tom in this timeless family tale.

The cast of THE ADVENTURES OF Tom Sawyer includes DCTC debuting actors Stanton Nash as Tom Sawyer, Blake Lowell as Huckleberry Finn and Nick Abeel as Joe Harper. Playing Becky Thatcher is Caitlin Wise (Midsummer Night's Dream, A Christmas Carol, Dracula), Sid Sawyer is Andrew Schwartz (To Kill a Mockingbird, The Liar), Aunt Polly is Rachel Fowler (All My Sons, Measure for Measure), Injun Joe is Drew Cortese (The Liar, A Midsummer Night's Dream) and Muff Potter is Stephen Weitz (A Midsummer Night's Dream, Othello).

THE ADVENTURES OF Tom Sawyer is adapted for the stage by Laura Eason, based on the novel by Mark Twain and directed by Jane Page. Scenic design is by Vicki Smith (24 seasons at the DCTC, A Christmas Carol, Dracula) while costume design is by David Kay Mickelsen (54 productions/18 consecutive seasons/13 premieres, The Liar, Ruined, The 39 Steps). Lighting design is by Charles R. MacLeod (The Liar, Superior Donuts), sound design is by Jason Ducat (The Liar, Superior Donuts) and projection design is by Charlie I. Miller (American Night: The Ballad of Juan José, The House of the Spirits). Gary Grundei is composer (To Kill a Mockingbird, Dracula). Dramaturgy is by Douglas Langworthy (American Night: The Ballad of Juan José, Ruined) and Robert Davidson (A Midsummer Night's Dream, Quilters) is movement coach. Kathryn G. Maes, Ph.D is dialect and vocal coach. Fight director is Geoffrey Kent (The Liar, To Kill a Mockingbird, Ruined).

About the playwright: Laura Eason is the author of more than 15 plays, both original work and adaptations. Produced plays include Sex with Strangers, (Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago), Jack and the Collection, (WEY, NYC), When The Messenger Is Hot (59E59, NYC; Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago), Area Of Rescue (Andhow Theatre at the Connelly, NYC), A Tale Of Two Cities (Steppenwolf), Huck Finn (Steppenwolf), The Ghost's Bargain (Two River Theater, NJ), The Coast Of Chicago (Walkabout Theatre, Chicago), Dynamometer (The Thursday Problem/Working Man's Clothes, NYC), Lost In The Supermarket (Vital Theatre, NYC), Our Secret Life (Middlesex School), 40 Days (University of Wisconsin) as well as In The Eye Of The Beholder, 28 and Around The World In 80 Days (Lookingglass Theatre Company, Chicago) which she also directed.
Additional plays include Plainfield Ace, Little Boxes, Peanut Moms, and Rewind. Her work has been developed in New York at MCC, New York Theatre Workshop, Andhow Theater and New Georges. She has received multiple commissions from Steppenwolf and Lookingglass Theatres as well as Walkabout, Two River and Middlesex School, among others.

When The Messenger Is Hot, Area Of Rescue and Around The World In 80 Days are published by Broadway Play Publishing where she was named playwright of the year in 2007. A Tale Of Two Cities is published by Playscripts, Inc. She has received two Jeff Awards (Chicago) for new work and adaptation.

In New York, Ms. Eason is an Affiliated Artist of New Georges, a playwright member of the Women's Project Lab and a member of America-in-Play. She is also an active Ensemble Member and the former Artistic Director of Lookingglass Theatre, Chicago. Ms. Eason is a graduate of the Performance Studies Department of Northwestern University. Originally from Chicago, she lives in Brooklyn, NY. Official website: www.lauraeason.com.

Single tickets for THE ADVENTURES OF Tom Sawyer start at $35 (non-SCFD) and are also available for $10 (SCFD 10 for $10 Program) and are on sale now. To purchase, call Denver Center Ticket Services at 303.893.4100. TTY (for Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons): 303.893.9582. Groups of 10 or more, please call 303.446.4829. Tickets may also be purchased at the Denver Center Ticket Office, located at the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex lobby. Buy and print online at www.denvercenter.org. Student $10 rush ticket are available one hour prior to curtain with a valid student ID subject to availability. Senior and military rush tickets are available one hour prior to curtain, subject to availability. No children under six will be admitted to any theatre. THE ADVENTURES OF Tom Sawyer was selected specifically to appeal to middle school children and families. We encourage families to attend together to discuss the adult situations including a murder.

This production of THE ADVENTURES OF Tom Sawyer is generously supported by Producing Partners Tim and Jill Taylor and Rick and Shelly Sapkin. It is sponsored by Boeing and HealthONE with additional support by Ceavco Audio Visual and the Ralph and Florence Burgess Charitable Trust. THE ADVENTURES OF Tom Sawyer is a featured attraction in the Denver Center Theatre Company 2011/12 season, which is generously supported by the Steinberg Charitable Trust, Wells Fargo Advisors, Ashford University, Larimer Square and SCFD. Media sponsorship for DCTC is provided by The Denver Post and CBS4. The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is supported in part by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District. Please visit our website at www.denvercenter.org.

Special Events for THE ADVENTURES OF Tom Sawyer

Perspectives on the Play | November 11 at 6pm
The DCTC's creative team provides the audience a unique perspective on the production. In the Jones Theatre.

Talkback hosted by the Higher Education Advisory Council | December 11, post-show
Join the cast for a post-show discussion led by members of our academic community.

General Talkbacks | November 27 and December 10, post-show
Join us for a post-show discussion with the actors from the show

Theatre & Theology | November 22, post-show
In a continued partnership with Pastor Dan Bollman with the Rocky Mountain Evangelical Lutheran Synod, this discussion examines the relevant connections to the productions through the theological lens. Post-show.

For more information on these special events, please visit http://www.denvercenter.org/education/EducationResources.aspx