CINDERELLA, SHREK, Dr. Seuss' THE CAT IN THE HAT and More Set for Children's Theatre Company's 2013-14 Season

As one of the twenty largest professional regional theatres in the U.S., Children's Theatre Company is the national leader in creating work for young audiences, ages two through eighteen. The 2013-2014 Season will be among the most innovative with three world premieres, two extraordinary guest companies, a new preschool piece and a Broadway musical. The season will also include a beloved classic never before seen at CTC and a Philip Pullman masterpiece brought to the stage for the first time. The Wong Kids in The Secret of the Space Chupacabra Go! by Lloyd Suh is CTC's first ever sci-fi anime inspired production. This world premiere will be co-produced with the Ma- Yi Theater Company and run at CTC before playing in New York.

As Artistic Director Peter Brosius looks ahead to the upcoming season, he is enthusiastic about the collection of work that will run on CTC stages. Brosius explains, "Creating a season is like creating a great meal or assembling a bouquet of flowers. You start with ingredients that you love, that you can't wait to share. You look for productions that will be unique, exciting, challenging and inspiring in their own ways. You want to find new tales that have never been told to your audience and also those stories that the audience may know but find theatrical ways of making them alive and fresh and as startling as when they were first conceived. This season features three world premieres long nurtured in our new play development program, Threshold. We also love to introduce our audience to stellar companies from across the country and around the world and this year we bring you New York's acclaimed Ma-Yi Theater and Canada's Mermaid Theatre. This season is filled with tales that look at what friendship truly means, the challenges of being an outsider, and how we change and grow and become our best selves. I couldn't be more thrilled to share these stories, these artists and these companies with you."

Charlotte's Web

By Joseph Robinette
Based on the Book by E.B. White Directed by Greg Banks UnitedHealth Group Stage

September 17 - October 27 Grades K+

When Fern saves Wilbur, the smallest pig in the litter, from her father's axe, Wilbur feels like nothing bad can ever happen again. The wisecracking barn animals, however know why The Farmer wants to make his new pig fat and tender. Wilbur finds help in the seemingly fragile web of Charlotte the spider who weaves a path to freedom for the pig. Based on the beloved children's book, this heartwarming tale of friendship, devotion and sacrifice will be on the CTC stage for the first time with award-winning director Greg Banks at the helm.

The Wong Kids in The Secret of the Space Chupacabra Go!

Co-Produced with Ma-Yi Theater Company

By Lloyd Suh
Directed by Ralph B. Peña Cargill Stage
October 8 - November 17 Grades 3+

In a story told in the visual style of a graphic novel with the brazen humor of Spaceballs, Violet and Bruce Wong just don't fit in with the other Earth kids. When a neighbor informs Violet and Bruce that an ancient evil beast called the Space Chupacabra is destroying planets, they must use their newly discovered superpowers to save the universe...if they can stop bickering. Violet and Bruce ultimately realize that being different isn't so bad when they have each other. Check out this world premiere production, co-produced with the distinguished Ma-Yi Theater before it heads to New York.

Cinderella

Adapted by John B. Davidson
Original Music by Victor Zupanc
Based on the Fairytale by Charles Perrault Directed by Peter C. Brosius UnitedHealth Group Stage
November 12 - January 5
Recommended for all ages

The holiday hit is coming back to the stage in this raucous production updated to wondrously wacky perfection. You have not truly experienced the magic and spectacle of the downtrodden would-be princess until you've seen it at CTC performed in the enduringly popular panto style with the cross- dressing stepsisters everyone loves to hate. The CTC Acting Company turns this classic fairy tale on its head with side-splitting physical comedy and enough romance and splendor to soften hearts and inspire audiences of all ages to seek their happily ever after.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favorites

Produced by Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia Adapted, directed, and designed by Jim Morrow Music by Steven Naylor
Narrated by Gordon Pinsent

UnitedHealth Group Stage January 14 - February 23 Grades Preschool +

The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Little Cloud and The Mixed-up Chameleon by award-winning children's book illustrator and writer, Eric Carle, will be on stage in black light with colorful puppets pulled straight from the pages of the beloved books. Follow the brave journeys of three of Eric Carle's most treasured stories retold on stage by Nova Scotia's Mermaid Theatre, whose unique adaptations of children's literature have delighted millions of young people spanning four continents. As part of CTC's Community Access program, performances in multiple languages will be scheduled.

The Scarecrow and His Servant

By Jeffrey Hatcher
Based on the book by Philip Pullman Directed by Peter C. Brosius UnitedHealth Group Stage
March 11 - April 6
Grades 3+

The internationally celebrated Philip Pullman's timely book is presented on stage for the first time in this madcap world premiere that is as provocative as it is funny. When a lightning strike suddenly brings the Scarecrow to life, he sets out on an elaborate quest for fame, valor, and romance (with a fickle broom). The scarecrow is joined by a sharp-witted peasant boy as they fight hunger, the greedy Buffalonis and their poison factory, and theatre owners who don't recognize the importance of a prop as they make their way back home to Spring Valley. The contrary Scarecrow may argue with stubborn road signs along the way, but he would give his servant boy the coat off his back with his back still attached.

Shrek the Musical

Music by Jeanine Tesori
Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire
Based on the Dreamworks Animation Motion Picture and the book by William Steig Directed by Peter Rothstein
UnitedHealth Group Stage
April 22 - June 8
Recommended for all ages

In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won't shut up, a bad guy with a short temper, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you've got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there's one on hand...and his name is Shrek. From the imaginations of Pulitzer Prize- winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire and Tony Award nominee Jeanine Tesori, Shrek the Musical, is part romance, part twisted fairy tale and irreverent fun for everyone!

Balloonacy

By Barry Kornhauser Directed by Peter C. Brosius Cargill Stage
March 25 - May 4
Grades Preschool +

A solitary old man is steadfast in his silent routine until a balloon finds him and insists on becoming his friend. Through all the ups and downs of a new relationship, the Balloon teaches the man to play again. This sweet, often silly world premiere will lift your spirit and draw a big smile on your face. This play was the winner of the American Association of Theatre in Education Distinguished Play Award, and audiences will see it first at CTC.

Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat

Based on the book The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
Play originally produced by The National Theatre of Great Britain Adapted and originally directed by Katie Mitchell
Directed by Jason Ballweber
Cargill Stage

May 22 - July 20 Grades Pre-K+

Back by Popular Demand!

From the moment his tall, red-and-white-striped hat appears around the door, Sally and her brother know that the Cat in the Hat is the most mischievous cat they have ever met. With the trickiest of tricks and craziest of ideas, he is certainly fun to play with-and he can turn a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure. But, when the Cat releases Thing One and Thing Two from his box of tricks, havoc ensues, leaving the children to wonder whatever to do! The previous run at CTC sold out with an extended run, so we are bringing it back just for you.

Following a wildly successful 12/13 season with record-breaking attendance and ticket sales, Children's Theatre Company is delighted to announce another outstanding collection of plays headed to our stages. In order to ensure the most flexible scheduling and greatest value CTC encourages patrons to purchase subscriptions. Subscription packages for up to six plays go on sale February 28 at 10:00 a.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact CTC's box office at 612.874.0400 or visit our newly renovated web site www.childrenstheatre.org.

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is the first theatre for young people to win the coveted Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theater (2003). Founded in 1965, CTC serves nearly 250,000 people annually and is one of the 20 largest theater companies in the nation. The company is noted for defining worldwide standards for youth theatre with an innovative mix of classic tales, celebrated international productions and challenging new work.