Stages Theatre Company Announces 2019-2020 Season

Stages Theatre Company announces its 2019-2020 season, featuring a diverse blend of plays and musicals focusing on friendships, adventures, and discoveries. The Capture the Memories season's nine-show lineup includes four musical productions, four world-premieres, a dance collaboration with Escalate Dance & Theatre Studio, and a Theatre for the Very Young production for families to enjoy.

The stories are endless of the many memories that have been made at Stages Theatre Company. "We are passionate about engaging with our community, our audience and families through our on-stage productions and the programming we offer," said Sandy Boren-Barrett, Artistic Director. "We are proud to continue to offer unique opportunities for families to share memory-making experiences that will last beyond the time spent in the Theatre."

From a boy and his insect friends who land in New York City, to a jolly Elf, to a family and their flying car, and everyone in between, these characters and their stories of discovery are unforgettable. "This season your senses will come alive through the music, color, character, dance, and adventure on our stage," stated Boren-Barrett. "There is so much to capture the imagination this season, and we are excited to share it all with YOU."

2019-2020 SEASON PRODUCTIONS:

• Roald Dahl'S JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH

Words and Music by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul · Book by Timothy Allen McDonald · Based on the book James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

September 20-October 20, 2019 (ALL AGES)

Capture the journey of a lifetime with one of Roald Dahl's most heartwarmingly quirky stories. When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that results in a tremendous peach and launches a voyage of gigantic proportions. Featuring a wickedly tuneful score from the creative team of Dear Evan Hansen, this adventurous musical about courage and self-discovery will charm one and all.

James and the Giant Peach-TYA is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com

• SPOOKLEY THE SQUARE PUMPKIN

Stage play by Joe Troiano · Based on the film "Spookley the Square Pumpkin" by Joe Troiano and Tom Hughes and the book "The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin" by Joe Troiano · Lyrics by Joe Troiano · Music composed and arranged by Jeffrey Zahn · © Holiday Hill Enterprises, LLC

September 27-October 27, 2019 (ALL AGES)

Spookley the Square Pumpkin sprouts up this autumn in our Jaycees Studio! When Spookley arrives in the pumpkin patch he is teased by all the other pumpkins because of his odd shape. It takes a threatening storm to inspire Spookley to discover his own worth. This imaginative puppetry extravaganza filled with memorable music returns to encourage everyone to "dare to be square!"

All elements © and TM under license to Holiday Hill Enterprises, LLC

• ELF THE MUSICAL, JR.

Book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin · Music by Matthew Sklar · Lyrics by Chad Beguelin ·

Based on the New Line Cinema Film written by David Berenbaum

November 22 - December 28, 2019 (ALL AGES)

Join us this holiday season as we follow Buddy the Elf in his quest to find his true identity. Through his heart-felt determination to win over his new family, Buddy helps us all remember the true meaning of the season. Based on the beloved holiday film from New Line Cinema, this hilarious musical is filled with memorable music and lots of laughs for the whole family to enjoy.

ELF-THE MUSICAL JR. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com

• THE DOT

Based on the book by Peter H. Reynolds · © 2003 by Peter H. Reynolds · Originally published by Candlewick Press · Used with permission of Pippin Properties, Inc.

January 17 - February 17, 2020 (ALL AGES)

"Just make a dot and see where it takes you." When Vashti's teacher asks her to draw a picture, Vashti insists she's not an artist and makes an angry dot to prove her point. But when Vashti's teacher frames her dot and hangs it up, Vashti is sent on a surprising journey of self-discovery. This charming fable about the power of the creative spirit comes to life through music and dance this winter with our continuing collaboration with Escalate Dance.

• IRON HEARTED VIOLET

Based on the book by Kelly Barnhill · Copyright © 2012 by Kelly Barnhill

March 6 - 22, 2020 (Best enjoyed by 7+)

"In most fairy tales, princesses are beautiful, dragons are terrifying, and stories are harmless. This isn't most fairy tales." Join Violet and her best friend Demetrius as they pair with an ancient dragon to save their kingdom from the evil Nybbas. This enchanted tale by the Minneapolis-based, Newbery Wining author of The Girl Who Drank the Moon is an enthralling adventure about the power of stories to change the world.

• THE DAY YOU BEGIN

Based on the Book by Jacqueline Woodson · Illustrated by Rafael Lopez

April 17 - May 17, 2020 (All Ages)

There are lots of reasons to feel different, but this world premiere musical based on the book by National Book Award and Newbery Honor winning author of "Brown Girl Dreaming," Jacqueline Woodson, celebrates the bravery it takes to venture forth into something new. This highly-acclaimed, lyrical picture book by the National Ambassador for Young People's literature debuts on our stage in the spring and captures the courage to begin.

• A DIFFERENT POND

Based on the book by Bao Phi

April 24 - May 23, 2020 (Best enjoyed by 5+)

An unforgettable story of a pre-dawn fishing trip for a boy and his dad graces our JC Studio in the spring. Our world premiere, set on a lake shore in South Minneapolis and based on the Caldecott winning book by celebrated local poet, Bao Phi, unfolds through music and puppetry to reveal an important tale about immigration, and how a family faces daily struggles together.

• CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG

Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman · Music by Special Arrangement with Sony/ATV Publishing · Adapted for the Stage by Jeremy Sams · Based on the MGM Motion Picture ·

Licensed Script Adapted by Ray Roderick

June 19 - August 2, 2020 (All Ages)

Fly through the air and sail the seas this summer in this fantastical musical adventure based on the beloved film and children's book. Join Jeremy and Jemima and their eccentric inventor father as they create a one-of-a-kind, out-of-this-world car and team up with Truly Scrumptious and Grampa Potts to outwit the dastardly Baron Bomburst! The entire family will enjoy this adaptation filled with unforgettable music and capturing high-flying, fun-filled spectacle!

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com

• ALL THE WORLD (Theatre for the Very Young)

Written By Liz Garton Scanlon · Illustrated by Marla Frazee

August 5 - 23, 2020 (Ages 5 & Under)

Our Theatre for the Very Young Series continues this August as we invite our littlest theatre-goers to follow a circle of family and friends through the unfolding adventures of one day. From exploring the tiniest shell on the beach to the widest sunset in the sky our youngest audience members will discover the importance of all things great and small and be immersed in ALL THE WORLD through this Caldecott Honor story.

To purchase season tickets and individual tickets, please go online to www.stagestheatre.org or call the Box Office at (952) 979-1111, option 4, Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 6:00 pm.

MARCH 5: School Group tickets go on sale at 12 Noon.

MARCH 13: Season tickets go on sale at 12 Noon.

MARCH 19: Individual tickets go on sale at 12 Noon.

Group pricing is available for groups of 10 or more to all productions. Reservations are available by calling our Group Sales Manager at (952) 979-1119.

Ticket pricing: Ticket prices for the 2019-2020 season are: $16 for adults; $14 for children/students (ages 4-17) and seniors (60+); with lap passes available for free (ages 0-2) and $5 (ages 3-4).

Elf the Musical, Jr.: $25 for adults; $21 for seniors (60+); $18 for children/students (ages 2-17). Lap passes are available in lieu of a designated seat for $5 (ages 3-4) and free (ages 0-2).

All the World (Theatre for the Very Young) pricing: All tickets are $10 for ages 1 and up, with free lap passes available for ages 0-1.

Stages Theatre Company was founded in 1984 and since then has grown to become one of the largest professional theatres for young audiences in the country. We engage young artists with themes relevant to their lives and involve them in creating magical works featuring young people in meaningful roles. Through on-stage productions, education programs and other outreach opportunities, Stages Theatre Company annually serves more than 150,000 young people and their families. For more information visit stagestheatre.org

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