CTC Announces Its 2018-19 Season
By: Stephi Wild Feb. 16, 2018
Children's Theatre Company is proud to announce its 2018-2019 Season, which includes eight productions, four commissioned premieres, three musicals, and one preschool production. The season consists of 3 ½ more weeks of performances over last year's schedule and includes summer programming.
The season begins in July 2018 with the world premiere of The Best Summer Ever!, written and performed by local storytelling treasure Kevin Kling and will be directed by Peter C. Brosius. Kling has written for CTC in the past, however this will be the first time he takes the stage at CTC to perform in a work. This production is based on stories Kling has created about the true Minnesotan summer experience. Next is the new musical, Last Stop on Market Street, written by Cheryl L. West, directed by Henry Godinez, and music co-written by Lamont Dozier and his son Paris Ray Dozier. Lamont, who has penned and produced 14 #1 hits on the Billboard charts (such as "Baby I need Your Loving," "How Sweet It Is," "Reach Out, I'll Be There," and "You Can't Hurry Love"), was a member of the Grammy Award-winning Holland-Dozier-Holland trio, praised for creating much of the Motown sound. You can learn more about the music-writing duo in this interview with Paris Ray Dozier. Third in the season is the world premiere of I Come from Arizona, written by Carlos Murillo and directed by Lisa Portes. The poignant and timely play explores the story of Gabi, a 14-year-old girl who discovers her parents have undocumented immigrant status, a secret they kept from her believing it would keep her safe. In today's world of immigration raids and Dreamers, fear and uncertainty, Gabi inspires a modern-day lesson in bravery, courage, and finding power in what seems like a powerless situation. The holiday season brings the back-by-popular-demand return of Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas, starring CTC Company Member Reed Sigmund in his now-signature role of the Grinch and will be directed by Peter C. Brosius. January will bring the highly entertaining British tour of Mr. Popper's Penguins, directed by Emma Earle. The New York Times praises its "snappy lyrics, ingenious life-sized puppets, and visual surprises." Spring brings the final world premiere of the season, a new production of The Hobbit, created/directed by Greg Banks (creator of CTC's acclaimed The Jungle Book, Huck Finn, and Pinocchio). The production follows the epic journey of the unlikely hero, Bilbo Baggins to save the fate of Middle Earth. Next will be a reprise of the favorite CTC preschool production of The Biggest Little House in the Forest, written by Rosanna Staffa and starring CTC Company Member Autumn Ness. It was recently announced that Ness is a recipient of the Theatre Communications Group Fox Fellowship where she plans to explore writing new works for early childhood/preschool audiences. The season will end with Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical. Based on the beloved book, the production won five Tony Awards when it premiered on Broadway in 2013, running for over 1,500 performances, and multiple global tours. This will be the first time Matilda the Musical is produced by a Minnesota theatre.
"This season brings remarkable theatre from truly amazing artists-some we have already had the pleasure of seeing their work on our stage, and others we are excited to introduce to you," stated Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius. "We are thrilled that in this season the amazing Kevin Kling will be performing his stories on our stage for the very first time. Cheryl L. West-who has delighted us with Akeelah and the Bee and Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy-returns with Last Stop in Market Street, a musical full of heart and discovery. Greg Banks who has brought us breathtaking productions in the past has adapted The Hobbit with verve and imagination. This season also introduces new playwrights to CTC, like Carlos Murillo with I Come from Arizona, a powerful and lyrical piece about facing your greatest challenge and new directors such as Lisa Portes, Emma Earle, and Henry Godinez, whose work has delighted audiences across the country and around the world. It also brings beloved productions back to our stage like Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Rosanna Staffa's The Biggest Little House in the Forest. And we close with a wholly new CTC production of the Olivier and Tony Award-winning Matilda the Musical from the extraordinary book by Roald Dahl. It is a season of surprises, of new voices, and of tales reimagined with energy, theatricality, and love. We can't wait to share it all with you."
"The power of stories told in a shared environment bonds families and creates powerful, lifelong memories," stated Managing Director Kimberly Motes. "Young people are the most important audience as they are our future leaders. We take our responsibilities seriously to illuminate stories that create empathetic, global citizens. These eight important productions fully realize our mission to educate, challenge, and inspire young people, connecting them to their communities."
Season subscriptions are on sale now at https://childrenstheatre.org/tickets/subscribe. Subscription packages include full season options to flexible packaging and value-priced preview and opening weekend packages. Single tickets for The Best Summer Ever! will go on sale April 25, 2018. Single tickets for the remaining productions will go on sale June 26, 2018.
CHILDREN'S THEATRE COMPANY'S 2018-2019 SEASON
The Best Summer Ever!
Written by Kevin Kling
Music by Victor Zupanc
Directed by Peter C. Brosius
A Children's Theatre Company World Premiere Production
Best Enjoyed by Ages 8 and Up
July 12 - 29, 2018
UnitedHealth Group Stage
Minnesota's own celebrated storyteller, comic genius, and kid-at-heart Kevin Kling takes the stage in this irresistibly lighthearted and oh-so-charming one-man show. School is out, and we see summer through the eyes of nine-year-old Maurice. With highs as high as the Paul Bunyan waterslide and lows as low as a tuba in the Fourth of July parade, this sweet series of stories is about family, life's surprises, and the great delight of what seem to be disasters becoming your favorite memories.
"I'm really excited about performing at CTC this summer," stated Playwright and Actor Kevin Kling. "It's been a dream to have plays produced here, like Lyle the Crocodile, Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, and Mississippi Panorama - the productions are always incredible. This story combines the art of storytelling and the magic of theater to tell the tale of Maurice, which everyone pronounces 'Morris', a nine-year-old boy with a vivid imagination. I can't wait, I have a feeling that getting to perform The Best Summer Ever! at CTC is going to make this the best summer ever."
Last Stop on Market Street
Based on the Newbery Award-winning book by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson
Adapted for the stage by Cheryl L. West
Music and lyrics by Paris Ray Dozier and Lamont Dozier
Directed by Henry Godinez
Co-commissioned with the Chicago Children's Theatre
A Children's Theatre Company Commissioned Premiere Production
Best Enjoyed by Ages 5 and Up
September 15 - October 21, 2018
UnitedHealth Group Stage
Proudly sponsored by Target
Six-year-old CJ is (reluctantly) staying with his (extremely over-the-top) Nana, in a world considerably different from the one he's used to (his phone and tablet). The disagreeable (and let's just admit it, whiny) child is dragged on a bus ride that's loud and gritty and weird. Guided by his veritable force-of-nature Nana, CJ travels a little closer to his roots and sees that things are not always what they seem. This is one wild and crazy, hip-hop, eclectic, heart-thumpin', toe-tappin' joy ride.
Adapting the delightful Last Stop on Market Street has been a pure joy," enthused Playwright Cheryl L. West. "Of course we had to expand the story for stage, but the aim was to always stay true to the joyous magic and beauty of CJ and his Nana's journey. I'm hoping the audience will 'get on the bus' with us and ride along as we experience Nana's nuggets of wisdom and CJ's evolution from a rather sheltered boy to one who discovers another world while simultaneously learning different doesn't always mean bad. Plus, we get to enjoy wonderful foot stomping, body-wiggling music along the way."
I Come from Arizona
An adaptation of Augusta and Noble
Written by Carlos Murillo
Directed by Lisa Portes
A Children's Theatre Company World Premiere Production
Best Enjoyed by Ages 8 and Up
October 9 - November 25, 2018
Cargill Stage
Gabi Castillo, a bright, 14-year-old Mexican-American girl living on the South Side of Chicago, is accepted into a very different, elite high school. Through her Global Perspectives class, she learns secrets about her past and her parents, discovers her own inherited strength, and begins to understand what it means to take risks. In today's world of immigration raids and Dreamers, fear and uncertainty, Gabi inspires a modern-day lesson in bravery, courage, and finding power in what seems like a powerless situation.
"It seems nearly every day now we hear stories of ICE picking up folks-fathers, mothers, brothers, uncles-and deporting them back to their country of origin," stated Director Lisa Portes. "Just the other day I heard a story on NPR about a mother holed up in a sanctuary church, getting her kids ready for school, and walking them to the door of the church, unable to step outside for fear of the ICE agents waiting outside. The kids don't fully understand what's happening. I Come From Arizona tells the story of a U.S. born Mexican-American teenager coming to understand exactly what's happening. Gabi Castillo, like so many American schoolkids, must face the complexities of immigration in this country and how they directly affect her, her little brother, Jesús, and her parents, Reymundo, and Dolores."
Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Based on the book How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss
Book and lyrics by Timothy Mason
Music by Mel Marvin
Directed by Peter C. Brosius
Choreographed by Linda Talcott Lee
A Children's Theatre Company Original Production
Best Enjoyed by Everyone
November 6, 2018 - January 6, 2019
UnitedHealth Group Stage
A miserly and miserable, ever-so-cantankerous Grinch has witnessed the despicable Christmas joy of the Whos with disdain, from a distance, for decades. Enough! In this favorite holiday story, filled with music and Seussian rhymes, he conceives a dastardly plot to destroy what they love It's the smallest of the Whos tiny Cindy Lou, who extends a hand. Through the combination of kindness and community, we witness not only a change in the course of Who-History, but also the size and capacity of the old green guy's heart.
"Over the years, I've been gifted the opportunity to portray a wide variety of fantastic characters on the CTC stage," stated CTC Company Member Reed Sigmund. "After each production, I bid farewell to each character, and they depart into the ether, possessing a piece of my affection. Some characters, however, never leave me. The Grinch is one of those characters. The Grinch carries a soul with such depth and richness that I never tire of exploring each and every nook and cranny of his complex personality. As I prepare to don the green fur once again, I giddily wonder what new discoveries I will make in this production. Let's get started!"
Mr. Popper's Penguins
Presented by Children's Theatre Company in association with Kenny Wax Family Entertainment & TC Beech
Based on the novel by Richard and Florence Atwater
Adapted for the stage by Pins and Needles Productions
Music by Luke Bateman
Lyrics by Richy Hughes
Directed by Emma Earle
Best Enjoyed by Ages 4 and Up
January 15 - February 24, 2019
UnitedHealth Group Stage
Proudly sponsored by Deluxe
It is hard enough for Mr. Popper, a modest painter, to support himself and his family, and the unexpected addition of twelve penguins makes it even tougher. But then! The imaginative Popper turns his talented penguins into a traveling vaudeville act. They sing! They dance! They become a theatrical sensation and give a must-see Penguiny performance! Applause! Applause! This play shows you a wild and witty way to follow your dreams.
"We're delighted that our adaptation of Mr. Popper's Penguins is coming to CTC," stated Director Emma Earle. "Just like the story, our performing penguins are traveling all over the world! We hope audiences are charmed by this story of a humble house painter with big dreams and his family of flippy, flappy penguins."
The Biggest Little House in the Forest
Based on the book by Djemma Bider
Adapted for the stage by Rosanna Staffa
Music by Victor Zupanc
Directed by Peter C. Brosius
A Children's Theatre Company Original Production
Best Enjoyed by Preschoolers
January 29 - March 10, 2019
Cargill Stage
Meet Bernice the butterfly, who discovers a vacant house one day and makes it perfect just for her. Before long, a menagerie of creatures begin moving in one by one. While it's difficult for Bernice, she accommodates...until...she can "bear" no more. Together they discover when you open your heart, there's always room for more. The audience joins the newfound family of delightful critters to bring it all to life. Get ready for a pillow fight, bubble bath, and dance party as you help them create a very special version of Home, Sweet Home.
"I was given the book The Biggest Little House in the Forest when my kids were little and I kept marveling at their joy and intense attention when we read it together," stated Playwright Rosanna Staffa. "It was their emotional response that made me look at the story more attentively. Each character made a little magic and believed in welcoming others. Even the blunder of the big bear is forgiven and turns into a beautiful act of creativity. There is a sense of fairness to the story, as everybody is welcome, and adversity can be overcome by a generous spirit. Even more important to me, family can also be made by strangers, united by one desire we all experience: to have a place to call home."
The Hobbit
Based on the book The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, Licensed by Middle-earth Enterprises
Adapted for the stage and Directed by Greg Banks
Music by Tom Johnson
A Children's Theatre Company World Premiere Production
Best Enjoyed by Ages 8 and Up
March 12 - April 14, 2019
UnitedHealth Group Stage
Our unlikely hero, Bilbo Baggins, would much rather be sitting in his cozy Hobbit Hole with a cup of tea and a plate of bacon and eggs. However, he somehow finds himself on a magically mystical adventure. Staged with speed and surprises, you'll be delighted as things change before your very eyes. Discover what happens as Bilbo travels on an epic journey over freezing mountains and a frightening forest, meeting all sorts of fierce creatures-some who want to eat him, others who turn into dear friends.
"My particular challenge in adapting the story has been to capture the vast scale of the adventure they embark upon in order to find justice and to reclaim what is rightfully theirs," stated Playwright/Director Greg Banks. "The Hobbit speaks of issues that have enormous resonance today. Bilbo Baggins our reluctant hero is encouraged to step outside of his comfortable life in order to help others who have lost everything. To lead a band of Dwarves who have had their homeland, their way of life, and their wealth, taken from them-this is a scenario that we see echoed around the world today. Figuring out how to avoid being eaten by Trolls, scale mountains, flee goblins, ride rivers in barrels, and fight dragons has been an adventure in itself! I still have to fight off several armies! If I make it out alive, I hope you enjoy the adventure as much as I have, whilst adapting and directing this extraordinary story."
Roald Dahl's MATILDA The Musical
Book by Dennis Kelly
Music and Lyrics by Tim Minchin
Orchestrations and Additional Music by Chris Nightingale
Directed by Peter C. Brosius
Choreographed by Linda Talcott Lee
Best Enjoyed by Ages 6 and Up
April 28 - June 23, 2019
UnitedHealth Group Stage
Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, this is the story of Matilda. Her dreadful parents hate her. Her headmistress is a horrible, nasty, name-calling, life-sucking tyrant who puts kids in cupboards with nails and broken glass. (And you thought you had it bad.) This captivating girl-power romp revels in the anarchy of childhood. Celebrating the tenacity of the small, Matilda proves that the strength to be yourself (along with a little telekinetic power) will prevail at the end of the day.
Artistic Director and Director Peter C. Brosius stated, "I am thrilled to bring Matilda the Musical to CTC and our audiences. Tim Minchkin and Dennis Kelly have taken Roald Dahl's beloved book and brought that fierce and hilarious world to exuberant life. Matilda celebrates the power and grit of a remarkable girl-fierce, determined, magical. She is unbowed and unbroken by her totally insane and terribly cruel world. I love that Matilda is able to find the resources inside herself to not only change her own life, but also the lives of all those around her. It is a celebration of what one child can do and the power we all have inside ourselves."
Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is the nation's largest and most acclaimed theatre for young people and serves a multigenerational audience. It creates theatre experiences that educate, challenge, and inspire for nearly 275,000 people annually. CTC is the only theatre focused on young audiences to win the coveted Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre and is the only theatre in Minnesota to receive three Tony nominations (for its production of A Year with Frog and Toad). CTC is committed to creating world class productions at the highest level and to developing new works, more than 200 to date, dramatically changing the canon of work for young audiences.
CTC's engagement and learning programs annually serve more than 85,000 young people and their communities through Theatre Arts Training, student matinees, Neighborhood Bridges, and early childhood arts education programs. ACT One is CTC's comprehensive platform for access, diversity, and inclusion in our audiences, programs, staff, and board that strives to ensure the theatre is a home for all people, all families, reflective of our community. www.childrenstheatre.org
Photo Credit: Dan Norman
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