BWW Reviews: Dallas Children's Theater Celebrates Summer with STUART LITTLE

JUNE 13- JULY 13, 2014

DCT continues its celebration of author E.B. White by following its critically acclaimed production of CHARLOTTE'S WEBwith STUART LITTLE. There's a mouse in our house! This summer, join Dallas Children's Theater on a big adventure with STUART LITTLE playing in the Baker Theater at the Rosewood Center for Family Arts from June 13 through July 13.

Meet The Littles. They're a typical American family living in New York City. Their eldest son, George, loves ping-pong, and the youngest son, Stuart, is every parent's dream. He's smart, polite, well dressed and small enough to retrieve lost rings in the bathtub drain. Stuart's different. Well... he's a mouse, but nobody seems to notice or care except Snowbell, the family cat. He may only be two inches tall, but Stuart's a giant when it comes to friendship and bravery.

Guest artist K. Doug Miller returns to the director's chair of DCT's STUART LITTLE following his 2012-2013 hit THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITLE PIGS! He brings his talent and vision to a highly entertaining yet classic tale that reminds us of a simpler more innocent time.

DCT's National Tour Director, Sally Fiorello, says, "STUART LITTLE is an endearing classic with characters and situations that hold a special place in the hearts of young and old alike, and DCT's production remains faithful to E.B. White's beloved book." Fiorello continues, "Although audiences may be familiar with Columbia Pictures' 1999 feature film, this adaptation by Joseph Robinette remains true to the original story and preserves all of its wisdom, charm, and quirky humor."

STUART LITTLE AUTHOR - E.B. WHITE

Children's author, Elwyn Brooks White, is best known for his stories in which animals take on human characteristics, Trumpet of the Swan and Charlotte's Web. But, Mr. White had this to say about his tiny hero, "...Stuart Little appeared to me in a dream, all complete, with his hat, his cane, and his brisk manner. Since he was the only fictional figure ever to honor and disturb my sleep, I was deeply touched and felt that I was not free to change him into a grasshopper or wallaby..." In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the book, Harper Collins has released an updated edition that includes colorization of the Garth Williams original illustrations.

JOSEPH ROBINETTE - STORY THEATER

Playwright Joseph Robinette has adapted STUART LITTLE in the style of Story Theater. Story Theater uses narrative to link various episodes together. It simply defines a style of theater that lies somewhere between storytelling and the acted-out play. Story Theater also engages the audiences' imagination.

In keeping with the style of Story Theater, DCT's STUART LITTLE includes an ensemble of actors that play numerous roles, except for the actor portraying Stuart. Actors assume new characters and change locations with the help of scenery, props and numerous costume pieces

SYNOPSIS

STUART LITTLE tells the surprising story of a most unusual mouse who happens to be born into an ordinary New York City family. In no time at all, his life becomes a series of adventures and misadventures as he learns to survive in his super sized world of humans.

First, the well-dressed Stuart is trapped in a window-blind while doing his exercises, and Snowbell, the malevolent family cat, places his little hat and cane outside a mouse hole, panicking the whole family. Stuart then sails to victory in an exciting boat race in Central Park. Very soon, the Little family adopts a beautiful bird named Margalo who becomes Stuart's best friend. Unfortunately, Margalo is forced to flee the city when she is warned that one of Snowbell's friends intends to eat her.

Leaving his home and family behind, Stuart sets out in a gasoline-powered model car on his most thrilling adventure of all - to see the country and bring Margalo home. Along the way, he encounters a variety of colorful characters and exciting situations that test his spirit. Hopeful and determined in his quest to find Margalo, Stuart discovers the true meaning of life, loyalty and friendship.

STUART LITTLE is recommended for audiences of all ages and proves that great things do come in small packages!

CAST

Stuart Little - Randall Scott Carpenter

Mr. Little /Ensemble -Nathaniel P. Reid

George/Snowbell/Ensemble -Justin Duncan

Mrs. Little/Ensemble -Kathryn Taylor Rose

Margalo/Ensemble -J?d Saxton

Angie/Mrs. Morrison/Ensemble -Sky Williams

ARTISTIC TEAM

Produced by Sally Fiorello

Directed by K. Doug Miller

Set Design by H. Bart McGeehon

Costumes by Laurie Land

Lighting by Jason Lynch

Sound Design by Marco Salinas

Properties Design by Anna Klawiter

Stage Manager/Technical Director/Audio Engineer -Ryan Tolzman

Lighting Director/Assistant Stage Manager -Robert Molina

Dallas Children's Theater

Rosewood Center for Family Arts

5938 Skillman Street

Dallas, Texas 75231

PERFORMANCE DATES AND TIMES:

Friday - June 13, 20 - 7:30 pm

Saturdays - June 14, 21, 28, & July 12 - 1:30 pm

Saturdays - June 14, 21, & 28 - 4:30 pm

Sundays - June 15, 22, 29 and July 13 - 1:30 pm

Sundays - June 22, 29 and July 13 - 4:30 pm

NO PERFORMANCES JULY 4, 5 & 6 FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY

DCT is pleased to offer its second sensory-friendly performance, giving children with autism and others who need adaptations the opportunity to comfortably experience live theater with their families. This performance on Saturday, July 12 at 4:30 pm is $5 per person and interested patrons should call 214-740-0051 for tickets.

ASL interpretation performance June 29, 2014 - 4:30 pm

Ticket Prices: $13 - $26 (Prices subject to change. Call the box office for more information)

Box Office: 214-740-0051
Tickets also available on-line at www.dct.org

Weekday Student Matinee shows also available Tuesdays through Fridays. Please call ArtReach Booking at 214-219-2049.

The title sponsors for STUART LITTLE are Texas Instruments, Inc. and Texas Instruments Foundation.

Dallas Children's Theater's 2013-2014 Season is supported by Texas Instruments Foundation, Hoblitzelle Foundation, TACA, Hillcrest Foundation, The Shubert Foundation and Target. General sponsors include Texas Instruments, Inc.; Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation, the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, The Rosewood Foundation, The Larry Hagman Fund of the Dallas Foundation and the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs. Additional support is provided by Orien Levy Woolf & Dr. Jack Woolf Charitable Trust, The Holloway Family Foundation, Stemmons Foundation, American Airlines (The Official Airline of Dallas Children's Theater), Texas Commission on the Arts and Green Mountain Energy (DCT's official renewal energy partner).

To post a comment, you must register and login.

 

---

Join Team BroadwayWorld

Are you an avid theatergoer? We're looking for people like you to share your thoughts and insights with our readers. Team BroadwayWorld members get access to shows to review, conduct interviews with artists, and the opportunity to meet and network with fellow theatre lovers and arts workers.

Interested? Learn more here.

---