Hilberry Theatre Presents 'THADDEUS AND 'TILA (A CRANE AND FROG TALE), Now thru 6/27

The Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance is pleased to present its annual season of Summer Children's Theatre, this year featuring a performance of Thaddeus and 'Tila (A Crane and Frog Tale), winner of the 2004 Macy's New Play Prize for Young Audiences.

Thaddeus is a frog who dreams of flying. One day, 'Tila, a teenage crane with poor eyesight, crashes into Thaddeus' pond and a friendship quickly blossoms when he saves her life. When they find out bulldozers are on the way to clear the swamp and make way for a housing subdivision, Thaddeus and 'Tila must overcome the bullying of fellow swamp creatures, Mos and Sala, as well as their own personal obstacles to save themselves and their fellow swamp residents. Don't miss out on the excitement!

The production plays at the Hilberry Theatre this weekend, June 18 - 20 and June 25 - 27 at 10:30 a.m. as well as June 20 and June 27 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $5 for children (up to age 12) and $8 for adults. They may be purchased by calling 313-577-2972, visiting www.wsushows.com, or visiting the Wayne State University Box Office located at 4743 Cass Ave. on the corner of Hancock St.

"My vision of the play is 'Flying to a world of possibilities,'" says director Billicia Hines. "Even though he was bullied over it, Thaddeus held strong to his dream of flying. I hope the children of Detroit will be inspired to fly to their own world of possibilities. You may be surrounded by bad circumstances, but that should not deter you from staying positive and going after your dreams."

Thaddeus and 'Tila also tours Detroit Public Schools free-of-charge during the months of May and June, reaching over 5,000 students at 21 schools. This tour is part of an ongoing commitment to educational arts outreach by the Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance.

The Cast (In Alphabetical Order): Bonnie Holmes ('Tila), Jada Johnson (Mos), Tayler Jones (Thaddeus), Michaella Mallet (Sala), and Maria Simpkins (Birdie).

The Production Team: Billicia Charnelle Hines (Director), Stephanie Baugher (Scenic Designer), Anne Suchyta (Costume Designer), Mike Hallberg (Lighting Designer), Derek Graham (Sound Designer), Lyndee Hallahan (Stage Manager), Brian Dambacher (Technical Director), Jason Goldman (Publicist).

Wayne State University's Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance serves students as a nexus of performance, production, and research in the fields of dance, theatre, and performance studies. It provides a wide variety of degree programs that allow students the flexibility to study these disciplines broadly or to concentrate more specifically in performance, design, or management. The Hilberry Theatre hosts a professional theatre company that is staffed by graduate students and runs on a rotating repertory schedule. Each academic year, graduate students receive assistantships to work for the Hilberry Theatre and study for advanced degrees. The company performs and produces an annual season of six plays, including high school matinees for nearly 6,000 students. Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering more than 370 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 29,000 students.

Pictured: Bonnie Holmes as 'Tila (top left), Maria Simpkins as Birdie (top right), Tayler Jones as Thaddeus (down front)