Photo Flash: First Look At Flint Repertory Theatre & CollaborationTown's RIDDLE OF THE TRILOBITES

NYC theater company COLLABORATIONTOWN and FLINT REPERTORY THEATRE are proud to announce the World Premiere of RIDDLE OF THE TRILOBITES, in a co-production presented at Flint Repertory Theatre in Flint, Michigan, March 1-10, 2019, in advance of a New York Premiere in 2020.

RIDDLE OF THE TRILOBITES is a musical for all ages created by COLLABORATIONTOWN, co-created and directed by Lee Sunday Evans, featuring a book by Geo Decas O'Donnell & Jordan Seavey, lyrics by Geo Decas O'Donnell, Jordan Seavey & Nicholas Williams, Music, Orchestration & Arrangements by Nicholas Williams, Puppet Design by Amanda Villalobos and Puppet Direction by Pam Arciero.

The cast features Julia Rose Duray (RIOT ANTIGONE, La MaMa E.T.C.), Zach Fike Hodges (PUBLIC ENEMY, Pearl Theatre Co.), Sifiso Mabena (RED HILLS, En Garde Arts), Mia Pak (HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL, Pacific Repertory Theatre), Richard Saudek (EAGER TO LOSE, Ars Nova) & Phillip Taratula (Taylor Mac's THE LILY'S REVENGE).

The design team includes Scenic Design by Deb O, Costume Design by Katherine Nelson , Lighting Design by Eric Southern and Sound Design by Kate Marvin.

RIDDLE OF THE TRILOBITES is an epic musical adventure for all ages, set underwater 500 million years ago, when trilobites - one of the most successful of all early animals - ruled the ocean floor. Amidst major ecological changes in the sea, one young trilobite named Aphra molts for the first time to discover one-of-a-kind markings on her shell. The markings prophecy she must solve an ancient riddle of her species - "The Trilobites Cannot Live, But Will Not Die..." Aphra and her best friends set off on a journey to find out if the ocean is really changing - and what can be done about it.

CollaborationTown's Jordan Seavey says, "We're thrilled to mark the 15th anniversary of our company CollaborationTown by working with Flint Repertory Theatre on our most ambitious show to date - a prehistoric saga based on real-life science, featuring 13 original songs and a multitude of incredible puppets - which children and adults alike will love. We hope this play about our connection to, and impact on, our planet will resonate in especially meaningful ways with the families of Flint, a community that still doesn't have clean water to drink. It's a story with challenging themes which are more timely now than ever - family, loss, the importance of caring for our planet, and extinction - told with surprising humor and heart."

Flint Repertory Theatre's Producing Artistic Director Michael Lluberes says, "We are so thrilled to be working with CollaborationTown on this world premiere puppet musical! CollaborationTown is an extraordinary group of theatre makers creating some of the most exciting theatre in the country right now. I know our audiences are going be wowed by these amazing puppet creations and delighted with the wit and whimsy of the words and music. Flint audiences are going to be able to see this work before anybody else in the world. And, through our "Learning Through Theatre" Program generously sponsored by David E. and Joanne M. Wood, hundreds of Genesee County school children will get to see the show for free or at a discounted rate."

RIDDLE OF THE TRILOBITES was developed in New Victory Theater's LabWorks. Additional support provided by The New York State Council on the Arts, The Nancy Quinn Fund, and The Jim Henson Foundation. In Flint, the production is sponsored by Dr. Erick and Gloria VanDuyne.

RIDDLE OF THE TRILOBITES will have 14 performances, March 1-10, 2019, at Flint Repertory Theatre in Elgood Theater, 1220 E Kearsley St, Flint, MI, 48503. For tickets, go to FlintRep.org or call The Ticket Center at 810-237-7333.

Photo Credit: Mike Naddeo