BWW Preview: The Coterie Theatre's 2014-2015 Season - From Rosa Parks to Frog and Toad

The Coterie Theatre in Kansas City, Mo. announced, "A miraculous journey is about to begin . . . 2014-2015 Season of Live Theatre." The new season will bring six productions to the stage, each lasting between 50 minutes and an hour and 15 minutes.

Rosa Parks and The Montgomery Bus Boycott written by Sue Greenberg opens the Coterie season on September 23. Brad Shaw directs the production, which includes uplifting songs of the times and a dynamic cast. Rosa Parks, a black upstanding member of the community, refuses to give up her seat to a white man and subsequently is jailed. The Montgomery, Alabama community stages a boycott to protest bus segregation, which is led by a young pastor, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The play runs from September 23 through October 19, 2014.

Based on "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" an animated television special, the play Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical opens on November 4. Adapted from a story by Robert L. May and the song by Johnny Marks, with music and lyrics by Marks, the production is directed by Artistic Director Jeff Church. Join Rudolph™ and friends Clarice™, Hermey the Elf™, and Yukon Cornelius™ as their adventures teach what makes you different can be what makes you special. The play runs from November 4 through January 4, 2015.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, written by Dwayne Hartford and from a book by Kate DiCamillo opens on January 27. David Saar directs the Coterie production about Edward Tulane a three-foot tall rabbit. On a cruise ship, Edward who is made of china and cannot move is thrown overboard by mean boys and his odyssey begins. After bouts of damage and humiliation, he finds he can now open his heart to others. The play runs from January 27 through March 1.

Conceived and directed by Coterie Artistic Director Jeff Church, To Whom It May Inspire (in letters, stories, and song) will open at the Coterie on March 3. Church has shaped speeches, letters, accounts, poems, songs, and more covering everything from career to words of persuasion past and present. The play runs March 3 through March 8.

Based on a book by Dr. Seuss, Katie Mitchell has written Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat, which opens March 31. "It is fun to have fun, but you have to know how!" says the Cat in the tall red and white hat. Heidi Van directs Sally and her brother, their pet fish, Thing 1 and Thing 2, and favorite moments from the Dr. Seuss tale. The play runs from March 31 through May 17.

Closing out the season for the Coterie is A Year with Frog and Toad, from a book and lyrics by Willie Reale, with music by Robert Reale, and based on the books by Arnold Lobel. Part vaudeville, part make-believe the musical tells the story of friendship that endures. The jazzy upbeat score presents the whole family with an inventive, exuberant, and enchanting musical. The play runs from June 16 to August 2, 2015.

Purchase tickets at The Coterie website or call the box office at 816-474-6552.