The Coterie Opens BUD, NOT BUDDY, 4/9

The Coterie presents Bud, Not Buddy, a jazz-era mystery set in the Midwest about the adventures of Bud, a young boy whose search for his father - who he is convinced is a prominent jazz musician - sets him off a humorous and heartwarming journey that leads him to a new understanding of 'family.' Directed by Scot Copeland, Bud, Not Buddy runs April 9 - May 24, 2013.

ABOUT THE PLAY

Bud's momma never told him who his father was but leaves a clue, leading him to roadhouse band, the Dusky Devastators. This comic Oliver Twist story follows Bud "not Buddy" Caldwell as he attempts to solve the mystery, guided by his hilarious self-written book Bud Caldwell's Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Out of Yourself. He escapes a monster-infested woodshed, hitches a ride in a supposed vampire's car, and catches up with the Dusky Devastators. As the band takes Bud under their wing, he finds a new family - one that's different than he ever expected.

Adapted by Reginald Andre Jackson, Bud, Not Buddy is based on the beloved novel by Christopher Paul Curtis, who also wrote the critically-acclaimed book, The Watsons Go to Birmingham, produced on stage by The Coterie in 2005. Originally published in 1999, Bud, Not Buddy is the first novel to receive both the Newbery Medal, for excellence in American children's literature, and the Coretta Scott King Award, an award honoring outstanding African American authors. Jackson's stage adaptation won the Distinguished Play Award from The American Alliance for Theatre and Education in 2010.

Produced as part of THE COTERIE Shines series, Bud, Not Buddy will be best be appreciated by elementary age through adult. The production is funded in part by the Missouri Arts Council, ArtsKC Fund, and Theater League.

SPECIAL POST-PERFORMANCE EVENTS

Each Friday night during the run of Bud, Not Buddy, The Coterie invites audiences to stay after the show for something extra special. At no extra charge, audiences are invited to help Bud, Not Buddy star, Aaron Branch, try out new material for his family-friendly stand-up act. Aaron is a multi-talented actor, musician and stand-up comedian from Kansas City who Coterie audiences will recognize from his roles in The Wiz, Frindle, and A Star Ain't Nothin' But a Hole in Heaven. At age 16, Aaron won the title of Best Comedian in Kansas City at Stanford and Sons Comedy Club.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

The cast of Bud, Not Buddy features Aaron Branch, Granvile O'Neal, Elijah Murray, Eboni Fondren, Ron Lackey, Enjoli Gavin, Tosin Morohunfola, Brad Shaw, and Martin Buchanan. The artistic and Production Company includes Scot Copeland (director), Courtney O'Neil (set designer), Georgianna Londre Buchanan (costume designer), Art Kent (lighting designer), Ron MeGee (properties), Paul Carrol Binkley (composer), Dan Brewer (sound designer), Daniel C. Warneke (sound engineer), Amy M. Abels Owen (production stage manager), Scott Hobart (technical director & master carpenter), and Luci Kersting (production assistant & deck manager).

SHOW DATES, TIMES & TICKETS

The Coterie, now in its 34th Season and named "One of the Five Best Theaters for Young Audiences in the U.S." by TIME magazine, will perform Bud, Not Buddy April 9 - May 24, 2013, in The Coterie Theatre located on level one of Crown Center Shops in Kansas City, MO. Press Night will be held on Friday, April 12, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $10.00 for youth under 18, full-time students, and seniors age 60 and older, and $15.00 for adults. Groups of 20 or more pay only $5.50 per person for weekday performances or $6.50 per person for weekend performances (with advance order). Tickets may be purchased by calling Coterie's box office at (816) 474-6552, dropping by the box office on level one of the Crown Center Shops, or by visiting www.thecoterie.org.