First Stage Presents THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD, Closes 2/13

First Stage's final performance of THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD, based on the children's classic tale, will take place on February 13, 2011 at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut Street in Milwaukee. Tickets can be purchased by phone at (414) 267-2961 or online at www.FirstStage.org.

This musical is based on the classic children's story by Watty Piper. A train full of toys is waiting to go to the good little girls and boys on the other side of the imposing mountain. The Little Blue Engine may be the smallest, but it's the only train willing to step up to the task. Young audience members will learn the value of perseverance and self-confidence as they watch, hope and cheer the Little Engine over the mountain.

THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD is the second of two First Steps series productions of First Stage's 2010-2011 season. The First Steps series is designed to introduce children ages 3 to 6 and their families to the theater in a fun, interactive environment. With smaller audiences, these productions engage and involve young people through stories and familiar characters in an intimate environment.

Director John Maclay has been First Stage's Associate Artistic Director and Theater Academy Director since 2003. Most recently, John directed AESOP'S FABLES, JUNIE B. JONES AND A LITTLE MONKEY BUSINESS, IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE, HOW I BECAME A PIRATE, WITNESS, FERDINAND THE BULL, GREEN GABLES and THE SHAKESPEARE STEALER. John has also directed productions for the Young Company, First Stage's pre-professional training program for high school students, including ROMEO AND JULIET, MACBETH, PETER AND THE WOLF, THE BODY OF CHRISTOPHER CREED and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. As an actor, John has appeared at First Stage in MY SON PINOCCHIO, A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD, THE QUILTMAKER'S GIFT, PERSEUS BAYOU, HOLES and MIKE MULLIGAN AND HIS STEAM SHOVEL. In addition to working at First Stage, John serves as an adjunct assistant professor of theatre with the Carthage College.

The adult actor in THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD is Ron Lee (Member of Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional Actors and Stage Managers, as Various Engines). Young performer roles are double-cast. The young performers in the "Steam" cast of THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD are Mitch Bultman (as Ensemble 3) of Wauwatosa, Dietrich Heiss (as Ensemble 4) of Oak Creek, Kamilah Lay (as Little Engine) of Milwaukee, Anna Wolfe (as Ensemble 1) of Shorewood and Jenna Wolfsohn (as Ensemble 2) from Hartland. The young performers in the "Diesel" cast are Jordan Horne (as Ensemble 4) from Wauwatosa, Jake Konrath (as Ensemble 3) from Waukesha, Nora Papke (as Ensemble 2) from Milwaukee, Laura Troshynski (as Ensemble 1) from Whitefish Bay and Rachel Schmeling (as Little Engine) from Brookfield.

The Artistic Staff for THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD includes Diana Lemense (Choreographer), Brandon Kirkham (Scenic Designer), Lyndsey Kuhlmann (Costume Designer), Alan Piotrowicz (Lighting Designer), Matt Whitmore (Sound Designer) and Mary Bailey (Stage Manager, member of Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional Actors and Stage Managers).

Tickets for THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD are $12 for adults and $10 for children ages 12 and under. Tickets may be purchased online at www.FirstStage.org or by phone at (414) 267-2961.

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