CTC Presents 500 HATS OF BARTHOLOMEW CUBBINS, 9/17

Welcoming Twin Cities audiences back to the whimsical Kingdom of Didd, The Children's Theatre Company (CTC) kicks off its 45^th Anniversary Season with the storied Dr. Seuss' The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins. 

Since 1979, CTC has been the only theatre in the country to produce world-renowned children's book author Ted Geisel (Dr. Seuss)'s The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins on stage. It was in 1957 that Dr. Seuss revolutionized children's literature by introducing The Cat in the Hat. In 236 words, Geisel's prodigious imagination freed children from the world of Dick and Jane, allowing them to construct new words, sounds, rhymes and new ways of telling tales. Today, launching its 45^th Anniversary season, CTC will celebrate the work of Seuss in a way that only CTC can.

"Ted Geisel knew how to make us laugh. He knew how to make us think, to question conventional wisdom and question authority," says Peter C. Brosius, artistic director for CTC and director of the 2010-2011 production of Bartholomew Cubbins.  "He gave us fables that endure. They are witty, wise and come from the heart."

In part, the enduring qualities of The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins can be attributed to its popularity among CTC audiences.  This marks the sixth time CTC has produced Bartholomew Cubbins on its main stage (previous productions were in 1979-80, 1982-83, 1987-88, 1992-93, 2002-03). In 1990-91, the theatre unveiled the production in China, and in 1997-98, CTC produced the show in Japan.

In his often comical and always whimsical depiction of The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, Seuss wrote of the Kingdom of Didd, where royalty and children alike find themselves plagued by the fact "nothing much happens to happen" to them. In this land, protocol requires all who encounter King Derwin, played by Ivey Award-winner Bradley Greenwald, to remove their hats, and as only Dr. Seuss can imagine, drama unfolds when young Bartholomew Cubbins-played by CTC newcomer Braxton Baker-magically discovers a new hat each time he removes the previous. 

Baker, who hails from Duluth, is well-versed in all things Seuss. This summer, he played The Cat in the Hat in CTC's Theatre Arts Training Intensive program production of Seussical-the Musical. Baker's previous acting credits include Twinderella and the roles of Charlie Brown and Simba at the Duluth Children's Theatre.  He has performed with the Minnesota Ballet's production of The Nutcracker and with Jon Ferguson Theater (S. Gunter Klaus and the Story Before). This will be Baker's first main stage production at CTC. 

Guiding a cast of 21 are veteran CTC actors Bradley Greenwald (King Derwin), Autumn Ness (from Cinderella and The Biggest Little House in the Forest), Gerald Drake (who plays the Dad of the Nadd of Didd and the Yeoman of the Bowmen) and Max Wojanowicz (from Mr. McGee & the Biting Flea and Romeo & Juliet).

A treat typically reserved for CTC's holiday show, this production of Dr. Seuss' The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins will feature original music from the 1979 World Premiere, created by former CTC Composer in Residence Hiram Titus, and presented by a seven-piece live orchestra under the direction of Barbara Brooks. Equally as enchanting are the original costume designs by Judith Cooper and the scenic design adaptation by Joseph Stanley, whose design work has included CTC's production of Romeo & Juliet and most recently, Disney's Mulan, Jr.  Lighting design is by Marcus Dilliard and Sean Healey as sound designer.

Choreography for Dr. Seuss' The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins is by Joe Chvala, founder and artistic director of the acclaimed dance company Flying Foot Forum. Chvala has directed, choreographed and been commissioned to create new works for the Guthrie Theater, Walker Art Center, Minnesota Opera and Zenon Dance Company and is a recipient of the Ivey and Sage Awards.

The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins opens Fri., Sept. 17 (previews begin Tues., Sept. 14), and runs through Sat., Oct. 30.  Tickets range from $26-$40 for adults and $16-$2o for children (17 & under), students and seniors and are available by calling (612) 874-0400 or by visiting www.childrenstheatre.org.

Subscriptions for the 2010-2011 season, which also includes show-stopping hits such as Annie (directed by High School Musical director, Peter Rothstein), Robin Hood (directed by Romeo & Juliet director, Greg Banks), Babe (The Sheep Pig), Barrio Grrrl! and A Christmas Story, are available now by calling (612) 874-0400.

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is the first theatre for young people to win the coveted Tony® Award for Outstanding Regional Theater (2003). Founded in 1965, CTC serves more than 300,000 people annually and is one of the 20 largest theater companies in the nation. CTC is noted for defining worldwide standards for youth theatre with an innovative mix of classic tales, celebrated international productions and challenging new work.