Emperors New Clothes Plays SteppingStone

The classic story of self-deception and the courage of a lone voice of reason returns to the SteppingStone stage. This production is based on the beloved Hans Christian Andersen tale, recently adapted and freshened by long-time SteppingStone collaborator David Simmons.

The entire kingdom gushes over the extraordinary new suit of clothes sold to the emperor by the exotic strangers from the big city. But one courageous and honest child says the one thing that everyone else is too afraid to admit to themselves: ³What clothes? I don¹t see any clothes!² Filled with pageantry, dance and music, this spectacular show appeals to all ages.

David Simmons, the story¹s adapter, says, ³As far as the music for this show is concerned, I focused more on traditional American Musical Theater styles rather than the various pop-music idioms I often draw from. I grew up playing rock, jazz and folk music, but when I started acting I was drawn, almost hypnotically, to the composing styles of Rogers & Hammerstein, Frank Loesser and, most of all, Stephen Sondheim.²

David goes on to say, ³I've been writing for Steppingstone Theater for over 20 years, and we've always been committed to the highest quality acting experience for young performing artists. We're also committed to making the shows accessible to a multi-generational audience. We do not Œwrite-down¹ to youth audiences, and make the show fun, interesting and entertaining for
everyone.²

³With The Emperor's New Clothes I drew from my 25 years of experience in live musical theater to give this student cast a taste of what's out there in the more traditional arena. One of the things I always look for in creating any children's/youth oriented show is age-appropriate casting for student actors 19 years old and younger. We focus on creating a 15 year-old character for a 15 year old performing artist. In doing so we are one of the few professional theater companies for young actors in the country to write and cast in this way. Students are much more savvy and accomplished than most adults give them credit for.²

Come and join SteppingStone for a performance of The Emperor's New Clothes, and celebrate the rejuvenation of this classic tale, perfect for a summer family outing.

Performance Information:
Performance times and tickets are available at (651) 225-9265 or www.steppingstonetheatre.org
<http://www.steppingstonetheatre.org/>

All performances of The Emperor¹s New Clothes are in SteppingStone Theatre¹s new home, a beautifully renovated 100-year-old architectural gEm Located at 55 Victoria Street North, one block north of Summit Avenue in the Historic Hill District of St. Paul.

The Emperor¹s New Clothes is appropriate for all ages. SteppingStone Theatre is fully accessible to persons with disabilities, and has regularly-scheduled ASL & Audio Described performances. Interpreters can be scheduled for other performances at no additional cost upon request. For
information, call 651-225-9265.

Ticket Prices:
Adults: $14.00, Children & Seniors: $10.00 Groups 20+: $7.00 (scholarships
available)
Purchase your tickets in advance online and pay just $9.50 per ticket

Performance Dates & Times:
Friday, July 8 ­ Opening at 7 pm

Saturday, July 9 ­ 7 pm

Sunday, July 10 ­ 3 pm

Wednesday, July 13 ­ 10 am and noon

Thursday, July 14 ­ 10 am and noon

Friday, July 15 ­ 10 am, noon and 7 pm (Audio Described 7 pm)

Saturday, July 16 ­ 7 pm

Sunday, July 17 ­ 3 pm (ASL Interpreted Performance)

Wednesday, July 20 ­ 10 am and noon

Thursday, July 21 ­ 10 am and noon

Friday, July 22 ­ 10 am, noon and 7 pm

Saturday, July 23 ­ 7 pm

Sunday, July 24 ­ 3 pm

Wednesday, July 27 ­ 10 am and noon

Thursday, July 28 ­ 10 am and noon

Friday, July 29 ­ 10 am, noon and 7 pm

Saturday, July 30 ­ 7 pm

Sunday, July 31 ­ 3 pm

About SteppingStone Theatre

SteppingStone Theatre is Saint Paul's professional theatre for young
audiences, serving tens of thousands of diverse youth, families and
educators each year. The theatre has become a premier destination for
affordable theatre education and entertainment, and has received numerous
local and national awards including the Aurand C. Harris Children's Theatre
Award, Sally Ordway Irvine Award for Education, the St. Paul Heritage
Preservation Award, and won Nickelodeon¹s Parents Connect ³2010 Parents¹
Picks² Award for Best Kid¹s Theatre. A theatre serving nearly 70,000 youth,
families, and educators from diverse ethnic, social and economic backgrounds
each year, SteppingStone has become a premier destination for interactive,
youth-centered theatre.

 

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