It's Face-Off Time for First MN Hockey Musical THE ABOMINABLES at CTC

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) brings to the stage the very first Minnesota hockey musical, The Abominables. Produced in association with New York City's extraordinary theatre company The Civilians, the musical is written and directed by Steve Cosson with music and lyrics by Michael Friedman and choreography by Joe Chvala.

The satirical musical was created over a four year period through CTC's Threshold new play development program; the development of which included interviews with over 75 hockey players, coaches and family members across Minnesota at tournaments, games and practices.

"The Abominables began when Michael and I were invited by CTC to immerse ourselves in the world of Minnesota youth hockey to see if we might be inspired to create a musical," states director and playwright Steve Cosson. "During our research period, our creative team met lots of hockey kids, parents and coaches; we traveled to tournaments and spoke to everyone we could. Armed with some real life material, we then opened up our imaginations, and once the notion of a young hockey-playing yeti showed up, we knew we were onto something."

"The topic Steve and Michael were interested in exploring was youth sports, which seemed to have transformed, in the course of one generation, from recreational, park and school-based programs to specialized, year-round training with paid coaches and competitive team placement at an early age and the culture that has grown up around that," Director of New Play Development, Elissa Adams reflects on the beginning of the process.

This production also kicks off Peter C. Brosius' 20th Anniversary season as CTC's Artistic Director. "It is exciting to kick off this dynamic season with a brand new musical especially developed with and for Minnesotans. Steve and Michael brought a depth of research to the creation of this new work that their company, The Civilians is especially known for. This hilarious musical is full of heart and insight into our pursuit of success and how we define it."

Rink rats, hockey moms, tournament weekends and the quest to play your best - It's tryout season in the Great State of Hockey! Mitch has always played on the A team for the Prairie Lake Blizzards - these are his guys - they've played together forever, but he's worried this could be the year he gets sent down to the B team. When a new "kid" appears at Bantam tryouts, things go from bad to worse. >From the land of ice and nice comes the first Minnesota hockey musical! Will you love it? You betcha!

CTC is also offering the opportunity for youth hockey associations to use the show as a fundraiser. For every The Abominables ticket purchased by a youth hockey association's constituents, CTC will give $4 per ticket to that particular association through August 23, and $2 per ticket through October 15. To participate, associations can contact Regina Hanson, Marketing Manager at rhanson@childrenstheatre.org or by phone at 612.872.5112.

A CTC commissioned world premiere, The Abominables opens September 12 and run through October 15, 2017 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage and is best enjoyed by ages 8+. Individual show tickets and subscriptions can be purchased at childrenstheatre.org or by calling the ticket office at 612.874.0400. This world premiere production is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Ruth Easton Fund of the Edelstein Family Foundation.

IF YOU GO:

The Abominables
Produced in association with The Civilians
Written by Steve Cosson
Music and Lyrics by Michael Friedman
Directed by Steve Cosson
Choreographer Joe Chvala

September 12-October 15

A Children's Theatre Company Commissioned World Premiere
Best enjoyed by age 8+
UnitedHealth Group Stage

Runtime: TBD

Cast

Carter Bannwarth Ryan

Elise Benson Judy

Stephanie Bertumen Hockey Moms / Mama Yeti/ Ensemble

Ryan Colbert Harry

Henry Constable Mitch Munson

Bradley Greenwald* Hank

Zachary Hodgkins Zach

Doug Neithercott Coach/ Papa Yeti/ Ensemble

Autumn Ness* Ellen Munson

Reed Sigmund* Charlie Munson

Natalie Tran Tracy Munson

Alejandro Vega Freddy

Valerie Wick Lily Munson

Logan Baker Hockey Ensemble

Sage Brahmstedt Hockey Ensemble

Hunter Conrad Hockey Ensemble

Meredith "Mimi" Kol-Balfour Hockey Ensemble

Evan Latta Hockey Ensemble

Peder Lindell Hockey Ensemble

Richard Norman Hockey Ensemble

External Understudies

Rajané Katurah Adult Female Understudy

Isaac Lear Freddy Understudy

Dwight Leslie Adult Male Understudy

Stella Wright Lily Understudy

* denotes a member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States

Musicians

Greg Angel Bass

Andrew Fleser Conductor/Keyboard

Steve Kimball Percussion

David Singley Guitar

Creative Team

Steve Cosson Director

Michael Friedman Composer

Leah Jensen Assistant Director

Andrew Fleser Music Director

Joe Chvala Choreographer

Ryan Bourque Fight and Hockey Choreographer

Andrew Boyce Scenic Designer

Jake DeGroot Lighting Designer

Jessica Pabst Costume Designer

Sten Severson Sound Designer

Stacy McIntosh* Stage Manager

Nate Stanger* Assistant Stage Manager

Sonja Thorson* Assistant Stage Manager

Tickets

The Ticket Office is accessible by phone two hours prior to most performances. These posted hours are subject to change.

Email: tickets@childrenstheatre.org (inquiries only, no ticket processing)
Phone: 612.874.0400

Website: childrenstheatre.org

Lap passes available for children newborn to three years for $5

ASL/AD Performance: Friday, October 6 at 7pm

Sensory Friendly performance: Friday, October 13 at 7pm

Group tickets up to 25% off regular tickets for groups of ten or more

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Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is the nation's largest and most acclaimed theatre for multigenerational audiences. It creates theatre experiences that educate, challenge, and inspire for more than 275,000 people annually. CTC is the only theatre focused on young audiences to win the coveted Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre and is the only theatre in Minnesota to receive three Tony nominations (for its production of A Year with Frog and Toad). CTC is committed to producing world class productions at the highest level and to developing new works, more than 200 to date, dramatically changing the canon of work for young audiences.

CTC's engagement and learning programs annually serve more than 85,000 students ages 2-18 through Theatre Arts Training, student matinees, Bridges, and early childhood arts education programs that bring students to the theatre and bring teaching artists into the classroom. The ACT One program is CTC's comprehensive platform for access, diversity and inclusion in our audiences, programs, staff, and board that strives to ensure the theatre is a home for all people, all families, reflective of our community. Visit www.childrenstheatre.org.

The Civilians is a theater company dedicated to creating and producing work that dynamically engages our broader social and political environment. Since its founding in 2001 by Artistic Director Steve Cosson and a company of artists, The Civilians has achieved acclaim as the premier investigative theater company in the country. The Obie award-winning group draws from community interviews, research, residencies, and other methods to devise innovative work that explores some of today's most intriguing topics. Now in its 17th year, its productions have taken the stage at notable theaters such as the Brooklyn Academy Of Music, Playwrights Horizons, The Public Theater, La Jolla Playhouse, and the American Repertory Theater, as well as at arts presenters and festivals in over 40 cities around the globe. Go to www.thecivilians.org.