The Children's Theatre News

Coeurage Theatre Company, LA's 'Pay What You Want' Company, has announced the first production of its 2014 season, The Yellow Boat by David Saar. Directed by Joseph V. Calarco, there will be one preview performance on Friday, April 18 at 8pm and opening is set for Saturday, April 19 at 8pm. The Yellow Boat will play through May 25 at GTC Burbank.

The Growing Stage - The Children's Theatre of New Jersey, located in the Historic Palace Theatre on Route 183 in Netcong, New Jersey is proud to present the final main stage show of their 32nd season, KNUFFLE BUNNY: A CAUTIONARY MUSICAL from April 19th through May 18th, with performances Friday evenings at 7:30 PM, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 4:00 PM. We will have a special opening day performance on Saturday, April 19th at 1:00PM.

The celebrated off-Broadway comedy, Around the World in 80 Days, which features five actors in a theatrical tour-de-force playing 39 characters from Jules Verne's classic adventure novel, will come alive through the Arizona Theatre Company production at the Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe, from today, March 27-April 13.

Scenic designer, writer and professor, MARJORIE BRADLEY KELLOGG, and costume designer DEBORAH M. DRYDEN are among the 2014 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday, May 2, at 6:30pm, at the Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street). Ms. Kellogg will receive the Robert L.B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design and Ms. Dryden was selected to receive the 2014 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for costume design. Ms. Kellogg's award will be presented to her by director Kenny Leon and Ms. Dryden's award will be presented to her by designer David Woolard.

Given its short run on Broadway, it's only fair that one would approach SHREK: THE MUSICAL with a little bit of skepticism. But just a few short minutes into this first-rate feast of entertainment at Virginia Repertory Theatre's Children's Theatre at Willow Lawn, audiences will believe in a dancing, singing and wildly amusing SHREK. Together, David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori have written an endearing and light score suitable for the entire family.

The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati celebrates its 90th birthday with a world premiere, an educational rock-and-roll spectacular - featuring one of Cincinnati's favorite bands on stage - plus two Disney favorites. The 2014-2015 season includes:

Virginia Repertory Theatre revealed the new titles for the 2014/15 Season with a public announcement at the November Theatre last evening. The announcement marks Bruce Miller and Phil Whiteway's 40th season as Artistic Director and Managing Director. Miller reflects on this milestone, "I'm proud to be announcing my 40th season as Artistic Director. The 18 shows that comprise Virginia Rep's 2014/15 roster include several of my favorite comedies, dramas and musicals. Whether a renowned classic or an exciting new release, each selection will take us on a breathtaking journey. I can't wait to discover with our audience the adventures that lie ahead."

Ann Arbor's Performance Network Theatre presents its second annual Dreamcast fundraiser - a lively evening of entertainment and bidding to support Ann Arbor's professional theatre at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 11 2014. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased online at performancenetwork.org/dreamcast or by calling 734-663-0681.

Virginia Repertory Theatre opens their biggest show in the Children's season, Shrek, The Musical tonight, March 14 at the Children's Theatre of Virginia at Willow Lawn, 1601 Willow Lawn Drive. The show will run through April 27, 2014 and is based on the Academy Award-winning film, Shrek. With book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori, the timeless fairytale of rescued damsel in distress takes many fun and quirky twists as the green and stinky swampland ogre saves Princess Fiona and wins her love. The show lasts about two hours with intermission and is best enjoyed by children and adults alike 5 years and older

Virginia Repertory Theatre opens their biggest show in the Children's season, Shrek, The Musical tonight, March 14 at the Children's Theatre of Virginia at Willow Lawn, 1601 Willow Lawn Drive. The show will run through April 27, 2014 and is based on the Academy Award-winning film, Shrek. Scroll down for a video of Virginia Rep's Shrek, Jason Marks, going green for the show!

The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati ends its 89th MainStage Season with ROALD DAHL'S WILLY WONKA JR. directed and choreographed by Jay Goodlett. Words and music by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy A. McDonald, based on the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.

Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd announces the cast and creative team for Alan Ayckbourn's science fiction comedy Communicating Doors. Eleven plays penned by Alan Ayckbourn have been produced by the Alley, including the American premiere of Henceforward, directed by Ayckbourn, in 1987 and House & Garden in 2002. Alan Ayckbourn has been inducted into the American Theatre's Hall of Fame, received the 2010 Critics' Circle Award for Services to the Arts, became the first British playwright to receive both Olivier and Tony Special Lifetime Achievement Awards and was knighted in 1997 for services to the theatre.

Adventure Stage Chicago (ASC) closes their 10th season with the world premiere of SPARK: Chapter One of The Prometheus Project, which completely re-imagines the myths of Prometheus and Pandora. SPARK runs April 5 - May 8, 2014 and is written by Tom Arvetis (ASC Producing Artistic Director) and directed by Rives Collins (Theatre and Drama for Youth Specialist, Northwestern University).

Theater Schmeater is delighted ( and frankly, a little surprised) to announce the opening of The Schmee, our new performance venue and home, located at 2125 Third Avenue in the bustling Belltown area of downtown Seattle. Slatted for a June opening, the facility will comfortably seat 50, maintaining Theater Schmeater's commitment to presenting great plays in an intimate, accessible environment where the audience and artists can share the joy and communion of live theater.

The Theatre School at DePaul University will present Jackie & Me, by Steven Dietz, adapted from the novel by Dan Gutman, and directed by John Jenkins, as the final production of the 2013-2014 Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences season. This production opens Tuesday, April 8, and runs through Saturday, May 10, 2014, at DePaul's historic Merle Reskin Theatre. Performances are Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 AM, and Saturdays at 2 PM. Friday performances will be held on May 2 and 9 (10 AM). A special Sunday performance (2 PM) will be held on May 4. There will be no Saturday performance on May 3.

The celebrated off-Broadway comedy, Around the World in 80 Days, which features five actors in a theatrical tour-de-force playing 39 characters from Jules Verne's classic adventure novel, will come alive through the Arizona Theatre Company production at the Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe, from March 27-April 13.

What do a boy who never grows up, a pirate, and a fairy all have in common? They are three of the most memorable and beloved characters of all time . . . and they are coming to the Children's Theatre at Way Off Broadway. This spring, Peter Pan, Captain Hook, and Tinkerbell will all be live on stage in Way Off Broadway's area premiere production of Disney's Peter Pan Jr. which will appear at the theatre from April 26 - July 27, 2014.

When sheltered Claudine meets starving artist Henry, she falls head over heels. But her mother, a tough-talking celebrity financial guru, has her doubts: Is Henry everything her daughter deserves or is he only after her money? Rich Girl, a modern day take on the classic play and film The Heiress, is a clever new comedy about women, men, mothers, and money – but not necessarily in that order.

'The Secret Life of Hubie Harzel' The Growing Stage in Netcong is more than a children's production. It is a cleverly staged, comical play that addresses the subject of bullying and is completely entertaining.

Alley Theatre presents the world premiere of a new comedy by Theresa Rebeck, Fool. In Rebeck's new comedy, two kings get together and place a wager on their fools - a jester competition, and the funniest one gets to keep his head. Two evil minions have a lot to say about this, but not as much as the kitchen wench. And what's the queen been up to all night? A dramatical comical farcical tragical play about power, love and laughter, set in a medieval kitchen. Adult Language, Adult Situations, Beheadings.