The Children's Theatre News

The Growing Stage, the Children's Theatre of New Jersey, located in the Historic Palace Theater on Route 183 in Netcong, New Jersey is set to present the New Jersey Premiere of DIARY OF A WORM, A SPIDER AND A FLY from April 27th to May 20th with performances Saturday and Sunday matinees at 4:00PM and a special opening night performance on Friday, April 27th at 7:30PM. Book, music and lyrics by Joan Cushing and based on the books by Doreen Cronin and illustrations byHarry Bliss. DIARY OF A WORM, A SPIDER & A FLY is directed by TGS Director of Educational Programming Lori Lawrence with choreography by Jillian Petrie and musical direction by Laura Petrie.

[title of show] offers a humorous look a the challenges of writing a musical, and chronicles four friends on a funny and harrowing biographical journey from the page to the stage. The New York Times called [title of show] 'Broadway's most profound exercise in postmodernism…the scrappy little musical about trying to put on a scrappy little musical.' Now a cult-classic among 'theatre-nerds' all over the world, [title of show] features an inventive musical score by Jeff Bowen, an intelligent and witty book by Hunter Bell, and carries a very poignant message about living your dreams, being yourself, and it includes some of the most delightful new songs to make their mark in the American musical theatre canon such as, 'Monkeys and Playbills,' 'Die Vampire, Die,' 'Part of it All,' and the touching ballad, 'A Way Back to Then.'

This spring, Performance Network Theatre's educational outreach program, the Children's Theatre Network will be present the musical comedy JAMIE AND JORDAN on Saturday April 28 at 1pm, as part of the Saturday Series for Young Audiences. Jamie and Jordan features book and lyrics by Kim Carney, a Performance Network staple, with music by Gene Gaunt.

As part of Performance Network's mission to promote new plays and the works of local playwrights, the theatre will premiere Joseph Zettelmaier's "Dead Man's Shoes," a darkly comedic Western tale of friendship and vengeance. This co-production, which is currently running at the Williamston Theatre in mid-Michigan, comes to Ann Arbor through April 8, 2012. It is directed by Performance Network Artistic Director, David Wolber and features Aral Gribble ("Man of La Mancha," "The Home Team"), Paul Hopper ("Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol"), Maggie Meyer and Drew Parker ("Marie Antoinette: The Color of Flesh").

Theater Latté Da will present Spring Awakening, a dynamic rock adaptation of Frank Wedekind's expressionist play about a group of teenagers coming of age in an uncomprehending world, on April 12 - May 6, 2012 at the The University of Minnesota Rarig Center, Stoll Thrust Theatre, West Bank 330 21st Ave S.

The Guthrie Theater has announced a new tour of its CostumeRentals facility showcasing costumes and accessories from many periods of the theater's long history. Guides will accompany guests on this approximately 40-minute tour, describing the craft of costume production, including specific costumes from past shows.

[title of show] offers a humorous look a the challenges of writing a musical, and chronicles four friends on a funny and harrowing biographical journey from the page to the stage. The New York Times called [title of show] 'Broadway's most profound exercise in postmodernism…the scrappy little musical about trying to put on a scrappy little musical.' Now a cult-classic among 'theatre-nerds' all over the world, [title of show] features an inventive musical score by Jeff Bowen, an intelligent and witty book by Hunter Bell, and carries a very poignant message about living your dreams, being yourself, and it includes some of the most delightful new songs to make their mark in the American musical theatre canon such as, 'Monkeys and Playbills,' 'Die Vampire, Die,' 'Part of it All,' and the touching ballad, 'A Way Back to Then.'

THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART is heading to Charlotte with 125+ stalwart staffers to cover its fourth Democratic National Convention and broadcast a week of shows. 'The Daily Show's' coverage of the 2012 DNC will be taped at ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center(TM) and air nightly at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT from Tuesday, September 4 through Friday, September 7.

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 SEUSSICAL through April 1st with performances Friday evenings at 7:30 PM, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 4:00 PM. Music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, book by Stephen Flaherty & Lynn Ahrens, and based on the works of Dr. Seuss. SEUSSICAL is directed by TGS founder and executive Director Steve Fredericks with choreography by Jillian Petrie and musical direction by Laura Petrie.

The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati will bring the world premiere of "Rapunzel! Rapunzel! A Very Hairy Fairy Tale" to the Taft Theatre, March 23-25 and 31. Music and Lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman. The show is being directed by Artistic Director, Angela Powell Walker.

[title of show] offers a humorous look a the challenges of writing a musical, and chronicles four friends on a funny and harrowing biographical journey from the page to the stage. The New York Times called [title of show] 'Broadway's most profound exercise in postmodernism…the scrappy little musical about trying to put on a scrappy little musical.' Now a cult-classic among 'theatre-nerds' all over the world, [title of show] features an inventive musical score by Jeff Bowen, an intelligent and witty book by Hunter Bell, and carries a very poignant message about living your dreams, being yourself, and it includes some of the most delightful new songs to make their mark in the American musical theatre canon such as, 'Monkeys and Playbills,' 'Die Vampire, Die,' 'Part of it All,' and the touching ballad, 'A Way Back to Then.'

Following The Way Off Broadway Children's Theatre's sold out run of Pinkalicious - The Musical, which opened the theatre's 2012 Season, another children's character is getting ready to move into Way Off Broadway for the spring and summer.

"The Tell-Tale Heart," "The Raven" and "The Cask of Amontillado" are just three of Poe's works getting a dramatic makeover at the Children's Theatre of Charlotte's latest production, March 9-24. Tickets start at $14, and while the show is family friendly, the suggested audience is kids 11 and older.

Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd announces the cast and creative team for the Alley Theatre's production of the 2010 Best Play Tony Award Winner, Red.

OK, so I'll admit I was hesitant to start reviewing at the Children's Theatre. But then at the urging of others and the insistence that they are putting up some of the better shows in town, I relented. And if their current offering, "A Single Shard", is any indication, then I seriously need to rethink my attitude. Yes, it's children's theater in that it's theater that's OK for children to see, but it's so much more and better than you may expect.

FABLISCIOUS, presented by Performance Network Theatre's educational outreach program, the Children's Theatre Network, will play at 1pm on Saturday, March 17, 2012 and will be followed by a complimentary milk and cookies reception. FABLISCIOUS features book and lyrics by Kimberly Yost and music my Patrick Farrell and Gene Gaunt.

Commissioned specially for Florida Rep in 2006 by renowned children's theatre author, Kathryn Schultz Miller, Thomas Edison: Fire of Genius examines landmark events in the great inventor's life and shows us how he became a legend. Edison himself takes the audience on an inspirational journey through his childhood full of woes, the invention of the light bulb, and even chronicles his years spent in Southwest Florida on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River. A fast-paced and zany look at Edison and life at the turn of the 20th century, Fire of Genius gives audiences a rare glimpse into the life and times of 'The Wizard of Menlo Park.' Edison's journey teaches children that 'genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.'

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 SEUSSICAL through April 1st with performances Friday evenings at 7:30 PM, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 4:00 PM.

The seven shows scheduled this season at Performance Network are just the last in a long line of plays and musicals staged at Ann Arbor's professional theatre, now celebrating its 30th Anniversary Season. To mark this milestone, PNT is holding an inspiring Anniversary Gala, entitled "Home Grown, World Class," which will showcase the plays, musicals, and talents featured over the past 30 years, from the early 80's "Waiting for Godot" to 2010's 'The Drowsy Chaperone." This fund raising event will be held on Saturday March 24th at 6pm at Kensington Court Hotel. Tickets are still available and will be sold through March 16.

When Performance Network Theatre decided to engage in two co-productions for their 30th Anniversary season, an opportunity arose to revive their second stage offerings. With both "God of Carnage" and the upcoming "Dead Man's Shoes" being rehearsed off-site, Performance Network's black box rehearsal hall was wide open for use by a neighboring company, The Penny Seats, and the first show of their second season, Jeffrey Hatcher's "What Corbin Knew." Performances will begin Feb 28 and run through March 14, 2012 at Performance Network.