Childsplay Announces 'Radiant' 2018-2019 Season

From favorite storybook adaptations like The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Charlotte's Web to original plays like And in this Corner... Cassius Clay and The Girl Who Swallowed a Cactus (Tempe, Ariz.) Childsplay Theatre announces its 42nd season of theatre that includes five plays at its new home: The Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix.

"We are thrilled to be back performing at this beautiful theatre complex and so happy to be joining the Center's wonderful family of resident companies," said Dwayne Hartford, Childsplay Artistic Director.

During this exciting new season, Childsplay will also be partnering with Black Theatre Troupe for a co-production of And in this Corner... Cassius Clay (The Making of Muhammad Ali), performed at the Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center.

Choose-Your-Own Play Pack subscriptions and Flex Ticket packages will help families save money on the best seats to all of the shows this season and are on sale now at www.childsplayaz.org or at (602) 252-8497. Single tickets range from $12 to $30 with additional box office fees.

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ANNOUNCING CHILDSPLAY'S 2018-2019 LINE-UP:

Charlotte's Web:
Recommended for Ages 5+
Weekends, September 2 - October 14, 2018
By Joseph Robinette, Based on the book by E.B. White
Back by popular demand! One of our most beloved productions returns to the stage with a brilliant version of E.B. White's American classic. Meet Wilbur, an endearing piglet trying to make his way in the world, and Charlotte, the wise and winsome spider who becomes his true friend. Get caught up in Charlotte's web as we spin this timeless story onto the stage!

The Girl Who Swallowed a Cactus
Recommended for Ages 5+
October 27 - November 18, 2018
By Eric Coble
When school is out, there's nothing to do and the desert sun beats down hot, Sheila and her friends find themselves in search of something - anything - interesting to explore. So when a walking, talking, and surprisingly well-dressed coyote shows up, the kids find themselves on the adventure of a lifetime! Filled with magical realism and surprises at every turn, this funny story of friendship and imagination will bring the desert landscape to life. This one-woman play is presented in collaboration with Metro Theater Company as a Rolling World Premier. It was workshopped and presented as a rehearsed reading in April 2018 at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as part of New Visions/New Voices 2018.

Ella Enchanted: The Musical
Recommended for Ages 5+
Weekends, December 15 - December 30, 2018
By ???Karen Zacarías, Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma, Adapted from the book by Gail Carson Levine
Not every princess needs rescuing. Based on the Newbery-honor book, this Cinderella twist follows Ella, a princess who is given the "gift" of obedience at birth. As she grows up, the strong-willed little girl must defeat her evil stepmother, a hungry ogre, and this troublesome curse to find her own voice and live happily ever after. This charming musical adventure is the perfect fairy tale for the holiday season!

And in this Corner... Cassius Clay
Recommended for Ages 9+
Weekends, January 27 - March 3, 2019
By Idris Goodwin
Every hero has an origin story. Before Muhammad Ali became one of the world's greatest boxers and civil rights advocates, he was Cassius Clay, navigating friendship, family and learning to fight for himself and his community. Step into the ring with Cassius (and his world-famous rhymes) to learn about his inspiring story.
This is a co-production between Childsplay Theatre and Black Theatre Troupe performed at the Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show
Recommended for Ages 3+
Weekends, March 17, 2019 - April 21, 2019
Created by Jonathan Rockefeller, Based on Eric Carle's Books
Eric Carle's iconic stories and illustrations come to life on stage! From A Very Hungry Caterpillar who undergoes a magical transformation to The Very Lonely Firefly who learns to shine his light by finding friends, you won't want to miss this fantastical puppet experience.

Schoolhouse Rock Live!
Recommended for Ages 6+
Weekends, April 28, 2019 - May 26, 2019
Music and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Bob Dorough, Dave Frishberg, Kathy Mandry, George Newall and Tom Yohe
A pop culture phenomenon returns to the musical stage! Academic subjects will never seem boring again when presented through megahits like "Conjunction Junction," "Just a Bill," "Interplanet Janet" or "Three is a Magic Number." Schoolhouse Rock explodes onto the stage with songs you loved updated for a whole new generation!

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Childsplay, Inc. is a nonprofit theatre company of professional, adult artists who perform for and teach young audiences and their families. The mission of Childsplay is "to create theatre so strikingly original in form, content or both, that it instills in young people an enduring awe, love and respect for the medium, thus preserving imagination and wonder, the hallmarks of childhood which are keys to the future." For more information, visit www.childsplayaz.org.

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