Emmy Winner Makes Peter and the Wolf Howl at Seattle Children's Theatre

Seattle Children's Theatre presents the world premiere of Peter and the Wolf, adapted by local playwright Allison Gregory from the classic story by Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev.

Gregory's take on this timeless tale features music by two-time Emmy Award-winner Hummie Mann. In his first stage production for children, Mann took the themes from Peter and the Wolf and adapted them to contemporary musical theatre songs. Prokofiev's melodies find their way into a tango, waltz, Charleston, two-step shuffle and even cartoon music evocative of Carl Stalling, the mastermind behind the Warner Brothers' cartoons of the 1940s.

Commissioned in 1936 by the Moscow Central Children's Theater, Peter and the Wolf was created to introduce children to the instruments of an orchestra and is now loved by generations of people all over the world. SCT's production takes Prokofiev's concept a step further: it is an active introduction to theatre using Buster Keaton-style clowning and movement. The play still follows the adventures of Peter, trying to save his animal friends from a hungry wolf, but Gregory's adaptation creatively delves into each character with hilarity and gusto.

For SCT, Gregory choreographed and co-wrote Go, Dog. Go! with husband Steven Dietz, as well as choreographing Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. Other plays include Forcing Hyacinths (Julie Harris Playwriting Award); Fall Off Night (commissioned by South Coast Repertory Theatre), which had a critically acclaimed run in Los Angeles; and Point Deception (commissioned by ACT in Seattle). Her play Even Steven Goes to War was selected for the KennedyCenter's New Visions/New Voices series and was seen at Arizona's Childsplay and at Seattle Public Theatre.

Hummie Mann won Emmy Awards for his score to Language of the Heart, which was directed by Jonathan Kaplan, and for arranging Billy Crystal's opening number for the 1992 Academy Awards telecast. He has worked with some of Hollywood's most celebrated directors and composed the scores for a wide variety of television projects and features, including Robin Hood: Men in Tights and Thomas and the Magic Railroad. His theatre work includes work for West End Playhouse, Los Angeles Actor's Theatre, Long Beach Civic Light Opera, and several other Southern California theatres and tours.

The cast includes Hans Altwies as Wolf/Grandfather, Daniel Charles Dennis as Peter, Lisa Estridge as Bird, Peter A. Jacobs as Duck/Hunter, and Liz McCarthy as Cat.

The production features choreography by Allison Gregory, musical direction by Jacob Winkler, set design by Jennifer Lupton, costume design by Deborah Trout, light design by Andrew Duff, sound design by Chris R. Walker, and puppet design by Douglas N. Paasch.

Peter and the Wolf, recommended for ages four and older, runs through March 18. For tickets, call (206) 441-3322 or visit www.sct.org.

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