Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Fun Freetime: Children's Theatre Company's Digital Productions

 Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) is proud to present two digital productions this fall that were critically acclaimed from past seasons—Corduroy running October 12 through 24, 2020 and Last Stop on Market Street running November 9 through 21, 2020.  

 

The season begins with the stage production of the classic children’s book Corduroy, adapted by Barry Kornhauser and directed by CTC’s Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius running October 12 through 24, 2020. Mr. Kornhauser has written numerous plays premiered by CTC including BalloonacyReelingBert & Ernie, Goodnight! and Madeline and the Gypsies. CTC Company Member Dean Holt plays Corduroy, CTC Company Member Reed Sigmund plays the Night Watchman, Ileri Okikiolu plays the role of Lisa, Lauren Davis plays Lisa’s Mother, and Mimi Kol-Balfour and Keegan Robinson are the student ensemble. The design team includes Scenic Designer Torry Bend (CTC’s Animal Dance), Southwest Shakespeare Co., Empty Space Theatre Seattle, Oregon Repertory Theater), Music Composer/Sound Designer Victor Zupanc (2016 Ivey Award for CTC’s Pinocchio, Los Angeles Theater Critics Circle Award), Ivey Award winning Costume Designer Trevor Bowen (Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Ten Thousand Things Theatre, Jungle Theatre) and Lighting Designer Craig Gottschalk (CTC’s resident lighting and video designer). This virtual performance was recorded during the original world premiere in 2018 which opened to rave reviews such as, “An utterly delightful show” (Star Tribune), “Corduroy charms” (City Pages), and “Delirious fun” (Talkin’ Broadway).

 

The second digitally presented production is Last Stop on Market Street, November 9 through 21, 2020. Based on the Newbery Award-winning book by Matt de la Peña with illustrations by Christian Robinson, the world premiere was directed by Henry Godinez, adapted for the stage by Cheryl L. West, and music and lyrics by Paris Ray Dozier and Lamont DozierLamont, who has penned and produced over 54 #1 hits (such as “Baby I Need Your Loving,” “How Sweet It Is,” “Reach Out, I’ll Be There,” and “You Can’t Hurry Love”). The cast includes Alejandro Vega as CJ, Greta Oglesby as Nana, Ansa Akyea as Mr. Dennis, and Dwight LeslieAutumn Ness, Calvin Zimmerman, and Kennedy Lucas playing a variety of roles. The production had its premiere at CTC in 2018 and received such praise as, “Hamilton, Junior” (Star Tribune), “Relentlessly upbeat” (Pioneer Press), and “A much needed antidote for the deluge of cynicism and me-first operators who seem to be running amok in our civic life.”  (Talkin’ Broadway).

 

“We are thrilled to share these two shows that delighted and inspired our audiences,” stated Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius. “In these times, we want to find every way to bring the experience of theatre to young people and families. These productions, through inventive physical comedy, extraordinary music, and powerful stories make us laugh and truly understand ourselves and each other in new ways.”

Prices for both Corduroy and Last Stop on Market Street are set at $25, $35, and $45 with patrons choosing the price level at which they wish to support CTC. Tickets to the virtual performances are available now at childrenstheatre.org.

 

Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) is the nation’s largest and most acclaimed theatre for young people and serves a multigenerational audience. It creates theatre experiences that educate, challenge, and inspire more than 250,000 people annually. CTC is the only theatre focused on young audiences to win the coveted Tony Award® for 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 creating 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 93,000 young people and their communities through Theatre Arts Training, student matinees, Neighborhood Bridges, and early childhood arts education programs. ACT One 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. childrenstheatre.org

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