Area Attractions: Children's Theatre Company - Something Happened in our Town (MN - 2/27 - 3/27)

 Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the CTC commissioned world premiere production of Something Happened in Our Town. The full cast and creative team and bios are available on the website. 

Playwright Cheryl L. West states, "In a time of reckoning in our country, this work is a call to action, to facilitate the much-needed discussion about inclusion, compassion, and what it really means to be peace makers in our homes, schools, and communities. Hopefully, this story will move us one step closer to healing our racial divide.”

 

Friendships challenged, a world changed, and two young people struggling to make sense of it together. Follow friends and neighbors, Josh and Emma, as they navigate their way through an experience beyond their control and understanding.

 

Josh and Emma have many questions about the tragic killing of a Black man by a White police officer. Real questions that deserve real answers. But during conversations over dinner, at bedtime, before and after school, their families (one Black and one White) find such answers don’t come easily. Layered with compassion and humor, this show invites you to walk alongside Josh and Emma as they confront uncertainty within their town and between themselves. More than just a “must see,” this play will help families more fully understand how their neighbors’ experiences might be different than their own.

 

“Something Happened in Our Town accurately and respectfully mirrors the world our kids live in today,” says Kristine Enderle, Editorial Director of Magination Press. “We are thrilled that Children’s Theatre Company is taking the conversation further and partnered with us to produce an honest, unflinching, and authentic work. Together we hope it will empower kids to start a better pattern and actively fight for social justice and respond to the prejudices and exclusion that emerges into their community and schools.”

 

CTC will facilitate talk backs after most performances with community, business, and non-profit leaders as well as CTC staff who’s work or personal experiences intersect with racial equity. Additionally, local CBS-affiliate, WCCO has been following the process of Something Happened in Our Town, which included a family special that aired multiple times talking about race with families and experts and added resources for families and caregivers that can be accessed at wcco.com/inourtown. The television station is also producing a five-part, behind-the-scenes series on the making of Something Happened in Our Town. The episodes will air on their digital platform, CBS News Minnesota throughout February and March, 2022.

 

“When I was given this book, I knew immediately that it was right for us to adapt to the stage,” states CTC Artistic Director, Peter C. Brosius. “This is a story that helps us see these complex issues through the eyes of children and to journey with them as they work to understand and process these events. I knew this was a story that was not only timely, but essential. We so look forward to the conversations that this play will engender and hopefully lead to a deeper insight into each other’s lives and experience.” 

 

Something Happened in Our Town runs February 27-March 27, 2022 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage. Tickets can be purchased at childrenstheatre.org/town or by calling the ticket office at 612.874.0400. Ticket prices range from $15-$63. Something Happened in Our Town is proudly supported by Thomson Reuters, Wells Fargo, Beverly Grossman, and The National Endowment for the Arts.

 

Something Happened in Our Town

Written by Cheryl L. West

Directed by Timothy Douglas

Based on the book Something Happened in Our Town by Marianne Celano, PhD, ABPP; Marietta Collins, PhD; Ann Hazzard, PhD, ABPP

A Children’s Theatre Company World Premiere Production

February 27-March 27, 2022

UnitedHealth Group Stage

Best enjoyed by ages 7 and up

 

Tickets:
The Ticket Office is accessible by phone two hours prior to most performances. These posted hours are subject to change.
Email: tickets@childrenstheatre.org (inquiries only, no ticket processing)
Phone: 612.874.0400
Website: https://childrenstheatre.org
Subscription packages are available. Please see website for complete details: childrenstheatre.org/open
Lap passes available for children newborn to three years for $5

ASL Interpreted Performances: Friday, March 25, 2022 at 7pm

Audio Described Performance: Friday, March 25, 2022 at 7pm

Sensory Friendly Performance: Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 11am

 

Performance Dates

Sunday, February 27, 7pm (Preview)

Tuesday, March 1, 7pm (Preview)

Wednesday, March 2, 7pm (Preview)

Thursday, March 3, 7pm (Preview)

Friday, March 4, 7pm (Opening Night)

Saturday, March 5, 1pm and 5pm (Opening Weekend)

Sunday, March 6, 1pm and 5pm (Opening Weekend)

 

Thursday, March 10, 7pm

Friday, March 11, 7pm

Saturday, March 12, 11am and 3pm

Sunday, March 13, 1pm and 5pm

 

Thursday, March 17, 7pm

Friday, March 18, 7pm

Saturday, March 19, 11am and 3pm

Sunday, March 20, 1pm and 5pm

 

Thursday, March 24, 7pm

Friday, March 25, 7pm (ASL Interpreted and Audio Described Performance)

Saturday, March 26, 11am (Sensory Friendly Performance) and 3pm

Sunday, March 27, 1pm and 5pm (closing)