- 2023-10-09
2013-14 Theater Series for Young Audiences Announcement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 30, 2013
MARIN THEATRE COMPANY ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF
ITS FIRST THEATER SERIES FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES
FEATURING PRODUCTIONS FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-12
MTC will present four Bay Area Children’s Theatre productions,
as well one of its own, at its theater complex in Mill Valley
from August 2013 to May 2014.
MILL VALLEY, CA—Marin Theatre Company’s artistic director Jasson Minadakis and managing director Michael Barker announced today that the company is launching its first theater series for young audiences during its upcoming 2013/14 season. Featuring five productions in MTC’s 99-seat Lieberman Theatre and 231-seat Boyer Theatre, the season includes four Bay Area Children’s Theatre productions – The Cat in the Hat, A Year with Frog and Toad, Mercy Watson to the Rescue and Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy, the Musical – and an MTC production of Rapunzel. Based in Mill Valley, MTC is a 47-year old professional nonprofit theater that is a destination for exhilarating performances, inspired new American plays and powerful theatrical experiences.
“A juggling cat, a melodious frog and a pig who loves buttered toast are certainly not the types of characters our audiences are used to seeing on our stages,” said MTC’s managing director Michael Barker, “But we can’t wait to bring them to MTC! Our new theater series for young audiences will help us better serve our local community by presenting a season of five family friendly plays. After the wildly successful sold-out run of the Bay Area Children’s Theatre production of Ivy + Bean, the Musical at MTC in March and April, we are so thrilled to partner with BACT to bring more of their high-quality children’s theater to MTC. This new program will provide an important linkage between the artistic excellence of our main stage season and our many inspiring education programs that reach over 6,000 local students in Bay Area every year.”
In August, MTC presents BACT’s The Cat in the Hat, based on the book by Dr. Seuss. Originally produced by the National Theatre of Great Britain, this new stage version was adapted and originally directed by Katie Mitchell. Director Erin Merritt brings this whimsical, fast-paced story about a brother and sister and their unexpected visitor to life right before your eyes.
In November, MTC produces Rapunzel by Mike Kenny, a clever, playful update of the Grimm fairy tale that focuses on taking risks and overcoming fear rather than the petty grudges of witches and daring deeds of princes. Directed by MTC’s Director of Education Daunielle Rasmussen, this production will then tour Bay Area elementary schools and libraries from January 13 to February 7, 2014, through MTC’s School Tour program, now in its seventh year.
In January, MTC presents BACT’s A Year with Frog and Toad, musical based on the books by Arnold Lobel, with music by Robert Reale and book and lyrics by Willie Reale. Lynda Bachman directs this adaptation about two adventurous, amphibious friends, which was nominated for three 2003 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
In March, MTC presents BACT’s Mercy Watson to the Rescue, based on the children’s book series by Kate DiCamillo. Written by Victoria Stewart and directed by Emily Morrison, this hilarious play follows what happens when the Watsons’ new neighbor calls Animal Control on their pet pig!
BACT’s world premiere production of Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy, the Musical closes MTC’s first annual theater series for young audiences in May. Adapted by Julia Norton from the books by David Soman and Jacky Davis, this musical will buzz into your heart, as Lulu, Sam and their playground friends explore the power of imagination.
Five-show, full-series packages to MTC’s theater series for young audiences are available now – $75 for children and $100 for adults. Tickets for individual performances go on sale July 2. Tickets are $15 for children under the age of 14, $20 for adults and $17 for seniors over 64. For more information about tickets, visit marintheatre.org or contact MTC’s Box Office, (415) 388-5208. Tickets for MTC’s theater series for young audiences are only available through MTC’s Box Office – BACT’s four-show Flex Passes are not applicable for MTC performances.
Previously, during the 2012/13 season, MTC partnered with BACT to present seven sold out performances of BACT’s Ivy + Bean, the Musical, which was also performed at Freight and Salvage Coffee House in Berkeley and Front Row Theater in San Ramon.
In addition to its theater series for young audiences, MTC previously announced that its 2013/14 mainstage season includes five plays that are appropriate for youth and teens. Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol (November 21 – December 15, 2013) and Failure: A Love Story (June 5 – June 29, 2014) are recommended for ages 6 and up; I and You (October 10 – November 3, 2013) for ages 11 and up; and Good People (August 22 – September 15, 2013) and Fences (April 10 – May 4, 2014) for ages 13 and up. Read MTC’s season announcement for more information about these plays.
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CALENDAR
All performances at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on each scheduled day.
August 10, 11, 17 & 18, 2013
The Cat in the Hat
Bay Area Children’s Theatre production
Adapted by Katie Mitchell | Based on the book by Dr. Seuss
Directed by Erin Merritt
November 2, 3, 9 & 10, 2013
Rapunzel
Marin Theatre Company production
By Mike Kenny
Directed by Daunielle Rasmussen
January 11, 12, 18 & 19, 2014
A Year with Frog and Toad
Bay Area Children’s Theatre production
Music by Robert Reale | Book and lyrics by Willie Reale | Based on the books by Arnold Lobel
Directed by Lynda Bachman
March 8, 9, 15 & 16, 2014
Mercy Watson to the Rescue
Bay Area Children’s Theatre production
Written by Victoria Stewart | Based on the book by Kate DiCamillo
Directed by Emily Morrison
May 24, 25, 31 and June 1, 2014
Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy, the Musical | World Premiere
Bay Area Children’s Theatre production
Book, Music and Lyrics by Julia Norton | Adapted from the books by David Soman and Jacky Davis
Director TBA
All productions performed at Marin Theatre Company, 397 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley.
Note: Programming and scheduling are subject to change.
ABOUT BACT
Founded in 2004 as Active Arts Theatre for Young Audiences, Bay Area Children’s Theatre encourages children to explore literature, language and the arts by producing stage adaptations of children’s books in Berkeley and San Ramon, as well as on tour to Bay Area schools and libraries. BACT’s productions feature professional adult performers working with artistic teams who understand how to make theater compelling and accessible for young audiences. The company also creates new work and mounts productions specially designed for preschool age children. BACT’s active and growing Youth Education Program complements their theatrical offerings by giving children and teens performance opportunities in theater arts through classes, workshops and summer camps.
ABOUT MTC
Founded in 1967, Marin Theatre Company is the Bay Area’s premier mid-sized theater and the leading professional theater in the North Bay. We produce a six-show season of provocative plays by passionate playwrights from the 20th century and today in our intimate 231-seat proscenium theater. We are committed to the development and production of new plays by American playwrights, with a comprehensive New Play Program that includes two nationally recognized annual playwriting awards, new play readings and workshops by the nation’s best emerging playwrights and a leadership position in the National New Play Network. Our numerous education programs serve more than 6,000 students each year.
PRESS CONTACT
Sasha Hnatkovich, Communications Director
(415) 388-5200, ext. 3313 | email
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