The Growing Stage has announced their 2010–2011 season. Check it out and mark your calendars. And purchase tickets!
Play by Kevin Kling, Music by Michael Koerner
Adapted from the books by author Richard Scarry
WHEN: September 24 – October 24, 2010
Saturdays & Sundays at 4:00 PM
Opening Performance only: Friday, September 24, 7:30 PM
Busytown is always buzzing with activity. But what do people do all day? That’s where Huckle Cat comes in—he’ll take us on a tour of his great neighborhood. And there is so much to see and do, so many wonderful friends to visit. Huckle shows us how Farmer Pig and Grocer Cat work together to bring food to the town. Construction Worker and his crew build new houses, and Fire Chief and the gang keep them safe. Isn’t it wonderful how everyone works together to keep Busytown busy?
Also available to schools as a Main Stage Matinee!
Audience Recommendation: All Ages
Play by Stephen L. Fredericks
Music and Lyrics by Derek Dibbern and David Spellman
Adapted from the book by L. Frank Baum
WHEN: November 19 – December 19, 2010
Fridays at 7:30 PM, Saturdays & Sundays at 4:00 PM
Before the tale created by toy stores and corporations, L. Frank Baum, the author of The Wizard of Oz, wrote down his own magical biography of the man called Santa Claus. As a young foundling he is raised by the Immortals who care for the plants and animals. He is taught to respect nature and to care for its beauty, but as he grows older Claus yearns to know more of his “own kind.” He leaves the protection of the Immortals and finds that humans not only don’t respect nature, they are not too kind to each other either. He builds wonderful toys for the children of the village, but despite his good intentions, the evil Baron attempts to stop Claus from creating “useless distractions that stop progress!” Despite the support of his three magical friends who accompany Claus, this becomes a battle for the right to imagine! This is Baum’s American mythology which celebrates the greatest gift we share with each other—love!
Audience Recommendation: All Ages
The Wizard of Oz
Book by L. Frank Baum
Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg
Background Music by Herbert Stothart
Dance and Vocal Arrangements by Peter Howard
Orchestration by Larry Wilcox
Adapted by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company
WHEN: January 21 – February 27, 2010
Fridays at 7:30 PM, Saturdays and Sundays at 4:00 PM
Dorothy Gale, is a young girl who lives on a farm in Kansas with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. To escape her mean neighbor, Miss Gulch, who wants to take away her dog Toto, Dorothy runs away. She and Toto meet up with kind Professor Marvel, who convinces her to go back home. A cyclone hits the area, and Dorothy and Toto are locked out of the family’s storm cellar. They go into her room in the house, where Dorothy is accidently hit on the head. This begins their journey to the Land of Oz.
When she wakes up in Oz, Dorothy is greeted by Glinda, the Witch of the North (who has an uncanny resemblance to Aunt Em.) Upon landing, Dorothy’s house inadvertently lands on and fatally strikes the Wicked Witch of the East. This frees the Munchkins from the Wicked Witch of the East’s power, so they now consider Dorothy their heroine. The Wicked Witch of the West (Miss Gulch) comes to avenge her sister’s death and to claim her sister’s magic ruby slippers, only to find that Glinda has already put them on Dorothy’s feet. Dorothy wants to go back home to Kansas, but the Munchkins tell her the only one who may help her get back home is the Wizard of Oz. Along her journey Dorothy meets the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and a Cowardly Lion who befriend her on her quest. Together with her new found friends, Dorothy is off to see the Wizard!
Audience Recommendation: All Ages
Play by Richard R. George
Adapted from the book by Roald Dahl
WHEN: March 18 – April 17, 2010
Fridays at 7:30 PM, Saturdays and Sundays at 4:00 PM
A magical peach! An imprisoned boy! Insect friends! An incredible journey! This amazing adventure of James Henry Trotter will fulfill the fantasy of anyone who has ever dreamed of escape. Roald Dahl’s story comes hilariously to life in this delightful dramatization that reveals the wickedness of some, the goodness of others, and the indecision encountered by many when they are faced with crises. You will see James (as he cleverly gets the Peach out of danger), the wise Old-Green-Grasshopper and the pessimistic Earthworm. You will also see James’ mean Aunt Spiker and cruel Aunt Sponge come to a suitably sticky end.
Audience Recommendation: All Ages
To purchase season tickets, click here.
The Growing Stage
The Historic Palace Theatre
Route 183
7 Ledgewood Avenue
P.O. Box 36
Netcong, New Jersey 07857
973.347.4946 · e-mail: info@growingstage.com
