CINDERELLA, SHREK, Dr. Seuss' THE CAT IN THE HAT and More Set for Children's Theatre Company's 2013-14 Season

As one of the twenty largest professional regional theatres in the U.S., Children's Theatre Company is the national leader in creating work for young audiences, ages two through eighteen. The 2013-2014 Season will be among the most innovative with three world premieres, two extraordinary guest companies, a new preschool piece and a Broadway musical. The season will also include a beloved classic never before seen at CTC and a Philip Pullman masterpiece brought to the stage for the first time. The Wong Kids in The Secret of the Space Chupacabra Go! by Lloyd Suh is CTC's first ever sci-fi anime inspired production. This world premiere will be co-produced with the Ma- Yi Theater Company and run at CTC before playing in New York.

As Artistic Director Peter Brosius looks ahead to the upcoming season, he is enthusiastic about the collection of work that will run on CTC stages. Brosius explains, "Creating a season is like creating a great meal or assembling a bouquet of flowers. You start with ingredients that you love, that you can't wait to share. You look for productions that will be unique, exciting, challenging and inspiring in their own ways. You want to find new tales that have never been told to your audience and also those stories that the audience may know but find theatrical ways of making them alive and fresh and as startling as when they were first conceived. This season features three world premieres long nurtured in our new play development program, Threshold. We also love to introduce our audience to stellar companies from across the country and around the world and this year we bring you New York's acclaimed Ma-Yi Theater and Canada's Mermaid Theatre. This season is filled with tales that look at what friendship truly means, the challenges of being an outsider, and how we change and grow and become our best selves. I couldn't be more thrilled to share these stories, these artists and these companies with you."

Charlotte's Web

By Joseph Robinette
Based on the Book by E.B. White Directed by Greg Banks UnitedHealth Group Stage

September 17 - October 27 Grades K+

When Fern saves Wilbur, the smallest pig in the litter, from her father's axe, Wilbur feels like nothing bad can ever happen again. The wisecracking barn animals, however know why The Farmer wants to make his new pig fat and tender. Wilbur finds help in the seemingly fragile web of Charlotte the spider who weaves a path to freedom for the pig. Based on the beloved children's book, this heartwarming tale of friendship, devotion and sacrifice will be on the CTC stage for the first time with award-winning director Greg Banks at the helm.

The Wong Kids in The Secret of the Space Chupacabra Go!

Co-Produced with Ma-Yi Theater Company

By Lloyd Suh
Directed by Ralph B. Peña Cargill Stage
October 8 - November 17 Grades 3+

In a story told in the visual style of a graphic novel with the brazen humor of Spaceballs, Violet and Bruce Wong just don't fit in with the other Earth kids. When a neighbor informs Violet and Bruce that an ancient evil beast called the Space Chupacabra is destroying planets, they must use their newly discovered superpowers to save the universe...if they can stop bickering. Violet and Bruce ultimately realize that being different isn't so bad when they have each other. Check out this world premiere production, co-produced with the distinguished Ma-Yi Theater before it heads to New York.

Cinderella

Adapted by John B. Davidson
Original Music by Victor Zupanc
Based on the Fairytale by Charles Perrault Directed by Peter C. Brosius UnitedHealth Group Stage
November 12 - January 5
Recommended for all ages

The holiday hit is coming back to the stage in this raucous production updated to wondrously wacky perfection. You have not truly experienced the magic and spectacle of the downtrodden would-be princess until you've seen it at CTC performed in the enduringly popular panto style with the cross- dressing stepsisters everyone loves to hate. The CTC Acting Company turns this classic fairy tale on its head with side-splitting physical comedy and enough romance and splendor to soften hearts and inspire audiences of all ages to seek their happily ever after.