CTC Production of Dr. Seuss' THE CAT IN THE HAT Continues at Manitoba Theatre for Young People, 12/7-21

Continuing in the tradition of creating original work by Dr. Seuss, CTC presented the U.S. premiere of The National Theatre of Great Britain's adaptation of Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat in what the Star Tribune in Minneapolis called a "festive feeding of children's imaginations." CTC has accepted an invitation to bring their acclaimed production of Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat to the Manitoba Theatre for Young People in Winnipeg (Canada) December 7-21, 2012 immediately following its run here in the Twin Cities.

CTC Managing Director Tim Jennings is excited about reviving CTC's work in other markets and sending a production abroad. Jennings explains, "As a Canadian myself, I am excited to be taking a show to my country of origin and to work with long time colleagues at MTYP on this project! Canadian theatre is very strong and often highly supported by the government, so very few U.S. regional theatres have been able to be part of Canadian seasons for strictly financial reasons. Frankly, U.S. Theatres have a hard time competing in the international market due to a lack of governmental investment and subsidy that is common to other countries. Arts and cultural touring is often part of the outreach governments do in order to promote themselves abroad. With The Cat in the Hat, the show was a clear fit in the season, a very well-known title and an artistic priority for MTYP."

Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat was successfully introduced to Twin Cities audiences on CTC's Cargill Stage with an extended run beginning September 25. Performances were added and attendance and financial goals were significantly surpassed. The CTC production will generate additional income for itself as well as for the MTYP and launch a renewed interest in CTC's larger touring and residency work. This will be CTC's first tour to Canada after having toured across the globe, including Tokyo, Shanghai, Moscow, and Broadway. The show is selling very well in Manitoba and will also help ensure a strong financial win for MTYP, Canada's second largest theatre for young people.

CTC is already enjoying another very successful season with record-breaking ticket sales and innovative outreach initiatives. Children's Theatre Company's vision includes access to quality programming for all families with children ages two through eighteen and is the major producer of this work in the English world. The tour to Winnipeg is part of that vision. Jennings concludes, "We are seeing an ever increasing number of invitations from around the country and the world. The economy is driving a need for exploration of new kinds of producing partnerships. After several successful seasons in a tough market, our 'stock' is seen as 'on the rise' and many of our projects under development have huge potential in the national market, so we are an obvious partner."

Jim Lichtscheidl, who is a familiar face to most Twin Cities theatregoers, will be taking over the role of the Cat in the Hat. Lichtscheidl was named "the Twin Cities best comic actor" by Minnesota Monthly and CTC Artistic Director Peter Brosius claims, "It is a coup to have this incredible actor in the role."

For more information, visit childrenstheatre.org or mtyp.ca. Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat completed its run in Minneapolis on Dec 2nd and runs in Manitoba from Dec. 7-21.

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is the only theatre for young people to win the coveted Tony® Award for Outstanding Regional Theater (2003). Founded in 1965, CTC serves more than 300,000 people annually and is one of the 20 largest producing theater companies in the nation. The company is noted for defining worldwide standards for youth theatre with an innovative mix of classic tales, celebrated international productions and challenging new work.

Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat
Based on the book by Dr. Seuss
Originally produced by The National Theatre of Great Britain
Adapted & originally directed by Katie Mitchell
Directed by Jason Ballweber

CTC Creative Team & Production Staff

Props Design Adaptor: Samantha Jones
Costumer: Deborah L. Shippee
Lighting Designer: Rebecca Fuller Jensen
Sound Designer: Sean Healey

National Theatre Creative Team

Director: Katie Mitchell
Designer: Vicki Mortimer
Lighting Designer: Jon Clark
Music: Paul Clark
Sound Designer: Gareth Fry
Movement Director: Joseph Alford
Producer: Pádraig Cusak

Cast

Cat in the Hat………………………………………..……………………….……Jim Lichtscheidl (AEA)
Girl……………………………………………………………………………………..….Elaine Patterson
Boy…………………………………………………………………………….Douglas Neithercott (AEA)
Fish…………………………...…………………………………………………...Jason Ballweber (AEA)
Thing 1…………………………………………………………………………….…….Gabby Zonneveld
Thing 2…………...…………………………………………………...……………………..Noah Crandell

Understudies

Cat in the Hat, Boy…..…………………………………………………………………………..Ryan Lear
Girl…………………………………………………………………………………………….ELise Langer
Thing 1 & 2, Fish………….....…………………………………………..……………………Kenzi Allen

Recorded Musicians:

Victor Zupanc, Keyboard (TCMU)
Carolyn Boulay, Violin (TCMU)
Wade Clark, Trombone (TCMU)
Steve Kimball, Percussion (TCMU)