Photo Flash: First Look at Children's Theatre Company's JACKIE AND ME

Based on the popular book series by Dan Gutman, Jackie and Me by Steven Dietz magically transports audiences back to Jackie Robinson's rookie year at the dawn of the Civil Rights movement. Tony- nominated director Marion McClinton will direct Jackie and Me on the UnitedHealth Group Stage now through April 14. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Joe Stoshack is by far not the best baseball player on his Little League team. He does however have an impressive collection of baseball cards that gives Joe the remarkable ability to time-travel. When he's given an assignment to write a school report about a famous African American, Joe travels back in time to meet one of the greatest baseball players ever-Jackie Robinson-and learns what it was like for the man who endured more than his share of prejudice to break baseball's color barrier. Joe plans to write a prize-winning report but never expects the enduring change in his perception of history and courage.

Celebrated actor Ansa Akyea has been charged with the task of playing the legendary historical figure. Akyea is thrilled to be playing Jackie Robinson. He states: "I can't express the joy and honor it will be to travel through time and revisit the obstacles and barriers that Jackie Robinson overcame by playing baseball. Through his sheer determination, character, and grace in his love of playing baseball, he broke barriers both in sports, and culture, and ultimately changed the American mind by getting to its heart."

Akyea concludes by saying he expects the show to be "full of life lessons, and most of all, to have a huge heart that proves that regardless of circumstance, with a little help and encouragement, we are only limited by what we can dream to achieve." CTC will celebrate this spirit through a city-wide essay competition for third through tenth-graders, adjudicated by author Dan Gutman and former Minnesota Twin Tony Oliva with prize packages from the Minnesota Twins and Fox Sports North.

Jackie and Me runs now through April 14, 2013 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage. As part of CTC's commitment to programming for ages two through eighteen, Jackie and Me is recommended for grades 3 and up. Tickets are on sale now and affordable ticket packages are also still available. For more information visit us online at childrenstheatre.org or call the Ticket Office at 612.874.0400. School performances are already sold out.

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is the first 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 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.