Seattle Children’s Theatre has announced its 2006-07 season which features four world premieres: OyamO’s “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”; Chad Henry’s “Goodnight Moon”; Bret Fetzer’s “Everyone Knows What a Dragon Looks Like”; and Cheryl L. West’s “Addy: An American Girl Story.”
SCT will also stage Ann Schulman’s “Harriet’s Halloween Candy,” set to new music by Chad Henry; John Olive’s “Jason and the Golden Fleece”; and, in a special addition to the season, the Windmill Performing Arts production of “Afternoon of the Elves,” written by Y York.
The season:
“Harriet’s Halloween Candy” – Sept. 22-Nov. 12:
Adapted by Ann Schulman, who is making her SCT debut, from the book by Nancy Carlson, and set to new music by Chad Henry, “Harriet’s Halloween Candy” is the story of a young girl’s obsession with Halloween candy and the dread of having to share it with her younger brother.
“Jason and the Golden Fleece” – Oct. 13-Nov. 26:
John Olive’s adaptation of the ancient Greek myth Jason and the Argonauts keeps the hallmarks of the original tale-betrayal, struggle, vengeance and Jason’s dangerous journey seeking the famed Golden Fleece to prove his right to be king of Thessaly. With help from an inexperienced but enthusiastic crew-the untried Hercules and budding poet Orpheus-Jason passes through a series of tests, failures and successes to find out that his strength lies within.
“The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” – Dec. 1-Jan. 27:
For its holiday play, Seattle Children’s Theatre will produce “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” with a talented artistic team at the helm-celebrated playwright OyamO (Pink and Say) and noted composer Carman Moore. “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” has had many incarnations – a poem by Goethe, a 19th-century concert piece by French composer Paul Dukas, and Walt Disney’s “Fantasia” – but SCT’s world-premiere production is based on the original ancient Greek tale. When young Charles comes across the queen of the forest and witnesses her magical powers, he vows to become her apprentice. However, his arrogance and disrespect all but ruin his chances, until he learns his lesson and bravely aids the sorcerer in a battle against her villain.
“Goodnight Moon” – Jan. 12-March 10:
SCT is producing the world-premiere adaptation of a book that has delighted children for over half a century, just in time for the book’s 60th anniversary. The crowning achievement of author Margaret Wise Brown, with adored illustrations by Clement Hurd, this long poem of goodnight wishes will be brought to life on SCT’s stage with fanciful song, dance and puppetry. The play’s script, music and lyrics are by Chad Henry.
“Afternoon of the Elves” – Feb. 9-March 25:
Y York’s “Afternoon of the Elves” holds a special place in Seattle Children’s Theatre history-its premiere opened the inaugural season in SCT’s Charlotte Martin Theatre in 1993. In addition, SCT artistic director Linda Hartzell recently directed the production in Adelaide, Australia, which was co-presented by the children’s theatre, Windmill Performing Arts, and the state’s flagship adult theatre company, State Theatre. Nearly all of the critically acclaimed Australian cast will perform in Seattle’s upcoming production. Based on the award-winning book by Janet Taylor Lisle, “Afternoon of the Elves” is a poignant story about imagination, friendship and responsibility. An upwardly mobile Hillary has her social standing jeopardized when she befriends her quirky outcast neighbor Sara Kate. Hillary is drawn in with the secret of an enchanted elf village in Sara Kate’s backyard.
“Everyone Knows What a Dragon Looks Like” – March 23-May 12:
For his SCT debut, local playwright Bret Fetzer adapted from the book of the same name by Jay Williams. In this production, SCT will take its audience into the ancient Chinese city of Wu and will make use of the art form of puppetry. Han, a young orphan, longs for a place to belong – sweeping the gates of the city was not the future he was hoping for. When the marauding Wild Horsemen come to attack Wu, the bumbling Mandarin decrees that all inhabitants should pray to the Great Cloud Dragon for help. After a hermit is ridiculed for announcing herself the dragon, Han shows great generosity that touches the hermit’s heart and causes her to reveal her true Dragon form.
“Addy: An American Girl Story” – April 13-June 17, 2007:
In her first play for SCT, celebrated African-American playwright and Seattle resident Cheryl L. West will adapt Connie Porter’s award-winning Addy books, a series of six historical fiction books in the ever-popular American Girl series. This collection of books focuses on eight girls from different times and places in America’s history and has sold over 50 million copies since 1986. Set on a North Carolina plantation in 1864, “Addy” brings to life the tale of a young girl and her mother who flee slavery, their terrifying separation from their family and their journey to freedom.
SCT’s ticket office will begin taking subscriptions, which range in price from $69 to $182, on April 3. Single tickets range in price from $16 to $32; tickets for “Harriet’s Halloween Candy” will go on sale to the public Aug. 1. For more information about subscriptions or single tickets, call the SCT ticket office at 206-441-4488 or visit www.sct.org.
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