Announcing the 2008-2009 Season of Plays

THE BOXCAR CHILDREN
Recommended for Ages 7+
By Barbara Field
Adapted from the novels by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Originally commissioned and produced by Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle, WA.
Produced by special arrangement with Plays for Young Audiences. A partnership of Seattle Children’s Theatre and Children’s Theatre Company-Minneapolis

Public Performances: Friday, October 10 at 7 pm,
Saturdays & Sundays at 2 pm: October 11-12, 18-19, 25-26
On-School-Time Performance Dates: October 15-17, 22-24, and 29-31

The adventures of four clever runaway siblings living in an abandoned boxcar

The thrilling story of four newly orphaned siblings -- Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny Alden, set in the Depression era. When the children find out they're bound for separate foster homes, they run away in order to keep their family together. They manage to elude the authorities and eventually stumble upon an abandoned boxcar that they fashion into their new home. Pursued by the authorities and a mysterious stranger, the children discover the rewards and perils of life on the run, as well as the joy of keeping their family together.

MADELINE’S CHRISTMAS
Recommended for Ages 4+
Book and lyrics by Jennifer Kirkeby, Music by Shirley Mier
Based on the book by Ludwig Bemelmans
Produced by special arrangement with DRAMATIC PUBLISHING, Woodstock, Illinois

Public Performances: Friday, December 12 at 7 pm
Saturdays & Sundays: December 13 at 2 pm & 5:30 pm,
December 14 at 2 pm, December 19 at 7 pm,
December 20 at 2 pm & 5:30 pm, December 21 at 2 pm
On-School-Time Performance Dates: December 10-12, and 16-19

"In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived twelve little girls in two straight lines."

It’s Christmas Eve in Paris and everyone is in bed with the flu, except for the ever-resilient Madeline. Expecting to see Santa, Madeline answers a mysterious knock at the door to find the Rug Merchant who has brought twelve very special rugs. The girls fly home on magic carpets to be with their families for Christmas! While they’re away Miss Clavel finds a present that the girls left for her, befriends a little mouse, and counts her many blessings. Before you know it, the girls fly back spend New Year's Eve together again. They thank Madeline for taking care of them and making their Christmas so special!

THE SECRET LIFE OF GIRLS
Recommended for Ages 12+
By Linda Daugherty
Originally commissioned and produced by Dallas Children’s Theatre
Produced by special arrangement with DRAMATIC PUBLISHING, Woodstock, Illinois

Public Performances: Friday, January 30 at 7 pm
Saturdays & Sundays at 2 pm: January 31, February 1, 7, 8
On-School-Time Performance Dates: January 27-30
and February 3-6, 10-13

In this honest and unflinching dramatization of teen-girl angst, a window is opened into the tumultuous and destructive world of girls' bullying.

Abby seeks to gain acceptance as the newest member of the school championship volleyball team. As she and her teammates struggle to find a friend, a place in the group and themselves, their jockeying for position is sometimes humorous and often heartbreaking.

Based upon interviews with girls on the giving and receiving end of bullying, the play highlights the impact of "cyberbullying," the facilitation of mean-spirited behaviors through the use of cell phones, text and instant messaging, e-mail and chat rooms. The portrayal of the sobering reality of these girls' lives can start a conversation in homes, schools and communities, providing the opportunity to reveal the secrets and address the complexities which dominate the lives of many young women.

HONUS AND ME
Recommended for Ages 8+
By Stephen Dietz
Adapted from the book by Dan Gutman
Originally commissioned and produced by Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle, WA.
Produced by special arrangement with Plays for Young Audiences. A partnership of Seattle Children’s Theatre and Children’s Theatre Company-Minneapolis

Public Performances: Friday, March 13 at 7 pm
Saturdays & Sundays at 2 pm: March 14, 21-22, 28-29, April 4-5 On-School-Time Performance Dates:
March 11- 12, 17-20, 24-27 and March 31–April 3

A show for all ages, enjoyed by anyone who has ever collected baseball cards or played a game of catch.

Joey Stoshack is the Strike Out King of Louisville, Kentucky Little League Baseball. But his problems get bigger and dangerous when he finds Honus Wagner's T-206 baseball card - the most valuable card in the world. The card could help his mother and maybe get his parents back together - but does the card really belong to him? As he struggles to decide the right thing to do, the card's special power bring Honus Wagner into Joey's life along with the chance to play in the 1909 World Series against Ty Cobb. A surprise ending sets everything right again./td>

GO, DOG. GO!
Recommended for Ages 4+
By Stephen Dietz & Allison Gregory
Adapted from the book by P.D. Eastman
Originally commissioned and produced by Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle, WA.
Produced by special arrangement with Plays for Young Audiences. A partnership of Seattle Children’s Theatre and Children’s Theatre Company-Minneapolis

Public Performances: Friday, May 1 at 7 pm
Saturdays & Sundays at 2 pm: May 2-3, 9, 16-17, 30-31
On-School-Time Performance Dates:
April 29-30, May 5-8, 12-15, 19- 21, 26-29 and June 2-5

On your mark, get set, GO, DOG. GO!

In this crayon colored adaptation dogs are here, there and everywhere. They go in. They go out. They experiment with trees. They go in cars, on houses and in water. They climb, and clown and slide and float...and even sleep – but only when they have to. All are enjoying the excursion, and audiences will recognize picture after picture from the book you may well know by heart.