Leapin’ Lizards – “Annie” Makes its Way to Minneapolis!

MINNEAPOLIS--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) today announced the theatre will, for the first-time in its 45-year history, stage one of the theatre’s most sought-after musicals, “Annie.” Among the most requested titles by patrons, “Annie” will be directed by Peter Rothstein, who brought “Disney’s High School Musical” and “A Year With Frog & Toad” to CTC’s stage in the past.

“There will be World Premieres, stories of heroes and dreamers, swashbuckling swordfights, talking pigs, magic and lots and lots of hats.”

While CTC’s full 2010-2011 season line-up has yet to be formally announced, artistic director Peter C. Brosius says “’Annie’ will be an extremely popular selection, but not the only ‘must-see’ production of the year.” As the theatre prepares to celebrate its 45^th anniversary, Brosius hints that several CTC patron-favorite productions have made their way into the upcoming season. “There will be World Premieres, stories of heroes and dreamers, swashbuckling swordfights, talking pigs, magic and lots and lots of hats.”

The excitement over the 2010-2011 season is heightened by the fact CTC, in its long history, has never produced “Annie,” despite its appeal to youth audiences everywhere. Bringing just the right director to the show, Brosius has enlisted Peter Rothstein, who in addition to being the founding artistic director of Minneapolis’ Theater Latté Da, helped bring CTC’s trademark energy to “Disney’s High School Musical” and a charmingly entertaining production of “A Year With Frog & Toad” to stage. Both shows remain among CTC’s most popular.

Based on the 1920-1930s comic “Little Orphan Annie,” “Annie,” the musical, opened on Broadway in 1977. Set in New York City in the midst of the Great Depression, the story about the young redheaded orphan who finds a father in the billionaire Oliver Warbucks is as well recognized for its hope and optimism as for its long list of musical titles—such as “Hard Knock Life” and “Tomorrow”—that theatre-loving children nationwide know by heart. That knowledge may come in handy for budding thespians this fall, as the theatre plans to select one or more cast members at an open casting call at the Mall of America in September 2010.

“Annie” will run from April 12 through June 26, 2011. Single tickets and subscription packages, which include performance tickets to “Annie,” went on sale March 1. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact CTC’s box office at 612.874.0400 or visit www.childrenstheatre.org.

Remaining productions this season include: According to Coyote, Iron Ring, Disney’s Mulan, Jr. and The Biggest Little House in the Forest.

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. CTC is noted for defining worldwide standards for youth theatre with an innovative mix of classic tales, celebrated international productions and challenging new work.