Imagination Takes Flight with Peter Pan the Musical at Childrens Theatre Company Launching April 21

Minneapolis, MN Childrens Theatre Company (CTC) is thrilled to present Peter Pan the Musical for the first time on our stage, April 21 through June 21, 2015 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage. Ivey Award-winner Peter Rothstein directs with choreography by Joe Chvala (Flying Foot Forum). The creative team of national theatre luminaries includes Set Designer Walt Spangler (Broadway credits include A Christmas Story the Musical, Scandalous, Desire Under the Elms), Costume Designer Linda Cho (Tony Award for A Gentlemans Guide to Love and Murder) and Sound Designer Philip S. Rosenberg (Broadway credits include The Elephant Man and A Gentlemans Guide to Love and Murder).

It is not surprising that Barrie's story, with all of its adventure, magic, and wisdom, has been a profound source of inspiration for generations, said director Peter Rothstein. One of my favorite themes running through Barrie's story is the power of story itself. Barrie implies that the need for story is instinctive to every human being. Stories are incredibly powerful things. They can teach us right from wrong; they can trigger our imaginations; they can lead to a more compassionate world.

Peter Pan and his mischievous fairy sidekick Tinker Bell visit the nursery of the Darling children late one night in search of his missing shadow. He takes the Darling children on the adventure of a lifetime as they unite with the Lost Boys and Tiger Lily and her Pounce to defeat the villainous Captain Hook and his band of pirates. Featuring the iconic songs "I'm Flying," "I've Gotta Crow," "I Won't Grow Up," and "Never Never Land," and a rousing book full of magic, warmth, and adventure, Peter Pan is the perfect show for the child in all of us who dreamed of soaring high and never growing up.

In December, Childrens Theatre Company announced the casting for Peter Pan the Musical. Ivey Award-winner for Emerging Artist Tyler Michaels plays Peter Pan, Alanna Saunders (Tiger Lily in NBCs Peter Pan LIVE!) is Wendy Darling, and CTC Company Member Reed Sigmund plays Captain Hook. Full cast listing is below.

Childrens Theatre Company recognizes the controversy around Native American representation in the original Broadway script. In order to address these issues and work collaboratively towards a more respectful representation, CTC initiated a series of conversations with local and national Native artists and educators, as well as Native members of CTC staff and board, which revealed the depth of harmful and problematic elements in the original material. As a theatre for young audiences, CTC takes the confusion and harm caused by ongoing misrepresentation of Native Americans very seriously. CTC presented a revised script to the license holders, Music Theatre International, which stripped all references to a Native tribe, and instead replaced them with a strong group of young women, now called Tiger Lilys Pounce. The changes were approved.

Full commentary from CTC Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius on these changes can be read here: http://childrenstheatre.org/about-us/newsfeed/604-changes-to-peter-pan-the-musical

Peter Pan the Musical runs April 21 June 21, 2015 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage. As part of CTCs commitment to programming for ages two through eighteen, Peter Pan the Musical is recommended for all ages. Tickets are on sale now starting at $10. For more information, visit us online at childrenstheatre.org or call the Ticket Office at 612.874.0400. The production is sponsored by Land O Lakes, Inc. Media partners are the Star Tribune and KS95. Flying effects provided by ZFX, Inc.

Childrens 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 nearly 250,000 people annually and is one of the 25 largest regional theater companies in the nation. The company is noted for defining a national standard for youth theatre with an innovative mix of classic tales, celebrated international productions and challenging new work. CTC celebrates 50 years in the 2015-2016 season.

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