Announcing Wheelock Family Theatre’s 2014-2015 Season
of Professional, Affordable Theatre for Every
Generation
ALICE
October 17 – November 16, 2014
A new musical written and directed by Andrew Barbato
Based on the book “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”
by Lewis Carroll
Musical Director: Robert L. Rucinski. Composer:
Lesley DeSantis. Orchestration: Garrett Taylor. Choreographer: Carla Martinez. Scenic design: Matthew T.
Lazure. Costume design: Lisa Simpson. Props Design: Marjorie Lusignan. Sound
design: Roger Moore.
This new adaptation sends us on a fantastical coming of age adventure.
Alice, relying on her wit and empathy, must negotiate the seemingly arbitrary
rules of polite society; the tea parties, the poetry recitals, the croquet
matches, and the important dates with royalty. In this distorted adult world of
Wonderland, will Alice retain her dreams when pressured by the capricious
nature of conformity?
PINOCCHIO
January 30 – February 22, 2015
Written by Steven Bogart and Wendy Lement
Directed by Steven Bogart
Based on the book “The Adventures of Pinocchio” by
Carlo Colladi
Musical director/Composer: Mary Bichner. Choreographer: Patricia
Manalo Bochnak. Scenic
design: Cristina Todesco. Lighting Design: David Wilson. Costume design:
Miranda Hoffman. Sound design: Roger Moore. Props & Puppet design:
Marjorie Lusignan. Puppet Coach: Roxanna Myhrum.* .
An
original adaption, influenced by Japanese traditions of Kabuki, Noh, and
Bunraku puppetry, Pinocchio will
surprise and delight audiences of all ages. Mystical creatures, live musicians,
and gymnastic choreography make the magical transformation of an animated
puppet to a real boy, a dynamic and deeply moving experience. Despite being lured away from his loving
home by promises of instant fame, fast money, and a life of fun and leisure,
the impetuous Pinocchio must learn what is truly important in life.
THE TASTE OF SUNRISE
March 13 – 22, 2015
Directed by Wendy Lement and Kristin Johnson.
Written by Suzan L. Zeder – PART TWO OF THE WARE
TRILOGY, produced with Emerson Stage (Mother Hicks) and Central Square Theatre
(The Edge of Peace)
Composer: Peter Stewart. Choreographer: Patricia
Manalo Bochnak. Scenic design: Janie Howland. Lighting design: Annie Weigand.
Costume design: Lisa Simpson. Props design: Marjorie Lusignan. Sound design:
Roger Moore.
This bilingual
play—performed in American Sign Language and spoken English—is the second play
in Zeder’s critically acclaimed Ware Trilogy; which will be produced in its entirety in
collaboration with Emerson Stage and Central Square Theatre. The Taste of Sunrise takes place in the mind and memory of Tuc, who journeys through his
childhood from the fever dream that took his hearing, to the language of nature
that he shares with his father, to the deaf school where his mind explodes with
the discovery of sign language. Tuc meets the mysterious Nell Hicks, who heals
with herbs and singing spells; Roscoe, who gives Tuc his name-sign and cultural
identity; and Maizie, a wild child of deaf parents with a head full of movie
palace dreams. After the death of his father,
Tuc navigates the perilous path of love, loss, and language to weave a family
out of wishes. An ensemble of Deaf and hearing directors, designers, and actors
explore the cultural complexities of deafness with humor and compassion.
SHREK the MUSICAL
April 17 – May 24, 2015
Directed by Shelley Bolman
Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay Abaire. Music by
Jeanine Tesori. Based on the Dreamworks film “Shrek”.
Musical director: Matthew Stern. Choreographer:
Patricia Manalo Bochnak. Scenic design: Matthew T. Lazure. Costume design:
Charles G. Baldwin & Lisa Simpson. Props & Puppet Design: Marjorie
Lusignan. Puppet Coach: Roxanna Myhru in collaboration with Puppet
Showplace Theatre. Sound design: Roger Moore.
The 2008
Broadway smash about a horrible ogre, a feisty princess and a garrulous
donkey, Shrek the Musical
simultaneously subverts and fulfills fairy-tale expectations. With wit and a
mischievous humor, we follow our misanthropic, green hero as he learns about
the power of friendship and the magical nature of love; all while thwarting a
dastardly villain. Based on the irreverent book by William Steig and
the award-winning animated film by DreamWorks, this singing, dancing
extravaganza explores the relative nature of beauty, the beguiling myth of
“happily-ever-after”, and the
importance of accepting yourself for who you really are.
Wheelock Family Theatre is a professional, non-profit
theatre associated with Actor’s Equity, the union of professional actors and
stage managers. Located on the campus of Wheelock College, Wheelock Family
Theatre seeks to improve the lives of children and families through the shared
experience of live theatre.
