2014 - 2015 Season!

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.