Children's Theatre Company

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The Children's Theatre Company (formerly known as The Moppet Players from 1961 to 1965) is a regional theatre established in 1965 in Minneapolis, Minnesota specializing in plays for families and young audiences and the recipient of a 2003 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. Many productions are inspired by classic children's literature, including adaptations of Pippi Longstocking, The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, Cinderella, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, A Year with Frog and Toad and Alice in Wonderland that have been in the company's repertoire for many seasons and are frequently revived. Among their early premiere productions was Richard Dworsky's musical version of The Marvelous Land of Oz, which was one of several productions to be issued on video in the early 1980s.

It operated as The Children's Theatre Company and School, first as an "after school" component of the Twin Cities' Urban Arts program and, by the early 1980s, as its own accredited grade school and high school. Students were taught regular academic curricula for the first half of the day and then studied performance arts for the second half. Theatre classes were taught by professional company members. The theatre company no longer operates as a school.

The theater was founded by John Clark Donahue along with John Burton Davidson, Shirley Diercks, Martha Pierce Boesing and Beth Leinerson. Donahue left the theater in 1984 after being charged with having sexual relations with three male minor students. Donahue was sentenced to a year in prison and 15 years' probation during which time he was to completely disengage himself from the Children's Theatre Company.[1]

Jon Cranney served as the theater's second artistic director until 1997, when Peter C. Brosius, the then artistic director of the Improvisational Theatre Project of the Mark Taper Forum, became the theater's third artistic director in 1997. During his tenure, the organization was awarded the 2003 Regional Theatre Tony Award, the only time ever a family theater has received this honor. In addition, the theater's production of A Year with Frog and Toad, which completed a run at the Cort Theatre on Broadway in June 2003, was nominated for three Tony Awards. In 1998, under Brosius' leadership, the theater established THRESHOLD, a new play laboratory that has allowed them to work with some of the leading playwrights in America to create world premiere productions: Nilo Cruz, Jeffrey Hatcher, Kia Corthrun, Naomi Iizuka, to name a few. Along with new play development, Brosius has helped launch new education programs, one of which is the acclaimed Neighborhood Bridges program that is being used as a national model. Brosius leads the company alongside Managing Director, Tim Jennings.

Architect Michael Graves designed the new expansion for the theatre in 2001.

Production History

As the Moppet Players

Seasons 1-4 (1961-1965)

Season 1 (1961-1962)
Season 2 (1962-1963)
  • The Reluctant Dragon
  • Madeline
  • Winnie the Pooh
  • The Swineherd
  • Merry Tyll's Pranks
  • Alice Through the Looking Glass
Season 3 (1963-1964)
Season 4 (1964-1965)

As the Children's Theatre Company

Seasons 5-10 (1965-1971)

Season 5 (1965-1966)
Season 6 (1966-1967)
Season 7 (1967-1968)
Season 8 (1968-1969)
Season 9 (1969-1970)
Season 10 (1970-1971)
  • Rip Van Winkle
  • The Little Match Girl
  • Molière's "Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme"
  • The Princess and the Pea
  • The 3 Little Pigs & The 3 Billy Goats Gruff
  • Jerusalem
  • Little Women
  • The Adventures of Huck Finn
  • A Wall
  • Summer Theatre Institute: Children; Goodbye, Goodbye

Season 11-20 (1971-1981)

Season 11 (1971-1972)
Season 12 (1972-1973)
  • Raggedy Ann & Andy
  • Bellavita & Sicilian Limes
  • The Steadfast Tin Soldier
  • The Netting of the Troupial
  • Johnny Appleseed
  • Local Tour: Rutabaga Follies
  • Summer Theatre Institute: Babes in Arms
  • Film: A Suitcase
  • Regional Tour: Rumpelstiltskin & Kalulu and His Money Farm: Two African Tales
Season 13 (1973-1974)
  • The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
  • A Christmas Carol
  • The Nightingale
  • The Boy Friend
  • The Fourposter
  • Regional Tour: Hansel and Gretel, The Nightingale
  • Summer Theatre Institute: Changes
  • Residency (St. Olaf College): Memory Petals
Season 14 (1974-1975)
  • Pinocchio
  • Ukrainian Tales: The Fat Cat & The Chatterbox
  • On the Harmfulness of Tobacco, The Swan Song, A Celebration
  • Cinderella
  • The Nightingale
  • He Who Gets Slapped
  • Peter and the Wolf & The Ugly Duckling
  • The Imaginary Invalid
  • Residency (South High School): No Strings
  • Summer Theatre Institute: The Squeeze
Season 15 (1975-1976)
  • Treasure Island
  • The Sea Gull
  • The Little Match Girl
  • Mother Goose
  • The Snow Queen
  • Twelfth Night
  • A Room in Paradise
  • Regional Tour: Mother Goose
  • Local Tour: Paul Bunyan Meets His Match
  • Summer Theatre Institute: The Empty Place
  • Tour (Mexico): The Nightingale
Season 16 (1976-1977)
  • The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
  • Regional Tour: Goldilocks and the 3 Bears & Little Red Riding Hood
  • The Importance of Being Earnest
  • Cinderella
  • The Dream Fisher
  • Romeo and Juliet
  • Oliver!
  • A Suitcase and Variations on a Similar Theme
  • Summer Theatre Institute: Three Can't Fit in a Rickshaw
Season 17 (1977-1978)
  • Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp
  • Thieves' Carnival
  • The Little Match Girl
  • Beauty and the Beast
  • A Circle is the Sun
  • The Pied Piper of Hamelin
  • The Rivals
  • Punch and Judy & The Three Sillies
  • Summer Theatre Institute: A Taste of Berries
Season 18 (1978-1979)
  • The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
  • Hansel and Gretel
  • A Christmas Carol
  • The Little Mermaid
  • Good Morning, Mr. Tillie
  • Pinocchio
  • The Green Beetle Dance
  • The Sitwells at Sea
  • Residency (South High School): Bullseye
  • Summer Theatre Institute: Summer Matters
Season 19 (1979-1980)
  • Treasure Island
  • The Emperor's New Clothes
  • Sleeping Beauty
  • The Hound of the Baskervilles
  • Falling Moon
  • Dr. Seuss' The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins
  • Moon Over Rio
  • The Festival of Our Lord of the Ships
  • Summer Theatre Institute: Equinox, Stargazer
Season 20 (1980-1981)
  • The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
  • The Story of Babar, the little elephant
  • Cinderella
  • The Three Musketeers
  • The Clown of God
  • The Marvelous Land of Oz
  • Video: The Marvelous Land of Oz
  • Summer Theatre Institute: Desert in Flower, The Great American Family, Merely Players

Seasons 21 (1981-1982)

  • Kidnapped in London
  • Puss in Boots
  • The Little Match Girl
  • The Cookie Jar
  • Phantom of the Opera
  • Alice in Wonderland
  • Video: Alice in Wonderland & Puss in Boots
  • Outreach Tour: Brothers and Sisters
  • Summer Theatre Institute: Across Town, The Contenders, Ten-and-a-Half

Season 22 (1982-1983)

  • Dr. Seuss' The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins
  • Mr. Pickwick's Christmas
  • Pippi Longstocking
  • The Clown of God
  • The Red Shoes
  • The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
  • The Wind in the Willows
  • Outreach Tour: Brothers and Sisters
  • Summer Theatre Institute: Aviation, Catch a Z, The Convention Grill-Part I, One That Goes Out
  • Video: The Red Shoes & The Wind in the Willows

Season 23 (1983-1984)

  • The Secret Garden
  • The Adventures of Babar
  • Cinderella
  • Frankenstein
  • The Nightingale
  • Pinocchio
  • Video: Frankenstein
  • Outreach Tour: Hand in Hand
  • Summer Theatre Institute: Raisin' Cain, Raymond in Space, The Troubles: Children of Belfast

Season 24 (1984-1985)

  • The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
  • Madeline and the Gypsies
  • The Mystery of the Tattered Trunk
  • The Little Match Girl
  • The Princess and the Pea
  • Penrod
  • Outreach Tour: Hand in Hand

Season 25 (1985-1986)

  • King Arthur and the Magic Sword
  • The Adventures of a Bear Called Paddington
  • Goldilocks and the 3 Bears & Little Red Riding Hood
  • Cinderella
  • The Adventures of Mottel
  • Harold and the Purple Crayon
  • Little Women
  • The Emperor's New Clothes
  • Peter Pan

Season 26 (1986-1987)

  • Little House on the Prairie
  • Strega Nona
  • Beatrix Potter's Christmas
  • Hansel and Gretel
  • Rumpelstiltskin & Kalulu and His Money Farm: Two African Tales
  • Dracula
  • Little Miss Hollywood
  • Alice in Wonderland
  • CTC On Tour: Hansel and Gretel

Season 27 (1987-1988)

  • The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
  • Raggedy Ann & Andy
  • Merry Christmas, Strega Nona
  • Young Jane Eyre
  • Harriet the Spy
  • The Troubles: Children of Belfast
  • Dr. Seuss' The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins
  • CTC On Tour: Little Women

Season 28 (1988-1989)

  • The Velveteen Rabbit
  • The Adventures of Robin Hood
  • Beatrix Potter's Christmas
  • The Secret Garden
  • Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars
  • Rembrandt Takes a Walk
  • Pippi Longstocking
  • CTC On Tour: Rumpelstiltskin & Kalulu and His Money Farm: Two African Tales
  • Soviet Exchange: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
  • Soviet Exchange: Rembrandt Takes a Walk

Season 29 (1989-1990)

  • Coyote Discovers America
  • The Story of Babar, the little elephant
  • Cinderella
  • Tomie de Paola's Mother Goose
  • Nancy Drew Mystery
  • The Hobbit
  • Tour (National): Raggedy Ann & Andy
  • Soviet Exchange (Host): A Dream to be Continued

Season 30 (1990-1991)

  • Oliver Twist
  • Madeline's Rescue
  • Peter Pan
  • Cinderella (O'Shaughnessy)
  • Lyle the Crocodile
  • A Midsummer's Night Dream
  • Pinocchio
  • Tour (National/O'Shaughnessy): Pippi Longstocking
  • China Exchange: Dr. Seuss' The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins

Season 31 (1991-1992)

  • A Wrinkle in Time
  • On the Wings of the Hummingbirds: Tales of Trinidad
  • Merry Chrissy, Strega Nona (O'Shaughnessy)
  • Ramona Quimby
  • Our Town
  • Beauty and the Beast
  • The Little Match Girl
  • A Wrinkle in Time (O'Shaughnessy)
  • CTC On Tour: The Canterville Ghost

Season 32 (1992-1993)

  • Treasure Island
  • Mr. Popper's Penguins
  • The Jungle Book (O'Shaughnessy)
  • The Velveteen Rabbit
  • Beatrix Potter's Christmas (O'Shaughnessy)
  • The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
  • CTC On Tour: The Jungle Book
  • The Miser
  • Dr. Seuss' The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins (O'Shaughnessy)

Season 33 (1993-1994)

  • The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
  • Strega Nona Meets Her Match
  • Cinderella
  • Crow and Weasel
  • Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm
  • Alice in Wonderland
  • CTC On Tour: Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm

Season 34 (1994-1995)

  • The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
  • Animal Fables From Aesop
  • Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
  • Amazing Grace
  • East of the Sun and West of the Moon
  • The Wind in the Willows
  • CTC On Tour: Animal Fables (From Aesop)

Season 35 (1995-1996)

  • The Invisible Man
  • Tomie dePaola's Mother Goose
  • Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
  • Linnea in Monet's Garden
  • The Adventure of Mottel
  • The Story of Babar, the little elephant
  • CTC On Tour: Ramona Quimby

Season 36 (1996-1997)

  • Little Women (August 29, 1996-October 19, 1996)
  • The Reluctant Dragon (August 31, 1996-November 3, 1996)
  • Cinderella (November 13, 1996-December 28, 1996)
  • Miss Nelson is Missing (January 7, 1997-April 13, 1997)
  • Don Quixote (February 5, 1997-February 22, 1997)
  • Not Without Laughter (March 4, 1997-April 19, 1997)
  • The Hobbit (April 29, 1997-June 21, 1997)
  • CTC On Tour: A Mark Twain Storybook

Season 37 (1997-1998)

  • The Prince and the Pauper
  • Madeline's Rescue
  • Peter Pan
  • Boundless Grace
  • The Worn-Out Dancing Shoes
  • Dr. Seuss' The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins (April 14, 1998-June 13, 1998)
  • CTC On Tour: Tomie dePaola's Strega Nona

Season 38 (1998-1999)

  • Mr. Popper's Penguins
  • Afternoon of the Elves
  • Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
  • Mr. A's Amazing Maze Plays
  • Whale
  • Once on This Island
  • CTC On Tour: Wondrous Tales of Old Japan

Season 39 (1999-2000)

  • A Village Fable (August 31, 1999-October 30, 1999)
  • Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse (September 7, 1999-November 7, 1999)
  • Cinderella
  • Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham/Garrison Keillor's The Old Man
  • Starry Messenger: A Fantasia on the Life of Gallileo
  • Pinocchio (April 11, 2000-June 10, 2000)
  • CTC On Tour: Tremendously Tall Tales by Capt. Eddie B. Brown and his Traveling All-Star Yokels

Season 40 (2000-2001)

  • Stamping, Shouting & Singing Home (August 29, 2000-October 22, 2000)
  • Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (September 5, 2000-November 5, 2000)
  • The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe (November 15, 2000-January 6, 2001)
  • Lyle the Crocodile (January 16, 2001-April 7, 2001)
  • Mississippi Panorama (February 20, 2001-April 1, 2001)
  • Pippi Longstocking (April 17, 2001-June 9, 2001)
  • CTC On Tour: Lyle the Crocodile

Season 41 (2001-2002)

  • Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (August 21, 2001-November 3, 2001)
  • Dragonwings (September 4, 2001-October 21, 2001)
  • Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (November 14, 2001-January 5, 2002)
  • The Beggars' Strike (January 15, 2002-February 16, 2002)
  • The Snow Queen (February 26, 2002-April 13, 2002)
  • Alice in Wonderland (April 23, 2002-June 16, 2002)
  • CTC On Tour: Grimm Tales

Season 42 (2002-2003)

  • A Year with Frog and Toad (August 20, 2002-November 2, 2002)
  • A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings (September 3, 2002-October 19, 2002)
  • The Wizard of Oz (November 19, 2002-January 12, 2003)
  • Once Upon a Forest (January 21, 2003-March 8, 2003)
  • Korczak's Children (March 18, 2003-April 19, 2003)
  • Dr. Seuss' The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins (April 29, 2003-June 22, 2003)
  • Antigone (May 9, 2003-May 24, 2003)
  • CTC On Tour: Snowflake

Season 43 (2003-2004)

  • Honk! The Ugly Duckling (August 19, 2003-November 1, 2003)
  • Amber Waves (September 2, 2003-October 11, 2003)
  • The Wizard of Oz (November 18, 2003-January 10, 2004)
  • Lily's Purple Plastic Purse (January 20, 2004-March 6, 2004)
  • Prom (March 4, 2004-March 21, 2004)
  • Snapshot Silhouette (March 16, 2004-April 17, 2004)
  • The Magic Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle (April 27, 2004-June 20, 2004)
  • CTC On Tour: Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse

Season 44 (2004-2005)

  • Go, Dog, Go! (August 17, 2004-October 30, 2004)
  • Hansel and Gretel (August 31, 2004-October 9, 2004)
  • A Year With Frog and Toad (November 16, 2004-January 7, 2005)
  • Brooklyn Bridge (January 18, 2005-February 19, 2005)
  • Splash Hatch on the E Going Down (February 2, 2005-February 13, 2005)
  • The Monkey King (March 1, 2005-April 16, 2005)
  • The Hobbit (April 26, 2005-June 19, 2005)

Season 45 (2005-2006)

  • Sleeping Beauty (August 23, 2005-October 29, 2005)
  • 4-ISH (August 31, 2005-October 8, 2005)
  • The Cat's Journey (October 4, 2005-October 30, 2005)
  • Flow (November 3, 2005-November 20, 2005)
  • Disney's Aladdin (November 15, 2005-January 6, 2006)
  • Reeling (January 17, 2006-March 4, 2006)
  • Prom - in partnership with New Paradise Laboratories (February 14, 2006-March 19, 2006)
  • Esperanza Rising (March 14, 2006-April 15, 2006)
  • Anon(ymous) (April 4, 2006-April 30, 2006)
  • Pippi Longstocking (April 25, 2006-June 18, 2006)

Season 46 (2006-2007)

  • The BFG (Big Friendly Giant) (August 22, 2006-October 29, 2006)
  • The Watsons Go To Birmingham - 1963 (September 5, 2006-October 7, 2006)
  • Antigone (October 24, 2006-November 19, 2006)
  • Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (November 8, 2006-December 31, 2006)
  • Disney's High School Musical (January 3, 2007-March 11, 2007)
  • Tales of a West Texas Marsupial Girl (January 16, 2007-February 25, 2007)
  • Huck Finn (March 6, 2007-April 7, 2007)
  • The Lost Boys of Sudan (March 27, 2007-April 22, 2007)
  • Seussical (April 24, 2007-June 17, 2007)
  • The Green Sheep (May 8, 2007-June 3, 2007)

Season 47 (2007-2008)

  • Disney's High School Musical (June 28, 2007-July 22, 2007)
  • Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (August 21, 2007-October 28, 2007)
  • Average Family (September 4, 2007-October 6, 2007)
  • Fashion 47 (September 25, 2007-October 21, 2007)
  • A Special Trade (November 6, 2007-December 30, 2007)
  • A Year With Frog and Toad (November 13, 2007-January 5, 2008)
  • Bud, Not Buddy (January 15, 2008-February 16, 2008)
  • The Stones (February 12, 2008-March 9, 2008)
  • If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (February 26, 2008-April 6, 2008)
  • The Magic Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle (April 22, 2008-June 15, 2008)

Season 48 (2008-2009)

  • If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (July 8, 2008-July 20, 2008)
  • Peter Pan (September 5, 2008-January 3, 2009)
  • Madeline and the Gypsies (September 16, 2008-October 26, 2008)
  • Five Fingers of Funk (October 21, 2008-November 16, 2008)
  • The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (November 11, 2008-January 3, 2009)
  • The Gruffalo (January 13, 2009-February 22, 2009)
  • Romeo and Juliet (February 10, 2009-March 15, 2009)
  • Iqbal (March 3, 2009-March 28, 2009)
  • Circoluna (Circus Moon) (March 31, 2009-April 26, 2009)
  • Ramona Quimby (April 21, 2009-June 7, 2009)

Season 49 (2009-2010)

  • Bert & Ernie, Goodnight! (September 8, 2009-October 25, 2009)
  • The Mayhem Poets (October 13, 2009-November 7, 2009)
  • Cinderella (November 10, 2009-January 2, 2010)
  • Mr. McGee and the Biting Flea (January 20, 2010-February 21, 2010)
  • According to Coyote (February 9, 2010-March 21, 2010)
  • Iron Ring (March 9, 2010-April 10, 2010)
  • Disney's Mulan Jr. (April 27, 2010-June 13, 2010)
  • The Biggest Little House in the Forest (April 27, 2010-June 20, 2010)

Season 50 (2010-2011)

  • Dr. Seuss' The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins (September 7, 2010-October 30, 2010)
  • Robin Hood (September 28, 2010-December 5, 2010)
  • A Christmas Story (November 16, 2010-December 31, 2010)
  • Babe, the Sheep Pig (January 11, 2011-February 27, 2011)
  • Barrio Grrrl!: A New Musical (March 2, 2011-March 27, 2011)
  • Annie (April 12, 2011-June 26, 2011)

Season 51 (2011-2012)

  • Mercy Watson to the Rescue! (September 6, 2011-October 23, 2011)- United Health Group Stage
  • A Wrinkle in Time (September 27, 2011-December 4, 2011)- Cargill Stage
  • The Wizard of Oz (November 8, 2011-January 8, 2012) - Holiday Special Show - United Health Group Stage
  • Harold and the Purple Crayon (January 17, 2012-February 26, 2012)- United Health Group Stage
  • Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy (March 13, 2012-April 8, 2012)- United Health Group Stage
  • Pippi Longstocking (April 24, 2012-June 10, 2012)- Summer Finale- United Health Group Stage - Success of the Season!!

Season Theme: Every Child's a Hero!

Season 52 (2012-2013)

  • Buccaneers (September 11, 2012-October 21, 2012) United Health Group Stage
  • Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat (September 25, 2012-December 2, 2012)- Cargill Stage
  • Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (November 6, 2012-December 30, 2012)- Holiday Special Show - United Health Group Stage - Sold Out!- Success of the Season
  • Pinocchio (January 15, 2013-February 24, 2013)- United Health Group Stage - Very Creative
  • The Biggest Little House in the Forest (January 24, 2013-March 17, 2013)- Preschool Show - Cargill Stage
  • Jackie and Me (March 12, 2013-April 14, 2013)- United Health Group Stage
  • Alice in Wonderland (April 30, 2013-June 15, 2013) - United Health Group Stage
  • If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (June 21, 2013-July 21, 2013)- Summer Finale - United Health Group Stage

Season 53 (2013-2014)

  • Charlotte's Web (September 17, 2013-October 27, 2013) United Health Group Stage- Season Premiere
  • The Wong Kids in the Secret of the Space Chupacabra Go! (October 8, 2013-November 17, 2013) - Cargill Stage
  • Cinderella (November 12, 2013-January 5, 2014) - United Health Group Stage - Holiday Show- Success of the Season
  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favorites (January 14, 2014-February 23, 2014) - United Health Group Stage
  • The Scarecrow and His Servant (March 11, 2014-April 6, 2014) - United Health Group Stage
  • Balloonacy (March 25, 2014-May 4, 2014) - Cargill Stage - Preschool Show
  • Shrek the Musical (April 22, 2014-June 8, 2014) - United Health Group Stage
  • Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat (May 22, 2014-July 20, 2014) - Cargill Stage

Coordinates: 44°57′29.52″N 93°16′22.89″W / 44.9582000°N 93.2730250°W / 44.9582000; -93.2730250

References

  1. ↑ New York Times, November 9, 1984

External links

  • Complete list
  • (1976–2000)
  • (2001–2025)
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