WILD SWAN THEATER ANNOUNCES 2018-2019 SEASON
WILD SWAN THEATER ANNOUNCES 2018-2019 SEASON
ANN ARBOR – Wild Swan Theater Co-Artistic Directors Hilary Cohen and Sandy Ryder announce the company’s 39th season of performances. Nationally regarded as one of the finest theaters for young people in the country, Wild Swan produces artistic, accessible and affordable theater for families. The upcoming season will feature some of our favorites, including the classics A Honey Pot of Pooh Stories, A Christmas Carol, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Charlotte’s Web, as well as the original and stirring drama Shipwrecked!, based on historical accounts of sailing in the Great Lakes in the late 1800’s.
Running from October through May, the season contains seven productions carefully shaped for various ages and interests which are performed by a troupe of professional actors, dancers, musicians, and ASL performers. Wild Swan plays are known for innovative staging, music composed and performed live for each production, extraordinary puppets and masks, beautiful period costumes, and creative incorporation of movement and dance. Wild Swan Theater is also known for groundbreaking accessibility measures that make plays available to audience members who have auditory, visual or mobility impairments.
Patrons can purchase tickets online through the company’s website at www.wildswantheater.org or by phone at (734) 995-0530. Tickets are on sale now! Discounted group rates are available to parties of 10 or more.
All performances take place at Towsley Auditorium in the Morris Lawrence Building on the campus of Washtenaw Community College. Season productions and performance times are:
A Honey Pot of Pooh Stories (Ages 3-9)
Thu, Oct 25 10:00am
Fri, Oct 26 10:00am and 12:30pm
Sat, Oct 27 11am
Dip into our honey pot of stories featuring children’s all time favorite bear, Winnie the Pooh. You will love joining Pooh as he hums his way through the Hundred Aker Woods. Whether he’s pretending to be a cloud to trick bees out of their honey, hunting heffalumps with Piglet, or stuck in a doorway at Rabbit’s house, Winnie the Pooh is just about the best friend a child could have.
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A Christmas Carol (Ages 8+)
Thu, Dec 6 10:00am
Fri, Dec 7 10:00am and 12:30pm
Sat, Dec 8 2:00pm
Sun, Dec 9 2:00pm
Based on the novel by Charles Dickens and adapted for Wild Swan by Jeff Duncan with original music by composer Tom Schnauber, Wild Swan’s version of this wonderful holiday classic has been created especially for family audiences. A Christmas Carol tells of the astonishing transformation of miserly old Ebeneezer Scrooge after he is visited by three spirits on the night before Christmas.
Owl’s Winter (Ages 3-9)
Thu, Jan 24 10:00am
Fri, Jan 25 10:00am and 12:30pm
Sat, Jan 26 11:00am
A delightful collection of stories for young children based on Arnold Lobel’s Owl at Home. A first introduction to theater especially created to draw young theater goers into the world of theater arts with these carefully chosen and shaped stories.
Under the African Sky (Ages 3-9)
Thu, Feb 21 10:00am
Fri, Feb 22 10:00am and 12:30pm
Sat, Feb 23 11:00am
A delightful collection of African tales performed through storytelling, acting, dancing, and drumming. Colorful costumes, masks, and traditional music will delight and teach our young fans, with lots of opportunities for audience participation!
Shipwrecked! (Ages 8+)
Thu, Mar 7 10:00am
Fri, Mar 8 10:00am and 12:30pm
Sat, Mar 9 2:00pm
Shipwrecked! is a stirring coming of age drama set during a November storm on Lake Huron in 1893. Twelve year old Aaron Buchanan, sailing with his parents on their small schooner loaded with Christmas trees from Sault Ste. Marie, is tested in ways he never dreamed possible when a ferocious gale suddenly materializes in Thunder Bay’s infamous “Shipwreck Alley.” Inspired by the desperate circumstances, he finds the sailing skills, bravery, and physical strength to help effect the daring rescue of his family. This original drama, written by long-time Wild Swan playwright Jeff Duncan, is based on historical accounts of the period and provides older students with a fine opportunity to explore the Great Lakes and Michigan’s history, geography, music and maritime heritage.
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Jack and the Beanstalk (Ages 3-9)
Wed, Mar 20 10:00am
Thu, Mar 21 10:00am
Fri, Mar 22 10:00am and 12:30pm
Sat, Mar 23 11:00am
This lively rendition of a classic tale presents a humorous giant, appropriate for young theater-goers. In Wild Swan’s version, Jack’s journey up the fantastical beanstalk not only leads to his encounter with a very silly giant but to the rescue of his long lost father as well.
Charlotte’s Web (Ages 6+)
Wed, May 1 10:00am
Thu, May 2 10:00am
Fri, May 3 10:00am and 12:30pm
Sat, May 4 2:00pm
Sun, May 5 2:00pm
Charlotte’s Web is possibly the best loved of all American stories for children. It tells the touching story of a rare friendship between a little pig, Wilbur, and Charlotte, a most uncommon spider. The magical words that Charlotte spins in her web not only earn Wilbur a county fair blue ribbon and save his life, but inspire all of us to value what we can share with each other.
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Wild Swan Theater is dedicated to producing professional theater of the highest artistic quality for young people and families that is accessible, diverse and inclusive, through affordable ticket prices and innovative outreach programs.
For more information and interviews, contact Company Manager, Michelle Trame Lanzi at michelle@wildswantheater.org. To learn more about the company and purchase tickets for upcoming productions, visit the Wild Swan Theater website at www.wildswantheater.org.
