Theatre News Wire

After a critically acclaimed premiere at the National Theatre in London, Katie Mitchell's stage adaptation of Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat is crossing the pond for its Chicago premiere at Emerald City Theatre. The Cat, Fish, and Things One and Two all come to life on stage in this script that the Evening Standard calls "faithful to the chaotic exuberance of the original, yet also winningly fresh."

Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat joins three premieres of favorite family stories to complete Emerald City's 2012-2013 Subscription Season at the company's Lincoln Park home, the Apollo Theater. It brings outstanding artists to Emerald City's stage, including composer Ryan Scott Oliver (Disney Theatricals' Freaky Friday, 35mm, Darling) and writer, illustrator, and playwright Mo Willems (Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Elephant and Piggie). A season made up entirely of titles new to Chicago, the United States, or the world, 2012-2013 will bring Chicago-area families on a whole new adventure.

The season kicks off this July with Alice in Wonderland, adapted and directed by Emerald City's Producing Artistic Director, Ernie Nolan especially for Emerald City's young audience. A series of Ice Cream Party performances (Saturday shows in July and August) celebrate this playful, joyful, and utterly frabjous journey.

Mo Willems' Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical will open in October, adapted from the celebrated picture book by the author himself. Knuffle Bunny wastoured nationally by The Kennedy Center and will make its Chicago premiere at Emerald City. Mo Willems has collected many honors for his writing for early learners, including three Caldecott Honors, two Geisel Medals, and six Emmys.

Alice in Wonderland and Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical will run in repertory with each other during the fall and holiday seasons of 2012.

In January, the world premiere of the musical adaption of The Frog Prince Continued with music and lyrics by the acclaimed Ryan Scott Oliver will run in repertory with The Cat in the Hat. Ryan Scott Oliver is a 2008 Richard Rodgers Award Winner and a 2009 Jonathan Larson Grant recipient. In addition to this commission from Emerald City, Oliver is currently writing the score for Disney Theatricals' Freaky Friday. This adaptation of the favorite John Sciezka (The Stinky Cheese Man, True Story of the Three Little Pigs) story will have its world premiere at Emerald City.

Frog Prince Continued and Dr. Seuss's Cat in the Hat will run in repertory with each other during the winter and spring of 2013.

Following is the lineup for Emerald City Theatre's 2012-2013 Season at the Apollo Theater:

Alice in Wonderland
July 17-December 29, 2012
By Ernie Nolan
Based on the books by Lewis Carroll

Practical Alice follows a peculiar rabbit down his hole and finds herself in a magical, frabjous world. Join her for tea with the Mad Hatter, a croquet match with the Red Queen, and a wild journey with the Cheshire Cat. Emerald City adapts Lewis Carroll's classic story to the stage for the whole family to enjoy. Alice is going on the adventure of her life and you are invited to the tea party!

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical
October 2, 2012-January 6, 2013
Script and Lyrics by Mo Willems
Music by Michael Silversher

In a world where a trip to the Laundromat threatens to separate Trixie from her beloved bunny, a girl needs a hero to help - Dad. Can her parents understand what she's saying in time to rescue Knuffle Bunny? This nationally acclaimed musical written by Mo Willems brings a small heroine with big problems to the Emerald City stage.

Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat
January 26-June 9, 2013
Adaption by Katie Mitchell

The Cat in the Hat is the perfect friend for a boring rainy afternoon. From games and mischief to Thing One and Thing Two, The Cat brings all sorts of trouble to this grey day--but will Sally and her brother be able to explain the mess to Mother? Dr. Seuss' classic leaps onto the stage with chaotic exuberance in this Chicago premiere of the National Theatre in London adaptation.

The Frog Prince Continued
January 26-June 9, 2013
Book by Ernie Nolan
Music & Lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver
Based on the book by John Scieszka

When happily ever after isn't what he expected The Frog Prince heads out for a new adventure. While searching for his true amphibian self, he meets witches from Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Hansel and Gretel, and Cinderella's Fairy Godmother. This musical tour through the enchanted forest is an Emerald City world premiere.