ALL MAINSTAGE TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Akeelah and the Bee
By Cheryl L. West
Based on the screenplay by Doug Atchison
A girl with natural spelling talent from the South Side of Chicago, young Akeelah Anderson is forced to expose her hidden smarts when her principal pushes her to participate in the school spelling bee. At first fearful of being mocked as a “brainiac,” Akeelah eventually agrees to be coached by reclusive and strict Dr. Larabee. Plus, her mother doesn’t see the pulchritude (a new word audiences will learn) of spelling an amazing word — so to make it to the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Akeelah will need to make some hard choices and find all the help she can get.
Approx. Length: 70 Minutes
Educators: Find classroom resources and curriculum extensions at coterie.edublogs.org.
Group Leaders: For field trip inquires and pricing CLICK HERE.
SPECIAL EVENT!! ~ INDOORS THIS YEAR!!
Tell-Tale Electric Poe
By Edgar Allan Poe
Adapted by Coterie Artistic Director Jeff Church
Composed by Rex Hobart
One actor…one musician delivering Poe stories and poems with musical lines and retorts from a reactive electric guitar! This show overflows with poetry, riffs, ghosts and morbid prose floating in an atmospheric setting. Horrifying and humorous, our sublime creation blends old with new. Featuring: The Premature Burial and the oft-requested Tell-Tale Heart, as well as several Poe poems. With R.H. Wilhoit interpreting Poe and Rex Hobart live on multiple electric guitars.
Approx. Length: 50 Minutes
A Charlie Brown Christmas
By Charles M. Schulz
Based on the television special by Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson
The animated classic will come to life on The Coterie stage — and a *live jazz trio* will play the original Vince Guaraldi arrangements! Join Charlie Brown on a memorable journey as he tries to direct the school Christmas pageant. In their letters to Santa, everyone seems to be acting materialistic — so Charlie Brown tries to restore holiday spirit with a ragged little fir tree. Experience the power of this wonderful story live onstage as Charlie Brown turns to his best friend Linus to learn the season’s real meaning. Special encore song: Snoopy’s Christmas Eve encounter with the Red Baron!
Approx. Length: 55 Minutes
Educators: Find classroom resources and curriculum extensions at coterie.edublogs.org.
Group Leaders: For field trip inquires and pricing CLICK HERE.
WORLD PREMIERE!
Commissioned by The Coterie Theatre
Only One Day a Year
By Michelle Tyrene Johnson
This National Endowment for the Arts award-winning play intertwines present day with the last segregated days of Fairyland amusement park. Inspired by overlooked Kansas City history!
Two stories told in tandem: In the early 1960s in Kansas City, Rose James uses smarts and determination to try to defeat the racial segregation policy that allowed blacks to visit Fairyland Park only one day each year. Years later, Rose’s granddaughter, Ella, uses her talent and grandmother’s spirit to shine a light on an injustice at her school. Rose and Ella tap into “black girl magic” and empowerment to bring about meaningful change to their lives.
Length: Approx. 65-70 Minutes
Educators: Find classroom resources and curriculum extensions at coterie.edublogs.org.
Group Leaders: For field trip inquires and pricing CLICK HERE.
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
(The Musical)
Based on the book by Mo Willems
By Mo Willems and Mr. Warburton
Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma
Whatever you do, don’t let the Pigeon star in his own musical production! Featuring an innovative mix of actors, puppets, songs, and feathers — plus a script written by Mo Willems, the creator of the #1 New York Times best-selling, Caldecott Honor “Pigeon” picture books, this comedic musical production is even more fun than staying up late to have a hot dog party!
Approx. Length: 60 Minutes
Educators: Find classroom resources and curriculum extensions at coterie.edublogs.org.
Group Leaders: For field trip inquires and pricing CLICK HERE.
WORLD PREMIERE!
See this new youth & family audiences’ version first on The Coterie stage
Doctor Dolittle
Book, Music and Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse
Eccentric Doctor Dolittle, a country physician, has learned to talk to animals — complicating his life and leading to trouble with authorities. Accompanied by his tutor and mentor, Polynesia (a 200-year-old parrot) — as well as a trusty band of human and animal companions — the Doctor sets out to change the way animals are treated and understood in the world. The songs include “I’ve Never Seen Anything Like It,” “My Friend the Doctor,” and the marvelous Academy Award winning song, “Talk to the Animals.”
Approx. Length: 60 Minutes
Group Leaders: For field trip inquires and pricing CLICK HERE.
Original production designs and illustrations by the Kansas City Art Institute Illustration Department's student staffed agency, MICRO: 2022/2023 Season design by Andrea Carrillo.
