Children’s Theatre announces 2015-16 season

A pig and a politician, an elephant and an emigrant, a china rabbit and a commedia princess all figure in Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s 2015-16 season – and three shows get world premieres.

“Elephant and Piggie’s We are in a Play!,” Sept. 26-Oct. 11. Mo Willems adapted her own books about best friends, and Deborah Wicks La Puma wrote the songs.

“Coraline,” Oct. 16-31: The Neil Gaiman novel becomes a musical by David Greenspan and Stephin Merritt. Coraline gets bored by her colorless surroundings and goes through a magic door, but she’s trapped in an unsettling parallel world.

“The Commedia Princess and the Pea,” Nov. 14-22. Lane Riosley and Rebecca L. Byars adapted the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale about a princess who must pass a (non)-sleep test by detecting a pea under 20 mattresses.

“Ella’s Big Chance: A Jazz Age Cinderella,” Dec. 4-20. In the world premiere of Joan Cushing’s musical set in the Roaring 20s, Ella’s stepmom and stepsisters snap up dazzling dresses she designs, until the Duke takes an interest.

“ ’Twas the Night Before…,” Dec. 12-23. April Jones weaves together stories celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa in a show written for Children’s Theatre.

“The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane,” Jan. 29-Feb. 7. The title character, a selfish toy rabbit with a devoted owner, gets lost and discovers a capacity for loving others on a round-the-world journey. Dwayne Hartford based his play on the novel by Kate DiCamillo.

“Journey to Oz,” Feb. 19-March 6. Christopher Parks adapted the works of L. Frank Baum and W. W. Denslow to create an experiential show, putting the audience into the action as Dorothy and her friends battle the Wicked Witch.

“Hare & Tortoise,” Feb. 27-28. Brendan Murray revisits the famous race in a story for very young kids.

“Danny, King of the Basement,” March 11-20. In David S. Craig’s play, 10-year-old Danny and his mom can’t scrape together enough money to live in one place for long. Danny keeps the reason for moving to himself until he finally has to test a friendship.

“Schoolhouse Rock Live!” (April 8-24). The TV show comes to life in the hands of multiple writers and composers, using songs to teach about history, grammar, politics, math and other subjects.

“The Magic Kite,” April 22-May 1. In this world premiere by José Cruz González, adapted from illustrations by Charlotte’s Rosalia Torres-Weiner, music and puppets help tell the story. Tito’s family reels when Papa is unexpectedly sent back to Mexico, but Tito builds a magic kite that can help.

“PlayPlay!,” multiple dates. The theatrical experience for kids between birth and 3 will do four shows at times yet to be decided.

This story was originally published April 30, 2015 at 9:53 AM with the headline "Children’s Theatre announces 2015-16 season."