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The cast of In Your Arms, 2015. Photo by Carol Rosegg.
The cast of In Your Arms, 2015. Photo by Carol Rosegg.
PHOTO EDITORS: CTC production photos for Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax are available by clicking here.
SAN DIEGO (June 12, 2018)—The Old Globe, together with Children’s Theatre Company (CTC), and in partnership with The Old Vic, today updated information for Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax in its U.S. premiere. The production, based on the book The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, is adapted for the stage by David Greig (Artistic Director of Royal Lyceum Theatre Company; recent work: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Cover My Tracks) with music and lyrics written by Charlie Fink (front man/songwriter for the hit musical group Noah and the Whale, 2007–2015).
Globe performances will run July 2 – August 12, part of the Globe’s 2018 Summer Season, on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Opening night is Friday, July 6 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for the general public are on sale now. Single tickets start at $40 for adults and $30 for children ages three and above, and may be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE, or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. CTC performances ran April 17 – June 10, 2018.
Direct from London’s West End comes the critically acclaimed and Olivier Award–nominated musical event of the summer. Silky soft Truffula trees provide the perfect ingredient for a nifty new garment. But when demand skyrockets, who will speak for all the trees in the Truffula forest? Enter The Lorax. Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax has been enchanting adults and children alike for generations, and this summer his irresistible, big-hearted, mustachioed hero will be brought to inventive life in what critics call a “mad, uproarious delight” (The Independent). Audiences of all ages will be thrilled by the brilliant, eye-popping colors, infectious music, and beloved story that the Financial Times called “joyous and all-too-timely.”
H. Adam Harris, along with Meghan Kreidler and Rick Miller puppeteering, will play The Lorax. Joining them is Steven Epp as The Once-ler, as well as Ansa Akyea (Once-ler Dad, Mayor, Inspector), Christopher Becknell (Musician, Storyteller), Stephanie Bertumen (Once-ler Family, McGee, Inspector), Brian Bose (Once-ler Family, Bear), Ryan Colbert (Small Ed, Storyteller), Lynnea Doublette (McGann, Storyteller), Johannah “Joh” Easley (Child, Once-ler Family), Rajané Katurah (Granny Once-ler, Von Goo), Ryan Lear (Musician, Storyteller), Ryan Dean Maltz (Storyteller), Emily Michaels King (Swan, Once-ler Family), and Autumn Ness (Mommy Once-ler, Samelore Bews).
Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax, originally produced at The Old Vic in London, is directed by Max Webster (Associate Director, The Old Vic), with choreography by Drew McOnie (Olivier Award, Best Theatre Choreographer, In the Heights), scenic and costume design by Rob Howell (Broadway’s Groundhog Day, Matilda the Musical, Ghost the Musical, Private Lives), lighting design by Jon Clark (Associate Artist, Royal Shakespeare Company), and sound design by Tom Gibbons (Oliver Award, Best Sound Design, People, Places and Things). Puppet direction is by Finn Caldwell (Broadway’s War Horse and Angels in America), puppetry design by Finn Caldwell and Nick Barnes (West End’s Mr. Popper’s Penguins), and musical supervision and arrangements by Phil Bateman (original music director, West End Billy Elliot the Musical; vocal arranger for the film Kinky Boots). The Globe creative team includes associate director James Vásquez (the Globe’s American Mariachi and Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!), music direction by Elan McMahon (the Globe’s Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!), and production stage manager Stacy McIntosh.
“Dr. Seuss Enterprises is thrilled to see this fantastic show, which premiered at The Old Vic in London, make its way across the ocean to two theatres with whom we have longstanding relationships—Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis and The Old Globe in San Diego,” said Susan Brandt, President of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. “With continued headlines focused on environmental concerns such as deforestation, pollution, and melting ice caps, The Lorax’s message is one that remains relevant and poignant almost 50 years after it was written. It is gratifying to see three of the world’s best theatres bring Ted Geisel’s important message about taking care of our planet and each other to the next generation of Seuss fans and naturalists.”
“Having Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax at The Old Globe is exciting in a slew of ways, but two stand out,” said The Old Globe’s Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein. “First, the story itself is charming, fun, and timely, and this theatrical adaptation of it is just a thrill to watch. It’s a sophisticated, grown-up telling of a masterful tale for young people, a charming and winning piece of theatre that truly offers something for everyone. The second wonderful thing about The Lorax in our season is that it continues our relationship with San Diego’s own Dr. Seuss. This relationship spans two decades in which The Grinch has brought his unique wit and heart to our audiences. Now the Lorax joins him as a member of the Globe family. I can’t wait.”
“We are thrilled to bring our audiences the U.S. premiere of Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax, a powerful, witty, and important story for all generations,” said Children’s Theatre Company Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius. “We welcomed the London production’s creative team to Minneapolis and are delighted that our fabulous cast will travel to The Old Globe in San Diego. Our partnership with The Old Globe and The Old Vic further advances our mission of reaching multigenerational audiences both in our state and across this country with extraordinary theatrical productions.”
Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax at the Globe is supported in part through gifts from Production Sponsors Peter Cooper, Elaine and Dave Darwin, and Hal and Pam Fuson, as well as Artist Sponsor Jo Ann Kilty (for H. Adam Harris, The Lorax). Financial support is provided by The City of San Diego.
Following the highly popular special performances for Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!the past five years, the Globe is delighted to offer a sensory-friendly performance of Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax on Saturday, July 28 at 12 noon. The Lorax will be performed for children on the autism spectrum and their families, as well as other families with special needs that may appreciate the welcoming and supportive environment this performance provides. Slight adjustments will be made to the production including fewer loud noises and flashing lights that may be challenging for some audience members. Additional features will also help make the experience safer and more enjoyable for children with autism and other sensitivity issues, including an online Sensory Guide available to view and print at home that will outline the experience of a visit to the Globe; a quiet area in the lobby of the theatre; and on-site volunteers to assist families as needed.
Additional events taking place during the run of Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax at The Old Globe include:
VICKI AND CARL ZEIGER INSIGHTS SEMINAR: Tuesday, July 3 at 5:30 p.m.
An opportunity to closely connect with productions both onstage and backstage. A panel selected from the artistic company of each show, joined by actors, designers, and/or technicians—engages patrons in an informal and illuminating presentation of ideas and insights to enhance the theatregoing experience. Reception at 5:00 p.m. FREE.
POST-SHOW FORUMS: Tuesdays, July 10 and 17, and Wednesday, July 11.
Join us after the show for an informal and enlightening question-and-answer session with cast, crew, and/or Globe staff members. Get the inside story on creating a character and putting together a professional production. FREE.
TICKETS to Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax are now on sale to the general public. Single tickets start at $40 for adults and $30 for children ages three and above. Tickets may be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE, or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. Discounts are available for full-time students, patrons 29 years of age and under, seniors, military members, and groups of 10 or more. Running time: two hours.
Performances begin on July 2, 2018 and continue through August 12, 2018. Performance times: Previews: Monday, July 2 at 7:00 p.m.; Tuesday, July 3 at 7:00 p.m.; and Thursday, July 5 at 7:00 p.m. Opening night is Friday, July 6 at 7:00 p.m. Regular performances (July 7 – August 12): Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings at 7:00 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays at 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. There will be no performance on Wednesday, July 4.
LOCATION and PARKING INFORMATION: The Old Globe is located in San Diego’s Balboa Park at 1363 Old Globe Way. Through a special arrangement with the San Diego Zoo, Old Globe ticket-holders for Tuesday – Friday evening performances have the opportunity to pre-purchase valet parking in the Zoo’s employee parking structure. With a drop-off point just a short walk to the Globe, theatregoers may purchase fast, easy, convenient valet parking for just $14 per vehicle per evening. Pre-paid only, available only by phone through the Old Globe Box Office. Call (619) 234-5623 or visit
www.theoldglobe.org/plan-your-visit/directions--parking/valet-parking. The Balboa Park valet is also available during weekend performances, beginning at 10:00 a.m., located in front of the Japanese Friendship Garden. For additional parking information visit www.BalboaPark.org.
There are numerous free parking lots available throughout the park. Guests may also be dropped off in front of the Mingei International Museum. There is a 10-minute zone at The Old Globe, used only for daytime deliveries, ticket purchases, and handicapped access dropoff. For directions and information, please visit www.theoldglobe.org/plan-your-visit/directions--parking/detailed-directions.
PLEASE NOTE: To look up online or GPS directions to The Old Globe, please do not use the delivery address above. For GPS users, please click here for the map coordinates, and here for written directions to The Old Globe and nearby parking in Balboa Park.
CALENDAR: A Thousand Splendid Suns (5/12–6/17), Native Gardens (5/26–6/24), AXIS: Kids’ Dance Party, Featuring Dance To EvOLve (6/12), The Tempest (6/17–7/22), AXIS: Make Music San Diego (6/21); Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax (7/2–8/12), AXIS: Fourth District Senior Center’s Globe Takeover, Featuring the Seasoned Line Dancers (7/10), Barefoot in the Park (7/28–8/26), Much Ado About Nothing (8/12–9/16), AXIS: LV’s Island Flair, Featuring Dance Lessons with Elvina Addams (8/21), The Heart of Rock & Roll (9/6–10/21), AXIS: Mexican Independence Day Celebration, Featuring Las Colibrí in Concert (9/15), 2018 Globe Gala featuring Andra Day (9/22), M.F.A.: Julius Caesar (10/20–10/28), AXIS: Day of the Dead Celebration (10/28), Globe for All Tour: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (10/30–11/18), Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (11/3–12/29), Looking for Christmas: The New Clint Black Christmas Musical (11/13–12/16), Familiar (1/26–3/3/2019), Tiny Beautiful Things (2/9–3/10), Life After (3/22–4/28), They Promised Her the Moon (4/6–5/5), Ken Ludwig’s The Gods of Comedy (5/11–6/16), What You Are (5/23–6/23).
PHOTO EDITORS: Digital images of The Old Globe’s productions are available at www.theoldglobe.org/press-room.
About The Old Globe
The Tony Award-winning Old Globe is one of the country’s leading professional regional theatres and has stood as San Diego’s flagship arts institution for over 80 years. Under the leadership of Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein and Managing Director Timothy J. Shields, The Old Globe produces a year-round season of 15 productions of classic, contemporary, and new works on its three Balboa Park stages: the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the 600-seat Old Globe Theatre and the 250-seat Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, both part of The Old Globe’s Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, and the 605-seat outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, home of its internationally renowned Shakespeare Festival. More than 250,000 people attend Globe productions annually and participate in the theatre’s artistic and arts engagement programs. Numerous world premieres such as the 2014 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Meteor Shower, Bright Star, Allegiance, The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,and the annual holiday musical Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! have been developed at The Old Globe and have gone on to enjoy highly successful runs on Broadway and at regional theatres across the country.
About Children’s Theatre Company
Children’s Theatre Company (CTC, Co-Producer) is the nation’s largest and most acclaimed theatre for multigenerational audiences. It creates theatre experiences that educate, challenge, and inspire for nearly 275,000 people annually. CTC is the only theatre focused on young audiences to win the coveted Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre and is the only theatre in Minnesota to receive three Tony nominations (for its production of A Year with Frog and Toad). CTC is committed to producing world-class productions at the highest level, and to developing new works, more than 200 to date, dramatically changing the canon of work for young audiences. CTC’s engagement and learning programs annually serve more than 85,000 students ages 2 to 18 through Theatre Arts Training, student matinees, Bridges, and early childhood arts education programs that bring students to the theatre and bring teaching artists into the classroom. The ACT One program is CTC’s comprehensive platform for access, diversity, and inclusion in our audiences, programs, staff, and board that strives to ensure the theatre is a home for all people, all families, reflective of our community. childrenstheatre.org.
About The Old Vic
The Old Vic (Co-Producer) is London’s independent not-for-profit theatre, a world leader in creativity and entertainment. The Old Vic is mercurial: it can be transformed into a theatre in the round or a space for music and comedy, and it has played host to opera, dance, cinema, music hall, classical dramas, variety, clowns, big spectacles, and novelty acts. Today, Artistic Director Matthew Warchus is building on 200 years of creative adventure, with The Old Vic recently being hailed as London’s most eclectic and frequently electrifying theatre. Under his leadership, the company aims to be a surprising, unpredictable, groundbreaking, rule-breaking, independent beacon of accessible, uplifting, and unintimidating art.
About Dr. Seuss
Theodor “Seuss” Geisel is quite simply the most beloved children’s book author of all time. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1984, three Academy Awards, two Emmy Awards, three Grammy Awards, and three Caldecott Honors, Geisel wrote and illustrated 45 books for children. Hundreds of millions of copies have found their way into homes and hearts around the world. While Theodor Geisel died on September 24, 1991, Dr. Seuss lives on, inspiring generations of children of all ages to explore the joys of reading. For more information about Dr. Seuss and his works, visit Seussville.com.
Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P.
The primary focus of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. is to protect the integrity of the Dr. Seuss books while expanding beyond books into ancillary areas. This effort is a strategic part of the overall mission to nurture and safeguard the relationship people have with Dr. Seuss characters. Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss) said he never wanted to license his characters to anyone who would “round out the edges.” That is one of the guiding philosophies of Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
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CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM BIOGRAPHIES
Ansa Akyea (Once-ler Dad, Mayor, Inspector) is a professional actor, teaching artist, and director who has worked throughout the country. Along with his stage work, he has numerous credits in his body of work, including the television series “In an Instant” (ABC); the films The House of Tomorrow and Memorial Day; commercials for MNsure, Target, and Buffalo Wild Wings; and voice-overs. His stage credits include A Christmas Carol (Guthrie Theater), Jackie & Me (Children’s Theatre Company), How to Use a Knife (Mixed Blood Theatre), Othello (Ten Thousand Things), The Jackie Wilson Story (Black Ensemble Theater), and many others. He is a recipient of the McKnight Theater Artist Fellowship and the Many Voices Mentorship from Playwrights’ Center, as well as City Pages Best Actor Award. Mr. Akyea is a proud M.F.A. graduate of The University of Iowa’s Acting program (2000) and member of SAG-AFTRA.
Christopher Becknell (Musician, Storyteller) is a Twin Cities musician who freelances in many musical styles. An accomplished classical and fingerstyle guitarist, he also performs on fiddle in a wide range of styles from classical, Celtic, bluegrass, and old-time to rock and Hot Club jazz violin. He serves on the music faculty of Minneapolis Community & Technical College and runs his own Suzuki-method music program for children and their parents at his private studio in Minneapolis. In 2015, Mr. Becknell released an album of fingerstyle gospel and folk song arrangements for solo guitar called Just Beyond the River; it has received playtime on Minnesota Public Radio, MPR’s The Current, and KBEM’s “Bluegrass Saturday Morning,” and it is available on CD Baby and iTunes.
Stephanie Bertumen (Once-ler Family, McGee, Inspector) has enjoyed roles in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Theatre L’Homme Dieu produced by Bloomington Civic Theatre), Disenchanted! (Casting Spells Productions), A Little Night Music, Twelfth Night, Purple Cloud, Charles Francis Chan Jr.’s Exotic Oriental Murder Mystery, and tot: THE UNTOLD, YET SPECTACULAR STORY OF (a filipino) HULK HOGAN (Mu Performing Arts), The Debutante’s Ball (History Theatre in partnership with Mu Performing Arts), Right, Wrong or Bomb! A Dating Musical (Backyard to Broadway Productions), Complicated Fun (History Theatre), The Last Firefly and The Abominables (Children’s Theatre Company), Flower Drum Song (Mu Performing Arts/Park Square Theatre), and Jesus Christ Superstar and Annie (Ordway Center for the Performing Arts).
Brian Bose (Once-ler Family, Bear) has performed in In the Heights (Ordway Center for the Performing Arts/Schuster Center), Mr. Chickee’s Funny Money (Apollo Theater), DJ Latinidad’s Latino Dance Party, Safe at Home, and The Lost Tribe of PA-US Cargill (Mixed Blood Theatre), In the Heights and Dirty Little Secrets (San Diego Repertory Theatre), The Bacchae (Ovalhouse), Romulus Kilgore’s Mobile Happiness Bazaar (La Jolla Playhouse’s Without Walls Festival), A Civil War Christmas (Diversionary Theatre), and It’s All Bueno (Cornerstone Theater Company). He trained at UC San Diego, British American Drama Academy, Steppenwolf Classes West, and CSU Los Angeles. Mr. Bose was named one of the “Faces to Watch” by The San Diego Union-Tribune, and he is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Ryan Colbert (Small Ed, Storyteller) is making his debut with The Old Globe through this partnership with Children’s Theatre Company. He recently performed at Children’s Theatre Company in The Abominables and Dr. Seuss’s The Sneetches The Musical. Since graduating from the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater B.F.A. Actor Training Program, he has had the pleasure of working with many great Twin Cities theatre companies including Guthrie Theater, Penumbra Theatre, Mixed Blood Theatre, Pillsbury House Theatre, Park Square Theatre, Red Bird Theatre, New Epic Theater, Theater Latté Da, and Red Eye Theater. On top of his theatrical career, he also works locally on camera and in voice-overs. In 2016, Mr. Colbert won an Ivey Award for Ensemble.
Lynnea Doublette (McGann, Storyteller) has appeared in productions with History Theatre, Theater Latté Da, Guthrie Theater, Stages Theatre Company, Illusion Theater, and Theatre in the Round Players. She has been seen in numerous commercials, industrial films, and print ads. Her film credits include Turnipseed, Autistic License,and His Neighbor Phil. She received a B.A. in Psychology from Winona State University and an M.S. in Health Care Communications from University of St. Thomas.
Johannah “Joh” Easley (Child, Once-ler Family) has appeared at Children’s Theatre Company as Akeelah in Akeelah and the Bee and Patty Farrell in Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Musical. Her other credits include Hairspray (History Theatre), Lord of the Flies (Illusion Theater), and for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf (Mixed Blood Theatre).
Steven Epp (The Once-ler) is an actor, writer, and director based in Minneapolis. He was Co-Artistic Director at Theatre de la Jeune Lune from 1983 to 2008; during that time the theatre won the 2005 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. Mr. Epp is currently the Co-Artistic Director of The Moving Company based in Minneapolis. His acting credits include lead roles in Tartuffe, Crusoe, Hamlet, Figaro, The Miser, Man of La Mancha, The Servant of Two Masters, Accidental Death of an Anarchist, and Fiddler on the Roof. His regional credits include productions at Guthrie Theater, La Jolla Playhouse, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Trinity Repertory Company, Spoleto Festival USA, American Repertory Theater, Alley Theatre, Intiman Theatre, Baltimore Center Stage, Shakespeare Theatre Company, PlayMakers Repertory Company, Seattle Repertory Theatre, South Coast Repertory, Yale Repertory Theatre, The New Victory Theater, and Theatre for a New Audience. Mr. Epp has co-authored and adapted numerous plays including Children of Paradise: Shooting a Dream (Theatre de la Jeune Lune), The Servant of Two Masters and Ruzante (Theatre for a New Audience), and Refugia (Guthrie Theater). He holds a degree in Theatre and History from Gustavus Adolphus College.
H. Adam Harris (The Lorax: Voice and Puppeteer) is a Minneapolis-based actor, teaching artist, and cultural equity consultant. He works at the intersection of theatre, education, social justice, and community engagement. His recent theatrical credits include the world premiere of This Bitter Earth at New Conservatory Theatre Center. He frequently performs with Children’s Theatre Company, including in The Snowy Day and Other Stories by Ezra Jack Keats, The Jungle Book, and Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Hehas worked with Guthrie Theater, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Park Square Theatre, Pillsbury House Theatre, and Minnesota Orchestra. He is a proud Penumbra Theatre Company Member, with credits including The Owl Answers, The Dutchman, The Ballad of Emmett Till, and The Amen Corner. Along with serving on the Ten Thousand Things board, he is also a member of the company’s Artist Core, where his credits include The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Dirt Sticks, The Seven, and Park and Lake. He is Education Coordinator at Playwrights’ Center, Lead Teaching Artist/Facilitator at Penumbra Theatre; Resident Teaching Artist at Guthrie Theater and Children’s Theatre Company, and faculty at Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater B.F.A. Actor Training Program.
Rajané Katurah (Granny Once-ler, Von Goo) was a Performing Apprentice at Children’s Theatre Company for the 2017–2018 season. She is an alumna of Spelman College, where she graduated with a B.A. in Drama and a minor in Spanish. She has also trained at the British American Drama Academy (BADA) in London. Her select theatre credits include Born for This: The BeBe Winans Story (Alliance Theatre), Gee’s Bend (Spelman College), The Revenger’s Tragedy (BADA), Big River (Unquowa Rep), Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (Children’s Theatre Company), and The Wiz (Children’s Theatre Company/Penumbra Theatre). @RajaneKaturah.
Meghan Kreidler (The Lorax: Puppeteer) is the recipient of the 2017 Ivey Awards for Emerging Artist and for Ensemble in Vietgone (Mixed Blood Theatre). She is also the recipient of the 2017 City Pages Artist of the Year (Minneapolis). Ms. Kreidler is a graduate of the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater B.F.A. Actor Training Program. When she is not performing in plays, she fronts rock and roll group Kiss the Tiger. kissthetiger.com, meghankreidler.com.
Ryan Lear (Musician, Storyteller) is a Minneapolis-based artist whose stage work focuses on original and imaginative works. He is a company member of the critically acclaimed theatre group Four Humors, and he has appeared in many of their past works, including as the title role in their original adaptation of Don Quixote at Guthrie Theater’s Dowling Studio. Mr. Lear’s other credits include Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat (Children’s Theatre Company), Grease (Chanhassen Dinner Theatres), The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Jon Ferguson Theatre), and One Man, Two Guvnors (Yellow Tree Theatre). Mr. Lear is also a founding member and board chair of the yearly Twin Cities Horror Festival.
Ryan Dean Maltz (Storyteller) is making his Old Globe debut with Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax. Originally from Colorado, he is a recent graduate of the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater B.F.A. Actor Training Program. He has performed in shows such as A Christmas Carol (Guthrie Theater), Under the Gaslight (Minnesota Centennial Showboat), and The Adventures of Katie Tomatie (Open Eye Figure Theatre).
Emily Michaels King (Swan, Once-ler Family) is a Minnesota-based performer and creator. Onstage she has worked with Actors Theatre of Louisville, The Moving Company, Transatlantic Love Affair, Minnesota Opera, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Jon Ferguson’s WLDRNSS, Black Label Movement, and Live Action Set (including the Ivey Award–winning The 7 Shot Symphony). Some of her creation highlights include Animus and Lewis/Clark with Debra Berger; The Hollow for Trademark Theater; 7th House Theater Collective’s Jonah and the Whale; and Walker Art Center’s Choreographers’ Evening (2009, 2012). emilymichaelsking.com.
Rick Miller (The Lorax: Puppeteer) is an actor and puppeteer in the Twin Cities who has performed in Constance in the Darkness, The Red Shoes, Toy Theatre After Dark, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, and Driveway Tour (Open Eye Figure Theatre), The War Within/All’s Fair and Little Dickens (The Moving Company),and The Seagull (Theatre Novi Most).Mr. Miller graduated from the University of Minnesota B.A. program in 2015.
Autumn Ness (Mommy Once-ler, Samelore Bews) is a member of the Resident Acting Company at Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis. She has spent the past 18 seasons with CTC, performing on both mainstages as well as developing new works and world premieres. Some of her favorite credits include Stepmother in Cinderella,Turtle and Bird in A Year with Frog and Toad,Bagheera in The Jungle Book, Susan Heffley in Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Musical,Fiona in Shrek The Musical,the one-person show The Biggest Little House in the Forest, Mrs. Cobb in Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, Lily St. Regis in Annie, Nurse in Romeo and Juliet, White Witch in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Mama Who in Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! She is therecipient of the 2018 Fox Foundation Resident Actor Fellowship to develop programming at CTC for children on the autism spectrum. She is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.
David Greig (Adaptor) is an award-winning playwright and, since 2016, Artistic Director of the Royal Lyceum Theatre Company, Edinburgh. His plays have been staged in the U.K. and around the world. His recent work includes The Suppliant Women (Lyceum, U.K. tour, Young Vic), Cover My Tracks (The Old Vic, Latitude Festival, U.K. tour), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Broadway, West End), Lanark (Citizens Theatre, Edinburgh), The Events (Traverse Theatre, Young Vic), Midsummer (Traverse Theatre, Soho Theatre, Tricycle Theatre), Dunsinane (Royal Shakespeare Company), The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart (National Theatre of Scotland), and Monster in the Hall and Yellow Moon (TAG Theatre Company, Glasgow).
Charlie Fink (Music and Lyrics) was front man and songwriter for Noah and the Whale from 2007 to 2015. The band released four albums, which collectively sold over a million copies, and performed worldwide. He produced Laura Marling’s Mercury Prize–nominated album Alas, I Cannot Swim and wrote and produced music for Charlotte Gainsbourg, Foxes, and Eliot Sumner, among others. He has also directed music videos and two extended short films, and he wrote the music for and performed in Cover My Tracks (The Old Vic, Latitude Festival, U.K. tour).
Max Webster (Director) is an Associate Director at The Old Vic. He has directed Fanny & Alexander, Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax, and Cover My Tracks (The Old Vic), The Jungle Book (Fiery Angel), The Winter’s Tale (Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh), The Twits (Curve Theatre), King Lear (Royal & Derngate in Northampton), Mary Stuart (Parco Theatre in Tokyo), Orlando, To Kill a Mockingbird, and My Young and Foolish Heart (Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester), James and the Giant Peach and My Generation (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Twelfth Night (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), and Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare’s Globe).
Drew McOnie (Choreographer) is Artistic Director of The McOnie Company and an Associate Artist at The Old Vic. His credits with The McOnie Company include Jekyll & Hyde (The Old Vic; BroadwayWorld UK Award for Outstanding Achievement in a New Dance Production) and Drunk (Curve Theatre, Bridewell Theatre). He has served as director/choreographer for Strictly Ballroom (Piccadilly Theatre), King Kong (Broadway), On the Town (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), and The Wild Party (The Other Palace). His credits as choreographer include Jesus Christ Superstar (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre; Olivier Award nomination for Best Theatre Choreographer), Bugsy Malone (Lyric Hammersmith), In the Heights (Southwark Playhouse, Kings Cross Theatre; Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer), Hairspray (U.K. tour; BroadwayWorld UK Award for Best Choreography), and Oklahoma! (national tour).
Finn Caldwell (Puppet Direction, Puppetry Co-Design) is Co-Artistic Director of Gyre & Gimble, a theatre company specializing in puppetry. His credits as co-director/puppet designer include The Four Seasons (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Hartlepool Monkey (Fuel Theatre, Gyre & Gimble tour), The Elephantom (National Theatre, West End), and David Walliams’ The First Hippo on the Moon (Les Petits tour). As puppet co-designer/director his credits include The Grinning Man (Bristol Old Vic, West End) and Running Wild (Chichester Festival Theatre, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, tour). Mr. Caldwell’s other credits include Angels in America (director of puppetry/movement; National Theatre, Broadway), The Light Princess (director of puppetry/movement; National Theatre), War Horse (associate puppetry director; National Theatre, West End, international tour), Groundhog Day (additional movement; The Old Vic, Broadway), The Bear (puppetry director; Pins and Needles Productions), The Tempest (Birmingham Royal Ballet), Alice’s Adventures Underground (Les Enfants Terribles), Ariodante (Aix-en-Provence Festival), and Shrek The Musical (West End).
Rob Howell (Scenic and Costume Design) has notably designed Groundhog Day, The Caretaker, The Master Builder, Future Conditional, A Flea in Her Ear, Inherit the Wind, Speed-the-Plow, and Complicit (The Old Vic) and The Norman Conquests (The Old Vic, Broadway). He has also worked at National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal Court Theatre, Almeida Theatre, Donmar Warehouse, Young Vic, Bristol Old Vic, Chichester Festival Theatre, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, Royal Opera House, Metropolitan Opera, and Broadway. He has won three Olivier Awards for Set Design, including for Matilda The Musical,for which he also won Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Tony Awards. Mr. Howell is an Associate Artist at The Old Vic.
Jon Clark (Lighting Design) has designed extensively for National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Young Vic, Almeida Theatre, Donmar Warehouse, Royal Court Theatre, the West End, Broadway, and many other companies internationally. He twice has been nominated for an Olivier Award, and he is the recipient of Green Room and Knight of Illumination Awards. His recent designs for theatre include The Jungle and The Inheritance (Young Vic, West End), The Lehman Trilogy, Amadeus, and Absolute Hell (National Theatre), and King Charles III (Music Box Theatre).His recent designs for opera include The Exterminating Angel (Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House, Salzburg Festival, Royal Danish Opera), Lucia di Lammermoor, Król Roger, and Written on Skin (Royal Opera House), and Hamlet (Glyndebourne Festival, Adelaide Festival).
Tom Gibbons (Sound Design) has designed Fanny & Alexander (The Old Vic), Life of Galileo, Happy Days, A Season in the Congo, and Disco Pigs (Young Vic), 1984 (West End, Broadway), A View from the Bridge (Young Vic, West End, Broadway), Mr. Burns, a post-electric play (Almeida Theatre), Hamlet and Oresteia (Almeida Theatre, West End), Hedda Gabler (National Theatre, U.K. tour), People, Places & Things (National Theatre, West End, St. Ann’s Warehouse; Olivier Award for Best Sound Design), The Red Barn and Sunset at the Villa Thalia (National Theatre), As You Like It and The White Devil (Royal Shakespeare Company), Julius Caesar and Henry IV (Donmar Warehouse, St. Ann’s Warehouse), Love, Love, Love (Royal Court Theatre), Lionboy (Complicité), Anna Karenina (Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester), The Crucible (Broadway), and Les Misérables (Wermland Opera in Sweden).
Finn Caldwell (Puppet Direction, Puppetry Co-Design) is Co-Artistic Director of Gyre & Gimble, a theatre company specializing in puppetry. His credits as co-director/puppet designer include The Four Seasons (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Hartlepool Monkey (Fuel Theatre, Gyre & Gimble tour), The Elephantom (National Theatre, West End), and David Walliams’ The First Hippo on the Moon (Les Petits tour). As puppet co-designer/director his credits include The Grinning Man (Bristol Old Vic, West End) and Running Wild (Chichester Festival Theatre, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, tour). Mr. Caldwell’s other credits include Angels in America (director of puppetry/movement; National Theatre, Broadway), The Light Princess (director of puppetry/movement; National Theatre), War Horse (associate puppetry director; National Theatre, West End, international tour), Groundhog Day (additional movement; The Old Vic, Broadway), The Bear (puppetry director; Pins and Needles Productions), The Tempest (Birmingham Royal Ballet), Alice’s Adventures Underground (Les Enfants Terribles), Ariodante (Aix-en-Provence Festival), and Shrek The Musical (West End).
Phil Bateman (Music Supervisor and Arranger) has served as music supervisor and vocal arranger for One Love: The Bob Marley Musical (Birmingham Repertory Theatre); as music director/orchestrator for Bugsy Malone (Lyric Hammersmith); as music supervisor/vocal arranger for Made in Dagenham and Imagine This (West End); and as music director/music supervisor/vocal arranger for I Can’t Sing (West End). He was the original music director for Billy Elliot: The Musical on the West End, and he served as music supervisor/vocal arranger/additional music for Our House on the West End and U.K. tour. Mr. Bateman has been music director for Hello, Dolly! and Gigi (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Three Sisters, The Human Comedy, My Dad’s a Birdman, After Miss Julie, and Vernon God Little (Young Vic), She Loves Me (Minerva Theatre/Chichester Festival Theatre), Treasure Island (Rose Theatre Kingston), Piaf (Sheffield Theatres/Crucible), and Cinderella (Bristol Old Vic). For film, he served as singing coach/vocal arranger for Kinky Boots and singing coach for Cemetery Junction. For television, he composed for “The Big Performance” and “Extreme School”(CBBC).
Elan McMahan (Music Direction) previously worked on the Globe productions of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (2011, 2013–2017), the Summer Shakespeare Festival (2012–2013), and the New Voices Festival reading of Cake Off (2015). She is the Resident Musical Director at Moonlight Stage Productions with over 50 productions to her name. She has received three San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Craig Noel Awards for Outstanding Musical Direction: in 2012, for her body of work, including Moonlight’s Sweeney Todd and Fiddler on the Roof and the Globe’s As You Like It; in 2015 for Moonlight’s Big Fish; and in 2017 for Moonlight’s In the Heights. Ms. McMahan holds a B.Mus. from Brigham Young University and an M.Mus. from St. Louis Conservatory of Music.
Nick Barnes (Puppetry Co-Design) co-founded Blind Summit Theatre in 1996 and was the Co-Artistic Director for many years. He performed, designed, and directed for the company on productions including The Table, Low Life, Martin’s Wedding, 1984, and Mr. China’s Son. The company created puppetry for Madama Butterfly (English National Opera/Metropolitan Opera), Shunkin, A Dog’s Heart, and The Master and Margarita (Complicité), Faeries (Royal Opera House), and His Dark Materials (Birmingham Repertory Theatre). They also directed the puppetry for the 2012 London Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. Mr. Barnes left Blind Summit in 2013 and remains an Associate Artist. His other credits as puppetry designer/director include The Jungle Book (Fiery Angel/Northampton U.K. tour), The Little Beasts (Perfect Pitch/The Other Palace), and Mr. Popper’s Penguins (West End, Off Broadway). His work as co-puppetry designer includes Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax (The Old Vic/Mirvish Productions, Children’s Theatre Company), Angels in America (National Theatre, Broadway), and Ariodante (Aix-en-Provence Festival). He is also the co-director/co-designer of The First Hippo on the Moon (U.K. tour).
James Vásquez (Associate Director and Choreographer) recently directed the world premiere of American Mariachi at The Old Globe and Denver Center for the Performing Arts Theatre Company. At The Old Globe, he has directed Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, the West Coast premiere of Rich Girl, and Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show, and he provided musical staging for A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Comedy of Errors. He has won two San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Awards for Outstanding Direction of a Musical, most recently for 2017’s In the Heights with Moonlight Stage Productions. He is a graduate of the Juilliard School.
Stacy McIntosh (Production Stage Manager) is in her 20th season at Children’s Theatre Company, where she has managed over 70 productions. Some of her favorite credits include The Abominables; Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Musical; The Jungle Book; The Biggest Little House in the Forest; A Wrinkle in Time; A Christmas Story; Five Fingers of Funk; Bud, Not Buddy; Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy; Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse (1999); Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!; and A Year with Frog and Toad (CTC, Broadway). She has also worked at Guthrie Theater and Illusion Theater in Minneapolis; Marin Theatre Company and Willows Theatre Company in the Bay Area; and The New Victory Theater and Cort Theatre in New York City. In addition to her theatre management, she has also stage managed the NHL Stadium Series and the pre-game event for Super Bowl LII. Mrs. McIntosh is a graduate of University of Northern Iowa and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.
U.S. Premiere
DR. SEUSS’S THE LORAX
Based on the book The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
Adapted for the stage by David Greig
Music and lyrics by Charlie Fink
Directed by Max Webster
Choreographed by Drew McOnie
Music Direction by Elan McMahan
Puppet Direction by Finn Caldwell
Scenic & Costume Design by Rob Howell
Presented by The Old Globe and Children’s Theatre Company, in partnership with The Old Vic
Originally produced at The Old Vic in London
Best enjoyed by everyone
RUNS: July 2 – August 12, 2018
Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage, Old Globe Theatre, Conrad Prebys Theatre Center.
TICKETS: Ticket prices start at $40/adults, $30/kids 3+
SYNOPSIS: Direct from London’s West End comes the critically acclaimed and Olivier Award-nominated musical event of the summer. Silky soft Truffula trees provide the perfect ingredient for a nifty new garment. But when demand skyrockets, who will speak for all the trees in the Truffula forest? Enter The Lorax. Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax has been enchanting adults and children alike for generations, and this summer his irresistible, big-hearted, mustachioed hero will be brought to inventive life in what critics call a “mad, uproarious delight” (The Independent). Audiences of all ages will be thrilled by the brilliant, eye-popping colors, infectious music, and beloved story that the Financial Times called “joyous and all-too-timely.”
CAST: Ansa Akyea (Once-ler Dad, Mayor, Inspector), Christopher Becknell (Musician, Storyteller), Stephanie Bertumen (Once-ler Family, McGee, Inspector), Brian Bose (Once-ler Family, Bear), Ryan Colbert (Small Ed, Storyteller), Lynnea Doublette (McGann, Storyteller), Johannah “Joh” Easley (Child, Once-ler Family), Steven Epp (The Once-ler), H. Adam Harris (The Lorax: Voice and Puppeteer), Rajané Katurah (Granny Once-ler, Von Goo), Meghan Kreidler (The Lorax: Puppeteer), Ryan Lear (Musician, Storyteller), Ryan Dean Maltz (Storyteller), Emily Michaels King (Swan, Once-ler Family), Rick Miller (The Lorax: Puppeteer), Autumn Ness (Mommy Once-ler, Samelore Bews).
CREATIVE TEAM: Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell (Puppetry Designers), Jon Clark (Lighting Designer), Tom Gibbons (Sound Designer), Phil Bateman (Musical Supervisor and Arranger), James Vásquez (Associate Director), Stacy McIntosh (Production Stage Manager).
BOX OFFICE WINDOW HOURS: One hour prior to first curtain through final curtain Tuesday through Sunday. American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and VISA accepted. (619) 23-GLOBE [234-5623].
LOCATION: The Old Globe is located in San Diego’s Balboa Park at 1363 Old Globe Way. Free parking is available throughout the park. Valet parking is also available weeknights only ($14, advance reservation).
PHOTOS: available at TheOldGlobe.org/press-room.
PREVIEW PERFORMANCES:
July 2 MON 7:00pm
July 3 TUE 7:00pm (Vicki & Carl Zeiger Insights Seminar)
July 5 THU 7:00pm
OPENING NIGHT: July 6 FRI 7:00pm
REGULAR PERFORMANCES:
July 7 SAT 12:00pm
July 7 SAT 5:00pm
July 8 SUN 12:00pm
July 8 SUN 5:00pm
July 10 TUE 7:00pm (Post-Show Forum)
July 11 WED 7:00pm (Post-Show Forum)
July 12 THU 7:00pm
July 13 FRI 7:00pm
July 14 SAT 12:00pm
July 14 SAT 5:00pm
July 15 SUN 12:00pm
July 15 SUN 5:00pm
July 17 TUE 7:00pm (Post-Show Forum)
July 18 WED 7:00pm
July 19 THU 7:00pm
July 20 FRI 7:00pm
July 21 SAT 12:00pm
July 21 SAT 5:00pm
July 22 SUN 12:00pm
July 22 SUN 5:00pm
July 24 TUE 7:00pm
July 25 WED 7:00pm
July 26 THU 7:00pm
July 27 FRI 7:00pm
July 28 SAT 12:00pm Sensory Friendly
July 28 SAT 5:00pm
July 29 SUN 12:00pm
July 29 SUN 5:00pm
July 31 TUE 7:00pm
August 1 WED 7:00pm
August 2 THU 7:00pm
August 3 FRI 7:00pm
August 4 SAT 12:00pm
August 4 SAT 5:00pm
August 5 SUN 12:00pm
August 5 SUN 5:00pm
August 7 TUE 7:00pm
August 8 WED 7:00pm
August 9 THU 7:00pm
August 10 FRI 7:00pm
August 11 SAT 12:00pm
August 11 SAT 5:00pm
August 12 SUN 12:00pm
August 12 SUN 5:00pm
PRESS CONTACTS:
Susan Chicoine, Public Relations Director
(619) 238-0043 x2352 / 325-9416
schicoine@TheOldGlobe.org
Alejandra Enciso-Dardashti, Public Relations Associate
(619) 238-0043 x2356
aenciso@TheOldGlobe.org