Starlight Children's Theatre

STARLIGHT CHILDREN'S THEATRE ANNOUNCES TWO MUSICALS IN ITS 2013 SEASON AT THE KAUFFMAN CENTER
The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley and Peter Cottontail III continue joint partnership for children




Starlight's Children's Theatre is excited to announce its 2013 season at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts: The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley will be presented January 16-20; Peter Cottontail III will be presented March 27-31.

"These are two great shows for children and their families," said Denton Yockey, Starlight president and executive producer. "Flat Stanley is a beloved children's book series that has become a cultural phenomenon with children, parents and especially teachers who use the book to promote international literacy and community building – there's even a Flat Stanley mobile app. The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley is just as charming and fun as the book series," Yockey said. "Peter Cottontail III with its fun story, charming lyrics and upbeat tunes is the perfect springtime celebration and a clever twist on the Easter Bunny story."

Starlight Children's Theatre is a partnership between the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and Starlight Theatre with the goal of creating fully produced children's theatre productions for Kansas City. The partnership also allows for qualified schools to receive bus money to attend the school matinees through Kauffman Center's Open Doors Transportation Fund.

"We launched Starlight Children's Theatre last year in order to provide more opportunities for young audiences in Kansas City to experience the performing arts and specifically professional musical productions that are the quality of Starlight's Broadway productions," said Jane Chu, president and chief executive officer of the Kauffman Center. "The response from schools and the general community has been very positive. We expect our second season to be just as popular."

STARLIGHT CHILDREN'S THEATRE 2013 SEASON:
THE MUSICAL ADVENTURES OF FLAT STANLEY
January 18 to 20 Weekend Public Performances
January 16 to 18 Weekday School Matinees
Appropriate for ages 4 and older
Based on the book Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown. Book by Timothy Allen McDonald; Lyrics by Timothy Allen McDonald and Jonathan K. Waller; Music by Jonathon K. Waller, David Weinstein, Timothy Allen McDonald and Stephen Gabriel.

The beloved children's book, Flat Stanley, has become a literary and pop cultural phenomenon around the world and now the story comes to the stage in this delightful musical. Stanley Lambchop is your normal, everyday, run-of-the-mill kid. But one night while he's sleeping, the bulletin board on the wall above his bed comes loose and falls – right on top of Stanley! And the next morning, Stanley Lambchop wakes up flat. In a whirlwind musical travelogue, Stanley - the ultimate exchange student - scours the globe for a solution to his unusual problem. He's stamped, posted and cancelled from Hollywood to France to Honolulu and beyond. And whether he's thwarting a robbery at the Louvre Museum in Paris, or 'hanging ten' off the coast of Hawaii, Stanley is closing in on his goal of being a three-dimensional boy once more.

PETER COTTONTAIL III
March 29 to 31 Weekend Public Performances
March 27 to 29 Weekday School Matinees
Appropriate for all ages
Book by Frances Seidensticker; Music and Lyrics by Linda M. Lee

The musical's namesake character, Peter Cottontail III, is training to become the next Easter Bunny since his grandfather is retiring. Peter has many challenges to overcome, but learns to rely on his friends and family for encouragement and help. The young bunny manages to escape from a trap set by hunters and foil a plot by opportunistic men to take over his friends' farmhouse. These adventures help him realize that he is mature enough to be the Easter Bunny after all. Audiences will be humming along to catchy songs like "Here Comes Peter Cottontail" and "The Secret of Springtime."

TICKET INFORMATION
Season tickets for the Starlight's Children's Theatre 2013 Season can be reserved now by calling 816.363.STAR (7827). Providing benefits that include up to a 20 percent discount compared to single ticket prices, season tickets range from $28 to $70 a ticket. VIP Seating is available for $130 a ticket and provides exclusive close-up seating, cast meet and greets and other VIP benefits. Single tickets are not yet available.

Discounted group tickets and student matinee tickets can now be ordered by contacting Stacey Million, Starlight's group sales manager, at groups@kcstarlight.com or 816.997.1137. A study guide for educators and group leaders will be available for both productions. Qualifying schools may also apply for bus transportation assistance from the Kauffman Center's Open Doors Transportation Fund; more information is available at www.kauffmancenter.org.

Starlight Theatre Association is dedicated to producing, presenting and promoting excellence in musical theatre and the performing arts for diverse audiences of all ages, with continued programming for families and children. Starlight strives to enrich our region for all residents and visitors by building appreciation for the performing arts, making live theatre and music affordable and accessible, providing superior theatre arts education and community outreach programs, and delivering exceptional customer service. Starlight will remain a beloved Kansas City cultural tradition by devoting resources to preserving and enhancing its home venue in Swope Park and creating new memories for generations to come.

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(Editors: For artwork, please contact Karen Massman VanAsdale at karen.vanasdale@kcstarlight.com)




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