Children’s Theatre Company Presents Madeleine L’Engle’s Science Fiction Fantasy A Wrinkle in Time (c 1962)

In the tradition of The Chronicles of Narnia and Harry Potter, Madeleine L’Engle’s science fiction fantasy A Wrinkle in Time will transport Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) audiences through space and time, on a journey filled with mystery and danger, obstacles and adventure, surprise and startling revelations.

Back for the seventh time, IVEY Award-winning director Greg Banks directs the classic tale about young Meg Murry, who, along with her brother Charles Wallace, embarks on a quest to find their lost father, in an inexplicable world where nothing is quite what it seems.

Banks previously directed the critically acclaimed promenade-style production of Romeo & Juliet, the high-powered, action-packed production of Robin Hood, Sleeping Beauty, Huck Finn and Antigone for CTC. He is recognized internationally for his work at the Unicorn Children’s Theatre, the Bristol Old Vic, The Birmingham Stage Company, Traveling Light Theatre Company and New Perspective Theatre Company. 

“Greg is an extraordinary director,” says Peter Brosius, artistic director for CTC.  “There is a vitality and immediacy to his work that is thoroughly engaging, captivating and has such a unique theatrical sensibility.”

Joining Banks in this theatrical journey are CTC veterans Ann Michels, who plays a variety of roles including Mother, Mrs. Who and Aunt Beast; company member Autumn Ness, as Mrs. Whatsit and the Man with the Red Eyes; young Brandon Brooks who previously played the role of Grand Duke Wilfred in Dr. Seuss’ The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins. Michels’ previous credits include A Streetcar Named Desire, A Christmas Carol, Pirates of Penzance and She Loves Me (the Guthrie Theater), Parade, Sunday in the Park With George and Wings (Theater Latté Da), etc.  Ness, who begins her 12th season at CTC, was last seen as Lily St. Regis in CTC’s production of Annie.

Pearce Bunting, Helena Scholz-Carlson and Noah Crandell make their CTC debuts as Father, Mrs. Which and Camazotz Man; Meg Murry; and Calvin O’Keefe, respectively. Scholz-Carlson is a student at Southwest High School and has been involved in CTC’s Theatre Arts Training (This is Not the Breakfast Club) and the Great River Shakespeare Festival’s Shakespeare for Young Actors (Henry V). Helena, whose father Doug is also a Twin Cities actor, has also worked at Pangea World Theater.

Bunting joins CTC following a recent move from New York City. He is the recipient of the Barrymore Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor for his performance in the Wilma Theatre’s production of ROAD and has been nominated several times since. Bunting’s numerous theatre, film and television credits include Bill Austin in the Broadway and National Tour productions of Mamma Mia!, Law and Order SVU, Homicide, As the World Turns and as host for the Discovery Channel’s TRAVELERS. Locally, he has appeared at Open Eye Figure Theatre and, in January, he will appear in As You Like It with Ten Thousand Things.

Scenic design for A Wrinkle in Time is by Joseph Stanley, whose past CTC productions include Robin Hood, Dr. Seuss’ The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, Disney’s Mulan, Jr. (2010 IVEY Award nominee), Romeo & Juliet, The Magic Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, Huck Finn, Antigone and Pippi Longstocking.

Most of the Stanley’s set will be painted entirely black, with textures inspired by the work of Louise Nevelson. Nevelson’s work is an assemblage: a collection of various scraps, carved sculpture and more, pulled together into one piece and almost always in one hue (i.e., all black, white or natural wood). Highly theatrical lighting, sound and video (designed by Rebecca Fuller Jensen, Victor Zupanc, Joseph Stanley and Eric Van Wyk, respectively) will be used to further distinguish the worlds Meg and her companions travel through. 

A Wrinkle in Time opens Fri., Sept. 30 (previews begin Tues., Sept. 27) and runs through Sun., Dec. 4. Tickets range from $26—$40 for adults and $16—$30 for children (17 & under), students and seniors and are available by calling (612) 874-0400 or by visiting childrenstheatre.org.

Also, upcoming in the 2011-2012 season are: the mesmerizing Wizard of Oz, Harold and the Purple Crayon, by Seattle Children’s Theatre, Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy and Pippi Longstocking.

Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) is the first theatre for young people to win the coveted Tony® Award for Outstanding Regional Theater (2003). Founded in 1965, CTC serves more than 300,000 people annually and is one of the 20 largest theater companies in the nation. CTC is noted for defining worldwide standards for youth theatre with an innovative mix of classic tales, celebrated international productions and challenging new work.

A Wrinkle in Time
Based on the book A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
Adapted by John Glore
Directed by Greg Banks

photos credit: Dan Norman