Download Dick Whittington and His Cat

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22nd, 2014
Contact:
Ariel Bradler, Marketing & Sales Manager
[email protected]; 206-443-0807
SCT commissions original musical score for beloved holiday show
Dick Whittington and His Cat
Based on an English Folk Tale
Opens November 14, 2014
(Seattle, WA) - Seattle Children’s Theatre (SCT) will kick off the holiday season with Dick
Whittington and His Cat by Jeff Church with original music by Richard Gray. SCT is proud to
present this classic tale, retold with an unexpected musical style that is surprisingly fitting for this
adaptation of a popular folk tale.
Composer Richard Gray notes he was inspired by “contemporary guitar-driven bands like Mumford
& Sons and Phillip Phillips. My goal was to create a score that sounds like it comes from another
time, but keeps a contemporary edge.” Artistic Director Linda Hartzell adds, “we think audiences
will be enthralled with the festive, full Broadway sound of this new option for the holidays”.
Set in eighteenth century London, SCT’s story is loosely based on the popular British tale. With all
the charm of old England at the holidays and its fresh, original new score, this is a musical for all
ages. A true adventure, Dick Whittington tells the story about how a poor boy with the help of his cat
Trueheart overcomes many obstacles to become one of the most respected men in London.
With its themes of loyalty, potential and perseverance, the show is uplifting in a way that Hartzell
feels is particularly relevant for SCT audiences. She explains, “This play has a hopeful theme and
shows a young boy being given a chance. To paraphrase the play - given a chance, a child has
wings”.
Allison Narver, most recently noted for her direction of Robin Hood at SCT and Boeing, Boeing at
Seattle Rep, will direct Dick Whittington and His Cat. Narver is joined by the design team who
collaborated on SCT’s popular holiday show from last season, James and the Giant Peach - designer
Carey Wong, costume designer Cathy Hunt and puppet designer Annett Mateo.
In addition to composer Richard Gray, the cast includes Mike Spee as Dick Whittington and is joined
by Fawn Ledesma, Jayne Muirhead, Hana Lass, Jared Michael Brown, John Patrick Lowrie,
Vickielee Wohlbach and Cobey Mandarino. The production also features Lighting Design by Andrew
Smith and Sound Design by SCT resident designer Chris R. Walker. Understudies include Ben
Whippel, Michael Connolly, Chelsea LeValley and Allison Standley.
Dick Whittington and His Cat, recommended for audiences of all ages, opens November 14 (with a
public preview on November 13th) in SCT’s Charlotte Martin Theatre and runs through December
21, 2014.
Seattle Children’s Theatre would like to thank ArtsFund, The Shubert Foundation, Season
Sponsor Microsoft, Show Sponsors Bank of America and Kibble & Prentice for their generous
support.
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Seattle Children’s Theatre celebrates its 40th season in 2014-2015, performing September through June in the
Charlotte Martin and Eve Alvord Theatres at Seattle Center. SCT is known internationally as a leading
producer of professional theatre, arts education programs and new scripts for young people. By the end of the
2013-2014 season, SCT had presented more than 236 plays, including 113 world premieres, and entertained
over 5 million children. SCT’s professional mainstage productions serve as the focal point of the School
Children Access Program (SCAP) through which highly subsidized tickets are made available to all
classrooms in the region (approximately 400 schools), with free tickets for all teachers and for low-income
students, and free educational resources.
Dick Whittington and His Cat
By Jeff Church
Based on an English folk tale
Original Music by Richard Gray
Directed by Allison Narver
WHAT:
Suitable for all ages, Dick Whittington and His Cat is a new musical version of the
beloved English folktale. With all the charm of old London at the holidays, Dick
Whittington’s adventurous story begins with Dick’s poor beginnings as an orphan who
finds his way in the world, buoyed by the kindness of others and an alliance with a
most remarkable cat.
WHERE:
Seattle Children’s Theatre’s Charlotte Martin Theatre
201 Thomas Street, Seattle 98109 (Seattle Center)
WHEN:
Public Preview – Thursday, November 13, 2014 at 7pm
Opening Night Performance – Friday, November 14, 2014 at 7pm
Public Performances –November 13 through December 21, 2014
(Thursday-Friday at 7pm, Saturdays at 2 pm and 5:30pm, and Sundays at 11am and
2:30pm - please check the website or call the SCT Ticket Office for schedule)
ASL-interpreted Performance - December 13, 2014 at 2:00.
TICKETS:
Tickets start at $20 and may be purchased by calling SCT’s Ticket Office at
206.441.3322 or by visiting www.sct.org. Subscription packages encouraged for
groups of 5+.
INFO:
Themes for learning and discussion inspired by the play are loyalty, perseverance,
potential. For more information, see the Active Audience Guide for Dick Whittington
and His Cat available free online here: http://www.sct.org/Assets/Files/AAG/20142015/SCT-Active-Audience-Guide_Dick-Whittington-and-His-Cat.pdf