Announcing Our 30th Anniversary 2008–2009 Season

For group reservations, call (816) 474-6552
For information about group prices and policies click here.
Teachers: Check out MO and KS benchmarks click here.
For ticket information click here.





And Then They Came For Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank
September 16 – October 24, 2008
Preteen/Young Adult Series
By James Still
Directed by Cynthia Levin

A unique interweaving of interviews with two Holocaust survivors who have a friendship with Anne Frank with live actors recreating scenes from their lives. This production has a powerful life in the present as well as a never-to-be-forgotten past. Sponsored by the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City.
Themes: The Holocaust. A special Resource Guide for educators will be developed with the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education
Curriculum Ties: communication arts/literature (autobiography, journaling, drama, interviewing); history & WWII; geography (places regions); social studies (values)

SPECIAL EVENT: SPECIAL PRICING
Coterie At Night at Crown Center’s Off Center Theatre
Night of the Living Dead
From George Romero’s classic film
October 9-29, 2008
Preteen/Young Adult Series
Directed by Ron Megee

Flesh eating zombies menace our audience and terrorize seven people trapped in an isolated farmhouse. “This ain’t no Sunday School picnic!” Featuring live music from a guitar-wielding zombie, this critically acclaimed hit returns!

Seussical
November 11 – December 28, 2008
Elementary/ Family Series
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Book by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty based on the works by Dr. Seuss
Directed by Jeff Church; Music Direction by Molly Jessup
Choreography by David Ollington

Dr Seuss’s Horton Hears a Who and Horton Hatches the Egg are tunefully interwoven in the celebrated version of this “all-ages” musical. The New York Times credits the Coterie for originating one of the most performed plays in educational theatre in the U.S.
Themes: courage; risk-taking; recognizing perspectives of others
Curriculum Ties: communication arts/literature (evaluating fiction, poetry and drama); science (nature & conservation, animals & habitat); social studies (community & government)

Our Town
January 27 – February 20, 2009
Preteen/Young Adult Series
By Thornton Wilder
Directed by Jeff Church

Produced with UMKC Theatre The host for this timeless, revolutionary American play is a Stage Manager who allows a girl named Emily to relive one day in her life. After exploring Grover’s Corners for its daily life, love and marriage, and finally life and death, Emily is left to ask “Doesn't anyone ever realize life while they live it?”
Themes: the transience of human life
Curriculum Ties: communication arts/literature (classic authors, drama); social studies (society & cultural tradition); psychology; philosophy

Atypical Boy
March 10- 29, 2009
Preteen/Young Adult Series
A World Premiere by Laurie Brooks
Directed by Heidi Stubblefield and Jeff Church

In a world where "conformity is compulsory," Boy cannot conform. Others make desperate silly attempts to fix him, but neither they nor he can change his differences. An entertaining fable about the beauty and danger of being different in a world where conformity is valued and individuality is feared. Sponsored by the Jim Eisenreich Foundation
Themes: invisible disabilities; disenfranchised youth; peer relationships
Curriculum Ties: social studies (individual development, self- knowledge, identity, civic ideals and practices); psychology (sensitivity to difference, tolerance); communication arts and writing

Roald Dahl’s The Witches
Elementary/Family Series
April 14- May 17, 2009
Adapted by David Wood
Directed by Missy Koonce

They are completely bald, always wear wigs, have curved fingernails hidden by gloves, no toes but force their feet into narrow, fashionable shoes. Who are they? The Witches, of course! Can a brave boy and his grandma foil The Grand High Witch’s monstrous plan? Roald Dahl reveals the ghastly truth about these horrible creatures!
Themes: risk taking; peer relationships
Curriculum Ties: communication arts/literature (identify and experience stories and tall tales, comparison and contrast, storytelling, comedic writing techniques; setting/plot)

Young Playwrights’ Festival
A Collection of New Works by Kansas City’s Most Talented Teen Playwrights Performed by Professionals
April 29 and 30, 2009
Preteen/Young Adult Series

The Coterie’s Young Playwrights Roundtable features the city’s best young writers in a bold and striking writing project. The rich and varied theatrical writings which emerge from a year-long process are forged into an ambitious festival of script-in-hand stagings—utilizing the finest actors, directors, and designers to make this a special experience about quality writing by young people. A highlight in the Coterie’s season.
Curriculum Ties: creative writing; peer relationships; communication; social interactions and issues; writing inspiration.

U BUG:ME
June 23 – August 2, 2009
Elementary/Family Series
Music and lyrics by Jeremiah Neal
Directed & Choreographed by Ernie Nolan

Live rock musical for kids! Life isn't easy when you're a bug. Pico the Fly knows all about it: his best friend, clever Esteban the Earwig, discovers a revolutionary way to harvest soil, but things get thorny when the buddies enter Queen Bee’s Annual Contest. The Ant-Hill Band rocks the show with hilarious songs!

Box Office (816) 474-6552
Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday and Sundays noon to 3 p.m. Performance days only