Growing Stage Theatre releases its schedule for the 2004 season

NETCONG-The Growing Stage Theatre, Route 183, Netcong, which is the only professional member theatre of the Actor's Equity Association in New Jersey that is solely dedicated to young people, has announced its performances for its 22nd Main Stage (2004-2005) season: A Midsummer Night's Dream (from the original play by William Shakespeare, adapted for The Growing Stage Theatre by Stephen L. Fredericks, Executive Director) opens Friday, Oct. 1 and runs through Sunday, Oct. 24. Babes in Toyland (from the original operetta by Victor Herbert, adapted for The Growing Stage Theatre stage by Perry Kroeger) opens Friday, Nov. 26 and runs through Sunday, Dec. 26. Utilizing the music of Victor Herbert and lyrics of Glen MacDonough, The Growing Stage Theatre's production takes much of its inspiration from the earlier cinema adaptation of the original work, entitled "The March of the Wooden Soldiers" which featured Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Holes by Louis Sachar opens Friday, Jan. 28 and runs through Sunday, Feb. 13. The novel, which won both the prestigious Newberry Award and the National Book Award, has been re-created into a stage version by its author Louis Sachar and makes its New Jersey premier on our stage. Stanley Yelnauts IV is falsely accused of stealing Clyde "Sweet Feet" Livingston's shoe donation to a local orphanage and will either go to jail or "Camp Green Lake" where he will be forced to dig large holes in the desert each day. But what the Warden is really trying to do is find a buried treasure that was murderer Kissin' Kate Barlow's fortune long ago. When Stanley and his friend Zero escape, things get really bad. Alice in Wonderland (from the original story by Lewis Carroll and adapted for The Growing Stage Theatre by Stephen L. Fredericks, Executive Director and Perry Arthur Kroeger with music by Peter Schultz and lyrics by Perry Arthur Kroeger), opens Friday, March 18 and runs through Sunday, April 17. Go, Dog! Go! (based on the book by P.D. Eastman). A play by Allison Gregory and Steven Dietz with music by Michael Koerner, opens on Friday, May 6 and runs through Sunday, May 22. This play is adapted from a book renowned for its ability to generate fun, learning, adventure and surprise with a minimum of text. It honors the joyous simplicity of the world around us. Go, Dog! Go!, which was originally produced by the Seattle Children's Theatre, makes its New Jersey premiere at The Growing Stage Theatre. Based on the classic children's book, the production has a genuine circus atmosphere to it as six performers celebrate and explore the play in the way a child can page through Eastman's book night after night and find something remarkable and new with each subsequent reading. Filled with comedy, movement and music, Go, Dog! Go! is a production for the entire family. Performances at The Growing Stage Theatre are held on Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays at 4 p.m. Child and senior tickets are $8 each and adult tickets are $12 each. Special pricing is available for season (five productions) packages if purchased prior to September 15, and group rates are also available. Call the box office at 973-347-4946 or stop in on Monday, Wednesday or Friday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. or visit growingstage.com. The Growing Stage Theatre is located in the historic Palace Theatre (circa 1919), and is listed on both the National and State Register of Historic Places.