An American Tail the Musical, based on the 1986 Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment animated film, will make its world premiere April 25-June 18 at Minnesota's Tony-winning Children's Theatre Company.
Produced in association with Universal Theatrical Group, the musical features a book and lyrics by The Band's Visit Tony winner Itamar Moses and music and lyrics by Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler. Taibi Magar (We Are Proud to Present) directs with music supervision by Andrea Grody (The Band’s Visit) and choreography by Katie Spelman (The Notebook).
The cast will feature Luverne Seifert as Papa/Warren T. Rat, Becca Hart as Mama/Digit, Ryan London Levin as Tony, Kiko Laureano as Bridget, CTC Company Member Autumn Ness as Gussie, Rue Norman as Moe/Cherisse, Deidre Cochran as Henri, CTC Company Member Reed Sigmund as Honest John, Morgen Chang as Qiujin Parent/Dance Captain, CTC Company Member Dean Holt as German Landlord/Official/Police, and Glenn E. Williams II as Ensemble.
The student cast will include Matthew Woody as Fievel, Lillian Hochman as Tanya/Orphan, Monica Xiong as Qiujin, Ines Mojica as Orphan/Ensemble, El Kost as Sigfried/Ensemble, Mabel Weismann as Stu/Ensemble, Anja Arora as Ensemble, Mari Peterson-Hilleque as Ensemble, and Tic Trietler as Ensemble.
Understudies include Jim Ahrens as Papa/Warren/Honest John Understudy, Samantha Buckley as Mama/Digit/Gussie Understudy, Morgen Chang as Henri Understudy, Adelyn Frost as Student Cover 1, Max Kile as Tony/German Landlord Understudy, Sam Mandell as Fievel Understudy, Ines Mojica as Quijin Understudy/ Quijin Family Understudy, Junia Morrow as Student Cover 3, Rue Norman as Bridget Understudy, Mabel Weismann as Tanya Understudy, and Glenn E. Williams II as Moe/Cherisse Understudy.
An American Tail follows the optimistic, young Fievel Mousekewitz, who escapes Russia by boat, making his way as a new immigrant in New York. Despite everything stacked against him, Fievel clings to his dreams of a better life and reuniting with his family.
The creative team also includes scenic designer Jason Sherwood, costume designer Trevor Bowen, lighting designer Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew, sound designer Katharine Horowitz, puppet designer Christopher Lutter-Gardella, dramaturg Talvin Wilks, dialect coach Keely Wolter, associate music supervisor/conductor Victor Zupanc, copyist Jason Hansen, assistant director Emma Lai, assistant choreographer Emily Madigan, assistant lighting designer Ellie Simonett, associate sound designer Sten Severson, stage manager Jenny Friend, assistant stage manager/stage manager Kathryn Sam Houkom, assistant stage manager Z Makila, and stage management fellows Cortney Gilliam and Jiccarra N. Hollman.
Featuring a screenplay by Judy Freudberg and Tony Geiss based on a story by David Kirschner, the film's voice cast included Dom DeLuise, Christopher Plummer, Phillip Glasser, Erica Yohn, and more. An American Tail was nominated for an Academy Award in 1987 for Best Original Song for "Somewhere Out There," penned by James Horner, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil.
In related news, it was announced earlier this week that Artistic Director Peter Brosius, who took helm of the company in 1997, will depart his role June 30, 2024, at the end of the 2023-2024 season. During his tenure, he has produced more than 187 productions and championed more than 70 new works from commission to fully developed productions. The CTC Board of Directors has hired Management Consultants for the Arts to conduct the search for the next artistic director, who will begin July 1, 2024.
“I have loved every moment of my time here. I couldn't be prouder of this team and the work we do every day. It has been an honor and a privilege to be an advocate for young people, for their intelligence, their dignity, and their agency. I have been filled with endless joy and hope for the future by their enthusiasm and their optimism,” says Brosius. “I have had the great good fortune of working with brilliant artists who brought their whole hearts and talents to this work. The staff and board at CTC are all so deeply committed to our mission and to truly making a difference in the lives of our community. It has been a pleasure to work with my partners in leadership and most recently it has been a joy to move this theatre forward with Kim Motes."
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