Growing Stage readies for 25th season

Netcong - The Growing Stage will open its 25th anniversary season Oct. 13 with a production of A Year with Frog and Toad, music by Robert Reale with book and lyrics by Willie Reale. A Year with Frog and Toad follows the adventures of two best friends as they grow through the four seasons. The show is based on stories collected from Arnold Lobel’s award-winning series of Frog and Toad children’s books. Entering its 25th anniversary season, The Growing Stage remains committed to its mission to nurture the development of the performing arts through education, and to create, produce, and perform works that engage the entire family. The Growing Stage strives to develop new initiatives through the arts, on both the stage and in the classroom, to enhance and benefit the lives of young people across the state. Founded in 1981, the company engages a community of professional Equity actors and artists, community players, students, teachers and families who share a love for the enriching environment of theatre. As the only theatre solely dedicated to young audiences in New Jersey that owns its own facility, the restoration of the historic Palace Theatre has been recognized by both the state and local governments as a catalyst in the economic revitalization of its re-emerging community of Netcong. The Growing Stage offers children throughout the state, performances on its Main Stage, as well as an extensive educational program. The Growing Stage will celebrate the holiday season with its original adaptation of The Story of the Nutcracker, adapted by founder and executive director, Stephen L. Fredericks with Perry Arthur Kroeger and Peter Candela. Opening Nov. 24 and running through Dec. 23, Growing Stage’s original adaptation transforms the classic holiday ballet into a fully formed theatrical production laced with the music of Tchaikovsky. On Jan. 19, The Growing Stage will present the New Jersey premiere of James DeVita’s A Midnight Cry, which will run until Feb. 11. This historical drama is based on the true story of a young slave’s journey through the Underground Railroad to freedom. Through soulful music and poignant storytelling, A Midnight Cry brings to life for young people a vital part of our nation’s history. Seussical, the Musical follows, opening March 2 and running until March 25. With music and book by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics and book by Lynn Ahrens, and co-conceived with Eric Idle, the production is based on the characters and stories of Dr. Seuss. Seussical the Musical follows the adventures of Horton, an elephant, who one day hears voices coming from a speck of dust. He soon discovers that within this tiny speck exists the smallest planet in the universe, inhabited by a tiny race of creatures known as the Whos. The season concludes with Perry Arthur Kroeger’s adaptation of Aladdin, which will run April 27 through May 20. In this adaptation a troupe of Commedia dell’ Arte clowns enter a village and begin to perform their story of Aladdin. The fantasy quickly comes to life as the clowns meld into their characters and begin an adventure that includes powerful genies, rooms filled with treasure, palace intrigue, magic carpets, and the magic and music of Arabia. A Year with Frog and Toad and A Midnight Cry are available to schools for weekday performances at the Palace Theatre in Netcong. For information, call 973-347-4946 or log on to growingstage.com.