Childsplay, Arizona - 2007-2008 Season

Miss Nelson is Missing

Sept. 7-Oct. 5, ages 5 and older

By Jeffrey Hatcher
Based on the book by Harry Allard and James Marshall

Miss Nelson gives the kids in Room 207 the lesson of their lives. After constant misbehaving
and classroom shenanigans, the kids swiftly straighten up when Miss Viola Swamp shows up.
Follow the students as they deal with a witch of a substitute who cancels recess, doubles the
arithmetic and gives 12 hours of homework! Will Miss Nelson ever return? This surprising
ending will have kids of all ages snickering in their seats.

    Tempe Center for the Arts – Theater
    Preview: Sept. 7 at 4 p.m. ($12 discounted tickets)
    Sat., Sept. 13 to Sat., Oct. 5, 2008
    Recommended for ages five and older.

Getting Near to Baby

Oct. 19-Nov 9, ages 7 and older

By Y York
Based on the book by Audrey Couloumbis

After the death of their baby sister, 12-year-old Willa Jo and Little Sister are whisked away from
their Mom to live temporarily with Aunt Patty, who has a million rules about everything.
Adapted from a Newbery Honor book, this poignant, new play traces a family’s journey of
acceptance and understanding in the face of loss. Presented last year as a part of “Imagination
Begins with Us” US Airways New Plays Festival for Families at People’s Light & Theatre in
Philadelphia, Childsplay is excited to present this Regional Premiere to Valley families.

    Preview: October 19 at 4 p.m. ($12 discounted tickets)
    October 25 to November 9, 2008
    Recommended for ages seven and older.

The Velveteen Rabbit

Nov. 16-Dec. 21, ages 3 and older

By Brian Burgess Clark
Based on the book by Margery Williams

The Rabbit returns! Childsplay brings back this wonderful tale of a small boy who receives a
stuffed velveteen rabbit as a Christmas gift. With the help of the boy’s fanciful imagination, he
and the rabbit have many adventures and are destined to become best friends. Children of all
ages can enjoy Margery William’s classic story of fun, loyalty and the transformative power of
love.

    Preview: November 16 at 4 p.m. ($12 discounted tickets)
    November 22 to December 21, 2008
    Recommended for ages three and older.

Busytown

Jan. 18-Feb. 21, ages 3 and older

    By Kevin Kling
    Music by Michael Koerner
    Based on the book by Richard Scarry

What do people do all day? Take a tour of Richard Scarry’s very busy town with a delightful
civics lesson for the youngest of citizens. Huckle Cat takes us on a tour of his great
neighborhood where there is much to see and do, and so many friends to visit. Children of all
ages will get to experience what it takes to make this town a very busy town!

    Preview: January 18 at 4 p.m. ($12 discounted tickets)
    January 24 to February 21, 2009
    Recommended for ages three and older.

Rock, Paper, Scissors

Feb. 28-March 8, ages 5 and older

A New Play

Co-conceived by Corey Madden and Laurel Meade
Childsplay continues the tradition of bringing new plays to the Valley’s children and beyond.
This World Premiere will examine creativity and storytelling through the lens of The Sorcerer's
Apprentice. Rock, Paper Scissors is a theatrical adventure for young audiences rendered through
live drawing and paper sculpture. This production will be a part of Childsplay’s 2008-09 touring
program.

    Preview: February 28 at 1 p.m. ($12 discounted tickets)
    February 28 to March 8, 2009
    Recommended for ages five and older.

Ferdinand the Bull

March 14-April 5, ages 5 and older

    By Karen Zacarias
    Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma
    Based on the book by Munro Leaf

Ferdinand doesn’t want to run and fight like the other bulls. He prefers to sit and smell the
flowers. This adaptation from the 1936 Spanish-infused classic celebrates the fight for
individuality as Ferdinand refuses to go along with the crowd. This production will be a part of
Childsplay’s 2008-09 touring program.

    Preview: March 14 at 1 p.m. ($12 discounted tickets)
    March 14 to April 5, 2009
    Recommended for ages five and older.

The Neverending Story

April 19-May 17, ages 5 and older

By David S. Craig
Based on the book by Michael Ende

Parents will remember this beloved 1984 movie from their childhood. Now they can now relive
this story with their children as Childsplay presents this tale of imagination and hope based on
the original book. Running from bullies, Bastian cracks open a mystical book, the story of the
race to save Fantastica from the dark destruction of The Nothing. The Childlike Empress sends
the unlikely hero Atreyu on a quest to find the one who can save them all. Atreyu’s adventure
takes him to the far corners of Fantastica, through the Swamp of Sadness, across the Magic
Mirror Gate and into the grips of a dangerous werewolf. Ending with a shimmer of hope and a
new beginning, this play will give parents and their children a shared experience that will never
end.

    Preview: April 19 at 4 p.m. ($12 discounted tickets)
    April 25 to May 17, 2009
    Recommended for ages five and older.

Peter and the Wolf

May 31-June 21, ages 4 and older

By Allison Gregory
Music by Hummie Mann

Peter and his grandfather, the duck, the cat, the wolf and the hunters make up the cast of this
well-loved story and a memorable musical theme accompanies each character through the play.
This innovative production provides a delightful introduction to theatre and classical
orchestration for the youngest of audiences and Prokofiev’s tale gets an exciting new riff.

    Preview: May 31 at 4 p.m. ($12 discounted tickets)
    June 6 to June 21, 2009
    Recommended for ages four and older.