Victor Zupanc News

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is thrilled to kick off the new season with the acclaimed return of Pinocchio, the clever adaptation of Carlo Collodi's classic Italian folk tale that dazzled CTC audiences when it premiered in 2013. The production is created by Greg Banks who has created many highly-acclaimed adaptations, including The Jungle Book, Robin Hood, Huck Finn, and Romeo and Juliet. This production, like Collodi's story, explores the magical moments when make-believe becomes real.

Children's Theatre Company is proud to announce its 2016-2017 season which includes four musicals, two CTC audience favorites, and two world premiere productions including the development of a new Dr. Seuss musical based on the story of the Sneetches and an epic new play by Naomi Iizuka.

Fresh off its world-premiere run in Minneapolis, Children's Theatre Company's new production about an 11-year-old spelling prodigy comes to Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. The show is adapted for the stage by veteran playwright Cheryl L. West (Arena's Pullman Porter Blues, Jar the Floor), who partners with celebrated director Charles Randolph-Wright (director of Broadway's Motown and an inaugural resident playwright with Arena Stage, where he premiered his play Love in Afghanistan). AKEELAH AND THE BEE runs now through December 27, 2015 in the Kreeger Theater, and BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivites at Arena Stage below!

All in all, this is a thoroughly enjoyable production and one that I would highly recommend.

Confession: I've never read THE JUNGLE BOOK (the collection of stories written by Rudyard Kipling in 1894) or seen the 1967 Disney movie (that I can remember). So I was on the fence about seeing Children's Theatre Company's new adaptation, until I saw the cast list. They're about a month into their two and a half month run, and I'm so glad I decided to see the show. This coming of age story that just happens to take place in a jungle is a wonderful tale of friendship, family, community, interdependence with nature, and finally having the courage to strike out on your own. With a sparse adaptation featuring just five actors playing all of the characters (most of them animals), whimsical musical accompaniment and sound effects, and a set that's like the best playground imaginable, THE JUNGLE BOOK is sheer delight from start to finish.

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is extending the premiere stage adaptation of The Jungle Book for a second week, closing December 20. This classic tale is brought to stunning new life through director Greg Banks' unique style that emphasizes the sheer virtuosity of the actors.

Fresh off its world-premiere run in Minneapolis, where Star Tribune declared "Akeelah and the Bee triumphs," Children's Theatre Company's new production about an 11-year-old spelling prodigy comes to Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. The show is adapted for the stage by veteran playwright Cheryl L. West (Arena's Pullman Porter Blues, Jar the Floor), who partners with celebrated director Charles Randolph-Wright (director of Broadway's Motown and an inaugural resident playwright with Arena Stage, where he premiered his play Love in Afghanistan). Akeelah and the Bee runs November 13-December 27, 2015 in the Kreeger Theater.

 The Theatre School at DePaul University's 2015-2016 season features two world premiere productions, reimagined classics, contemporary pieces, and engaging entertainment for the whole family.  Productions for the general public will continue for the third full season at The Theatre School's award-winning new facility in Lincoln Park, and Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences will continue to welcome young people and their families to the historic Merle Reskin Theatre in the South Loop.

Based on Mark Twain's classic Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Children's Theatre Company (CTC) will present Greg Banks' adaptation of Huck Finn, now through April 4, 2015. Banks, whose CTC credits include Pinocchio, Robin Hood, Antigone, Romeo and Juliet and more, will direct, with music composed by Victor Zupanc, set by Joseph Stanley, costumes by Mary Anna Culligan and lighting design by Paul Whitaker. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Based on Mark Twain's classic Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Children's Theatre Company (CTC) will present Greg Banks' adaptation of Huck Finn, tonight, March 3 - April 4, 2015.

Based on Mark Twain's classic Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Children's Theatre Company (CTC) will present Greg Banks' adaptation of Huck Finn, March 3 - April 4, 2015. Banks, whose CTC credits include Pinocchio, Robin Hood, Antigone, Romeo and Juliet and more, will direct, with music composed by Victor Zupanc, set by Joseph Stanley, costumes by Mary Anna Culligan and lighting design by Paul Whitaker. Huck Finn premiered at CTC in the 2006-2007 season and is part of the theatre's ongoing commitment to reimagining classics for the stage.

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) remounts the holiday classic Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, on stage tonight, November 11, 2014 to January 4, 2015 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast in action!

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) remounts the holiday classic Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, on stage November 11, 2014 to January 4, 2015 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast in action!

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is proud to present Seedfolks, a world premiere developed by CTC through the new play development lab. Based on the Newbery Medal-winning book by Paul Fleischman, Seedfolks is about an immigrant neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio that is transformed by a community garden. Actor Sonja Parks embodies the eleven distinct voices of Gibb Street in this enthralling, one-woman production, directed by Peter C. Brosius. Seedfolks runs now through November 16, 2014 on the Cargill Stage. Below, BroadwayWorld has a first look at Parks onstage!

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is proud to present Seedfolks, a world premiere developed by CTC through the new play development lab. Based on the Newbery Medal-winning book by Paul Fleischman, Seedfolks is about an immigrant neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio that is transformed by a community garden. Actor Sonja Parks embodies the eleven distinct voices of Gibb Street in this enthralling, one-woman production, directed by Peter C. Brosius. Seedfolks runs today, September 30 - November 16, 2014 on the Cargill Stage.

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) will present Busytown the Musical, based on the beloved children's book 'What Do People Do All Day?' by Richard Scarry, adapted by Kevin Kling, directed by Sean Graney, with music by Michael Koerner and choreography by Tommy Rapley, on the UnitedHealth Group Stage today, September 16 - October 26, 2014. Live music performed onstage by Music Director/Sound Designer Victor Zupanc as a one-man band!

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is proud to present Seedfolks, a world premiere developed by CTC through the new play development lab. Based on the Newbery Medal-winning book by Paul Fleischman, Seedfolks is about an immigrant neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio that is transformed by a community garden. Actor Sonja Parks embodies the eleven distinct voices of Gibb Street in this enthralling, one-woman production, directed by Peter C. Brosius. Seedfolks runs September 30 - November 16, 2014 on the Cargill Stage.

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) will present Busytown the Musical, based on the beloved children's book 'What Do People Do All Day?" by Richard Scarry, adapted by Kevin Kling, directed by Sean Graney, with music by Michael Koerner and choreography by Tommy Rapley, on the UnitedHealth Group Stage September 16 - October 26, 2014. Live music performed onstage by Music Director/Sound Designer Victor Zupanc as a one-man band!

Votes are cast; polls are closed; and results have been tabulated! This was our biggest year yet! After a record number of voters in more than 50 regions worldwide, BroadwayWorld is very excited to announce the 2013 Minneapolis winners! Thanks to all who voted, and huge congratulations to all the winners!