New Jersey Stage 2017: Issue 9 | Page 123

The 2017-18 season not only finds Growing Stage taking on the challenge of presenting a pair of big productions (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Dreamworks’ Madagascar), but it includes a new adaptation of Cinderella and the world pre- miere of Boy Sees Flying Saucer. It’s definitely not dull theatre; this is a season that will accom- plish the goal of daring you to dream — a theme that was in- spired by everything that is cur- rently happening culturally and socially in the country. “We figured we needed to do our job as artists to collectively inspire others to dream of better things as opposed to all of the negativity we’ve been forced to focus on in the last few months,” explained Stephen L. Fredericks, Executive Director of the theatre. “So, we wanted to remind peo- ple and challenge ourselves as artists to create an environment NJ STAGE 2017 - Vol. 4 No. 9 which is positive and gives peo- ple the opportunity to dream about better things.” In addition to dreaming, the season offers escapism for the theatre-goer as well. “It’s kind of reestablishing our- selves as a safe haven,” con- tinued Fredericks. “And while we’re still encouraging folks to be able to learn and grow and experience the arts - at the same time, it’s establishing that the theatre is a place they can ex- press creatively without any kind of concern. To be able to experi- ence the arts and share the mo- ment in the theatre as a family.” One of the most intriguing plays on the schedule is the new adaptation of Cinderella. Taking place over the holiday season, the piece comes from Chicago’s Emerald City Theatre and this adaption of a fairy tale is a musical holiday wish come true. It offers a significant twist INDEX NEXT ARTICLE 123