TEMPE, ARIZ.: Childsplay has announced its 2015–16 season, including a mix of old favorites and world premieres.
The season begins with John Olive’s Sideways Stories from Wayside School (Sept. 13–Oct. 18), adapted from Louis Sachar’s book about a wacky elementary school where students turn to apples, cows wander the halls and pigtails become snakes.
Next is the world premiere of Miriam Gonzales’s The Smartest Girl in the World (Oct. 25–Nov. 22), about a brother and sister duo who participate in a television quiz show to become “the smartest kids in the world.”
Following will be A Year with Frog and Toad (Nov. 15– Dec. 27), with book and lyrics by Willie Reale and music by Robert Reale, based on the books by Arnold Lobel. The musical follows the friendship of Frog and Toad through all four seasons.
Next will be Guus Ponsioen’s Perô, or the Mysteries of the Night (Jan. 24–Feb. 7, 2016), a puppet show about a baker and a washerwoman from the Speeltheatre Holland.
Following is Goodnight Moon (Feb.14–April 10, 2016), adapted by Chad Henry from Margaret Wise Brown’s book about a bunny’s special bedtime ritual.
Next will be the world premiere of Dwayne Hartford’s Pete, or the Return of Peter Pan (April 24–May 29, 2016), about Wendy’s return to Neverland with her brother. Hartford is the company’s incoming artistic director.
