Carousel Launches 2011 Season of Imaginative Theatre Adventures for Children

For its 39th season, Carousel Players features two new plays touring schools in 2011 that take children on imaginative adventures: from Marnie McPhee’s ordinary basement into outer space, and on a journey with Peg and her family across the ocean to climb Mount Everest. Opening at the Sullivan Mahoney Courthouse Theatre on Saturday, January 29th (11am and 2pm shows in downtown St. Catharines) is The Remarkable Flight of Marnie McPhee, a new play by Daniel Karasik for students in Grades 4 to 8. Tickets are $12 each and available at 905-682-8326 X26. The play tells the story of 9 year-old Marnie, a would-be astronaut, and tours to schools in February and March 2011 with performances at Theatre Orangeville on February 3 and 4, 2011. Marnie secretly builds a spaceship in her basement but gets caught. Much to her amazement she doesn’t get in trouble and her family helps her finish the job.

Peg and the Yeti is a new play by St. Catharines based writer Monica Dufault and is adapted from the popular children’s book by Kenneth Oppel. Written specifically for children in Grades JK to 3, Peg and the Yeti tours schools from March to May 2011 with performances at London’s Grand Theatre from May 5 to 7, 2011 and performances at the Sullivan Mahoney Courthouse Theatre on Saturday, April 9th at 11am & 2pm. Peg travels across the world by boat, by train, by water buffalo and she reaches the top of Mount Everest with help from a mysterious Yeti. Led by Peg’s parents, the audience participates in the expedition by creating the imaginary events and places along the way.

“Both plays are world premieres that feature young heroines who leave home on fantastical adventures” says Pablo Felices Luna, Artistic Director of Carousel Players. “Designer Jackie Chau sends Peg and the Yeti flying home on a balloon. Local designer Michael Greves launches Marnie on a spaceship in a remarkable flight into outer space. The two age-specific stories and theatrical presentations focus on different themes. Peg and the Yeti focuses on friendship, teamwork and imaginative play with parents and friends, whereas The Remarkable Flight of Marnie McPhee explores individuality, belonging and the importance of family.”

The cast for The Remarkable Flight of Marnie McPhee features actors Colin Doyle, Sarah English, Andrea Scott and Graeme Somerville and stage manager Kevin Olson. The creative team for The Remarkable Flight of Marnie McPhee includes director Pablo Felices Luna, set & costume designer Michael Greves and lighting & sound designer Gavin Fearon and the school tour is sponsored by Canadian Tire. The cast for Peg and the Yeti features actors Nisha Ahuja, Jennifer Balen and Mark Crawford and stage manager Erin Finn. The creative team for Peg and the Yeti includes director Pablo Felices Luna, set & costume designer Jackie Chau, lighting designer Raha Javanfar and sound designer Lyon Smith and the school tour is sponsored by Ontario Power Generation.

Carousel Players has been creating theatre for young people in St. Catharines since 1972. Over 2.7 million students, teachers and families have seen our productions. Visit Carousel’s website for more information at www.carouselplayers.com.

Media Contact: Jane Gardner (905) 682-8326 X23 or jane@carouselplayers.com