If he can do it, so can you!

If Colin Craven can make it out of his chair, you can make it to NCTC to see The Secret Garden! Performances continue in Newington through February 7, 2010. Remaining shows are Friday, February 5 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, February 6 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, February 7 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $8 for children, students, and seniors. Shows often do sell out, so please call the theatre at 860-666-NCTC (6282) to reserve tickets.

In the photo, Mary Lennox (Molly Menner) watches as Colin (Thomas Rattigan) learns to walk. Looking on are Dickon (Michael Luszczak) and Mrs. Sowerby (Marissa Sullivan).

Please don’t make this child scream!

Master Colin, played here by Thomas Rattigan, just heard that some people haven’t bought tickets yet for The Secret Garden. Trying to calm him is his nurse, played by Bridget Corcoran.

The Secret Garden continues performances in Newington through February 7, 2010. Remaining shows are Friday, February 5 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, February 6 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, February 7 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $8 for children, students, and seniors. Shows often do sell out, so please call the theatre at 860-666-NCTC (6282) to reserve tickets.

Auditions scheduled for The Wind in the Willows

NCTC has scheduled auditions for the children’s classic, The Wind in the Willows, on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., or by appointment on another date, at 743 North Mountain Road in Newington.  Callback auditions will be scheduled as necessary . The production will be presented April 30, May 1 and 2, 2010 for four performances.

Auditions are open to ages 9 to 16. No prior experience is required, and auditions are open to children from any town. Both males and females are encouraged to audition.  No prepared monologue is required, but those auditioning may be asked to read from the play.  Comfortable clothing and sneakers should be worn. To schedule an audition, call (860) 666-NCTC (6282). Pre-scheduled auditions are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome prior to 7:30 p.m. Students age 13 and up may also call with interest in stage crew and technical positions.  The NCTC production will be directed by Jill Luberto.

Based on the 1908 classic by Kenneth Graham, The Wind in the Willows is the story of Mr. Toad and the friends who rescue him from his troubles and save his home at Toad Hall in the English countryside. When Mr. Toad sees his first motor car, he falls uncontrollably in love with motoring and buys a car—which he crashes. He buys another car, followed by another crash, and another and another! When he’s ruled off the road, he steals a car and lands in jail. In prison, Toad learns that mischievous weasels have taken over his home and his friends have been thrown out. The jailor’s daughter helps him to escape, and in an exciting climax, Toad and friends Ratty, Badger, and Mole retake Toad Hall by storm. Toad makes up for his wrongdoings, and the friends live happily ever after.

The Wind in the Willows has been published in over one hundred editions in dozens of languages. It is also one of the most adapted stories of modern times, having provided the material and inspiration for plays and musicals, live-action and animated films and television specials, music and album titles (such as Pink Floyd’s The Piper at the Gates at Dawn named after Chapter 7 of The Wind in the Willows), and a Disney park attraction (Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride).

The Secret Garden set to open soon!

After four months of rehearsal and nearly nine months of planning, NCTC is ready to kick off the company’s forty-seventh annual touring production! The 2010 touring production will be THE SECRET GARDEN. The company’s talented young cast includes thirty-one children ranging in age from 9 to 16. The children have come together from twelve Connecticut towns including Berlin, Burlington, Farmington, Killingworth, New Britain, Newington, South Windsor, Southington, Wallingford, West Hartford, Wethersfield, and Willington.

Based on the children’s literary classic, this musical adaptation will entertain both children and adults. The story centers on ten-year-old Mary Lennox, who is sent to live at Misselthwaite Manor with her uncle in England after the death of her parents in colonial India. Once there, she finds her new home to be a gloomy fortress—her uncle is rarely home, and his young son, Colin, never leaves his room, convinced that he is an incurable invalid. When Mary discovers a strange, walled garden that has been locked up for years, she enlists the help of the gardener’s apprentice, Dickon, and together they coax the garden back to life. The garden seems to have a wonderful, magical effect on all who enter it, allowing Mary to help restore Colin’s health and repair his broken relationship with his father. This version also introduces the large and endearing Sowerby family who serves Misselthwaite Manor and befriends young Mary. The book is by Tim Kelly; music and lyrics are by Bill Francoeur. The production is directed by Christa Pizzoferrato.

First published in 1909, THE SECRET GARDEN has captivated generations of readers with the tale of two children who, with courage and strength, become determined to make their lives and the lives of others around them more joyful. The novel was written by Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849-1924), who was born in Manchester, England, and moved to the United States as a teenager. She wrote more than 40 books and is most famous for Little Lord Fauntleroy, A Little Princess, and The Secret Garden.

THE SECRET GARDEN opens at NCTC on January 29. Performances are Fridays, January 29 and February 5 at 7 p.m.; Saturdays, January 30 and February 6 at 7 p.m.; and Sundays, January 31 and February 7 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $8 for children, students, and seniors. Special group rates and party packages are available. Shows may sell out, so please call the theatre at 860-666-6282 to order tickets.

Touring performances of THE SECRET GARDEN begin in February. Check back over the next few months for dates and locations, including closing performances back at NCTC in April.

Happy Holidays!

A very happy holiday season and wishes for a wonderful 2010 go out to all of our NCTC friends and family! Thank you for your participation and support in 2009!