Theatre at the Center Announces 2011-2012 Theatre for Young Audiences Season October 6, 2011

Popular Theatre for Young Audiences Presents Educational Family Classics paired with Fun, Interactive Events:

Munster, INDIANA – Theatre at the Center’s Theatre for Young Audiences, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana, recognized for bringing exciting, fun and educational productions, announces their 2011-2012 season. Relive a musical adaptation of the classic fairytale Sleeping Beauty, running October 6 through October 8; the traditional holiday musical Babes in Toyland runs November 28 through December 12; a story of courage and equality, The Color of Justice runs January 23 through January 27; and the funny, loveable Junie B. Jones comes to the stage April 16 through April 21.

The season will kick off with the musical adaptation of Sleeping Beauty, based on the classic fairytale. The Princess is cursed to sleep for eternity unless her fairy helpers can find a prince to break the curse. But with no prince in sight, and their evil sister hovering, will the curse ever be broken? Sleeping Beauty is a timeless story of love and magic that is sure to delight children of all ages. Groups in attendance will have the chance to join the fun by entering the Sleeping Beauty coloring contest. The winner will receive a four pass to Fair Oaks Farms in Fair Oaks, Indiana.

The traditional holiday musical, Babes in Toyland, will bring the delightful Mother Goose characters to life in a fun-filled, holiday adventure at Theatre at the Center. The villainous Barnaby plans to foreclose on the mortgage of Mother Gooseland. It’s up to Tommy Tucker and Mary Contrary as well as the whole gang of Mother Goose characters to save Mother Gooseland. Their efforts take them to Toyland to seek the help of the Toymaker however; Barnaby has very different plans of his own. Celebrate the magic of the season and see how friendship and teamwork save the day. Groups in attendance will have the opportunity to enter the Babes in Toyland create your own toy contest and have the chance to win a $200 “Build a Bear Workshop Party” for you and your friends. This contest is sponsored by Build a Bear Workshop, Inc. at the Westfield Southlake Mall.

The Color of Justice is the tale of a courageous young girl. It is the story of America in the 1950’s, a time of segregated restaurants and schools, separate restrooms and drinking fountains for “colored” and “whites”. It was also a time when “separate but equal” was upheld by the United States Supreme Court. Eight year old Grace Carter does not understand why her “colored” school has to settle for hand-me-downs from “white” schools. Most importantly, she and her family don’t want to be treated like a “special” group of people. The Color of Justice is the tale of Grace Carter’s battle; a battle against bigots, against fearful friends and neighbors and a battle for her safety and her home. Groups in attendance will have the opportunity to enter The Color of Justice essay contest and have the opportunity to win a $25, $50 or $100 youth savings account. This contest is sponsored by Peoples Bank of Munster, Indiana.

Junie B. Jones is a colorful, funny, fast-paced musical which takes the audience into the life of the outspoken, precocious, lovable heroine of the same name. Join Junie as she experiences new friends, new glasses, sugar cookies, the annual kickball tournament, and other angst-ridden situations! Follow her adventures as she writes down the story of her life in her “Top Secret Personal Beeswax Journal”. Junie B. Jones is based on Barbara Punk’s series of books, published by Random House. Groups in attendance will be able to enter the Junie B. Jones journal cover contest and have the opportunity to win a children’s art class sponsored by South Shore Arts.

Founded in 1991, Theatre at the Center is a year-round professional theater at its home, The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. Theatre at the Center is conveniently located off I-80/94, just 35 minutes from downtown Chicago.


All performances are one hour. Group performances are weekdays at 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. There are also select Saturday afternoon public performances. Group prices are $6.50 per student, adult tickets are $8.00 and groups of 100 or more students are only $5.50 per student and $8.00 per adult. One complimentary ticket is issued for every 25 paid student reservations. One Study Guide is also issued per Group or may be down-loaded from the theatre’s website. Individual prices are children, $7.00, and adults, $8.50. To purchase group tickets call 219.836.3258 and to purchase individual tickets call the Box Office at 219.836.3255 or Tickets.com at 800.511.1552. For more information on Theater at the Center, visit www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com.

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