CAT IN THE HAT, DOCTOR DOLITTLE et al. Set for Orlando Rep in 2012-2013

Orlando Repertory Theatre (The REP), in partnership with UCF, has announced its 10th Birthday Season. The REP is Orlando's only professional theatre for families and young audiences and has performed shows such as PINKALICIOUS: The Musical, Lyle the Crocodile, and A Nutty Nutcracker Christmas.

The REP's 10th Birthday Season kicks off the fall with the musical THE PAPER BAG PRINCESS (September 6 - 30, 2012) by Jennifer Kirkeby and Shirley Mier, based on the picture book of the same name by Robert Munsch. A dragon kidnaps the prince on his wedding day and its fiery breath burns up all the clothes in the palace. The brave princess finds a paper bag to wear and off she goes to rescue her love. She enters the cave where the prince, still beautifully dressed, is held captive. When he questions her attire, she quickly realizes that maybe she should find someone else who appreciates her bravery and intelligence, rather than outward appearance.

Just in time for the election season is CHASING GEORGE WASHINGTON (October 18 – November 18, 2012), a new musical with book and lyrics by Karen Zacarias and music by Debbie Wicks La Puma. Dee Dee, Jose, and Annie accidentally knock George Washington out of his portrait and into real life, turning their tour into an unexpected adventure. As they try to get the nation's first President back into his painting, the threesome encounters other famous White House residents, including Abraham Lincoln and his wife Mary Todd, Dolley Madison, and Jackie Kennedy. Together, they learn that the White House isn't just a historic building; It's also a home for all Americans, no matter ethnicity or economic class.

JUNIOR CLAUS (November 15 – December 23, 2012) by Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond brings in the holiday season. Junior, Santa's only son, must save the day when a depleted Christmas "belief-o-meter" puts the jolly old man in a deep slumber. Junior must quickly master the art of climbing down chimneys, driving reindeer, reading GPS in a blizzard, and everything else that goes into the greatest delivery in the world. With the help of an elf friend, a homesick penguin, and a youngster who fully believes in the Christmas spirit, Junior may just save Christmas in time in this new musical.

The New Year begins with THE VOYAGES OF DOCTOR DOOLITTLE (January 24 – February 24, 2013), adapted by Ernie Nolan from the novels of Hugh Lofting. Follow nine-and-a-half-year-old Tommy Stubbins as he meets everyone's favorite animal doctor, John Dolittle and his friends Polynesia the Parrot, Chee Chee the Monkey, Jip the Dog, Gub Gub the Pig, and Dab Dab the Duck. Join them on an adventure as they travel from quiet Puddleby-on-the-Marsh to the bottom of the sea to meet The Great Glass Snail.

The REP is set to present the southeastern premiere of a brand-new production of Dr. Seuss's THE CAT IN THE HAT (February 14 – March 24, 2013), based on the book by Dr. Seuss and adapted by Katie Miller for The National Theatre of Great Britain. From games and mischief, to Thing One and Thing Two, The Cat in the Hat is a friend for a boring rainy afternoon. But will Sally and her brother be able to explain the mess to Mother? 

The season wraps up in high spirits with THE ADVENTURES OF Tom Sawyer TYA (April 18 – May 26, 2013), based on the novel by Mark Twain, and conceived and written by Ken Ludwig, with music and lyrics by Don Schlitz. This special Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) version of the Broadway musical production finds Tom matching wits with stern Aunt Polly and taking the adventure of his life with Becky Thatcher and that irresistible renegade, Huckleberry Finn. Filled with foot-stomping, toe-tapping songs, THE ADVENTURES OF Tom Sawyer is a tale of escapes, comedy, and inspiration.