The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at The Coterie Winter 2015

Name: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at The Coterie Winter 2015
Item: Coterie Theatre
Author: Kristina Light

by Kristina Light

February 1, 2015

5:24 p.m.

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J. Robert Schraeder and courtesy of The Coterie Theatre.

Left to right: Emily Nan Phillips (as Pellegrina), Nicole Marie Green (as Abilene), and Joseph Fournier (as Edward Tulane) in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.

Children's novelist Kate DiCamillo won our hearts with Because of Winn-Dixie and The Tale of Despereaux. This year, The Coterie brings her drama The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane to stage showing through March 1, 2015.

The story is one of a three-foot tall china rabbit, dressed in fine clothes. The rabbit journeys from one owner to another, narrating his thoughts for the audience, as he explains that he truly doesn't love anyone but himself. Bit by bit he learns about love and discovers that "even a heart of the most breakable kind can learn to love, to lose, and to love again."

This heart-warming tale left the audience a "bit wrung out" as described by Director David Saar. The play, recommended for ages 9 and up, is an emotional and often tear-jerking journey through the life of a toy rabbit. His owners range from loving children to hard hearted adults.

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Coterie's production features the talents of four fine actors, three of them portraying numerous characters throughout the show. Emily Nan Phillips plays the storyteller, Pellegrina, society lady, Martin, Lolly, Jack, the watchman, the old lady, Marlene, and Lucius Clarke. Nicole Marie Green plays Abilene, Nellie, Lucy the dog, hobos, Sarah Ruth, Neal, dolls, and the shopkeeper. Spencer Christensen plays Abilene's father, Amos, Lawrence, Bull, hobos, and Bryce. And, Joseph Fournier plays "The Musician," the voice of Edward's thoughts and feelings.

All four actors are adept at portraying a variety of characters with many backgrounds - old / young, rich / poor, and many accents as well. The simplicity of the stage design and costumes allowed for immediate scene changes as Edward met each new owner.

The show features music, puppetry, old-fashioned story telling, and a whole lot of heart.

My family has come to love The Coterie over the years. Sometimes they dazzle us with elaborate sets and design. Other times, as in the case of Edward Tulane, the simplicity of design opens the imagination and takes the audience on especially endearing and heart-warming adventures. The creative, professional, team at The Coterie never disappoints.

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What Parents Want to Know:

The Sad Scenes: Edward is lost and found many times on his journey. As he is ripped from the love of one friend and companion only to be lost again, and sometimes broken, many in the audience found themselves tearing up. This included children in attendance. In one scene, a little girl dies of a fatal disease. The love her brother shows her is very special.
Seating: This was our first time to attend a show at The Coterie without floor seating for children. As the show is targeted for an older audience, chairs are provided for everyone. The theater is small and intimate.
Kids' Verdict: I took three children to the show (ages 7 and 9) and they said the show was very good, and very very sad. We had great discussion on the way home.

SHOW DATES, TIMES & TICKETS

The Coterie, now in its 35th Season and named “One of the Five Best Theaters for Young Audiences in the U.S.” by Time magazine, will perform The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane Jan. 27 - Mar. 1, in The Coterie Theatre located on level one of Crown Center Shops in Kansas City, MO.

Individual Tickets: Tickets are $10.00 for youth under 18, students, and seniors age 60 and older; and $15.00 for adults.
Group Pricing: The Coterie offers groups of 20 or more a special rate. Contact 816.474.6552 for information.
Subscriptions: New this season, The Coterie introduces the Spotlight Club Pass, which works like season tickets without committing to a set schedule. Spotlight Club members pay $90.00 for a flexible pass that includes 10 tickets - a savings of 40% off individual ticket prices - that can be used for any show or combination of shows in the 2013/2014 Season.
All tickets and the new Spotlight Club Passes are on sale now and may be purchased by calling The Coterie’s box office at (816) 474-6552, dropping by the box office on level one of the Crown Center Shops, or by visiting www.thecoterie.org.