Children's Theatre Company (CTC) and School of Minneapolis Alumni Archive: Dr. Seuss' The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins (1980)

Dr. Seuss' The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins. 1980.
John Peitzman as Bartholomew Cubbins; Stephen Boe as King Derwin.

Joshua Tweed as Bartholomew. 1988.

PLEASE BE ADVISED that co-founder and artistic director John Clark Donahue, as well as a number of staff and/or school faculty members of the theatre (actor/instructor Jason McLean, for one) have been convicted and/or charged with criminal and/or civil crimes of sexual abuse of minors. In winter of 2019, in civil court, the Children's Theatre Company was also found guilty of negligence in these matters which occurred during the time period of the 1970s and 1980s (and probably earlier). Consequently, please be aware that the images and links within this blog include the contributions and participation of certain minors who were victims/survivors/witnesses of sexual and emotional abuse and residual trauma, as well as certain adult perpetrators, enablers, and/or former victims.

Sheer brilliance. Dr. Seuss' The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins. Premiered in spring, 1980. Book and lyrics by Timothy Mason. Music composed and orchestrated by Hiram Titus. Original production directed by John Clark Donahue. Scenic design, properties design, and magic by Jack Barkla. Costume design by Judith Cooper. Lighting design by Karlis Ozols. Musical direction by Thomas F. Florey.

The play exists as the first authorized stage adaptation of a Dr. Seuss storybook granted to a theatre company by the author, Theodor Geisel, himself. The beloved author's appearance on stage for the final curtain call at the world premiere was truly a highlight in the Theatre's history!