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Good Morning, Mr. Tillie, 1970.
Myron Johnson in the title role. |
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.
Originally produced by The Children's Theatre Company of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts in the Theatre's first season (winter of 1966), this original theatre experience was conceived, directed, choreographed, and designed by founder and artistic director John Clark Donahue (the 1970 production featured scenic design by resident designer Jack Barkla).
Presented without stage dialogue and minimal narration, the play is presented in mime and dance. It follows Mr. Tillie and his balloon and umbrella pursued by the ominous Big Odd-Glasses Man through a fantasy landscape in black and white until Mr. Tillie conquers his fears, culminating in a joyous, color-filled finale.
On tour, Washington D.C., late spring, 1970 appearing at
American Educational Theater Association Conference:
The video from the 1979 production (featuring CTC school student Mario Bravo in the title role) is of extremely poor quality, but the best that exists at the time. Two cameras were used to capture the play and the "close-up" camera's signal has dropped out from the tape.
Video clip 1:
Video clip 2:
Video clip 3:
