Good Morning, Mr. Tillie (1970, '79)

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.

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The Marvelous Land of OZ (1981)

"The Marvelous Land of OZ" 1981.  L to R: Christopher Passi, Carl Beck,
Rana Haugen, Gary Briggle, Stephen Boe.

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.

The final production of The Children's Theatre Company and School's 1980-81 season was a new musical adaptation of the second book in the beloved OZ series of tales by L. Frank Baum entitled "The Marvelous Land of OZ."

Originally, the production was to be mounted by a guest writer/director but, ultimately, his concepts were felt not to be a good aesthetic match with the Company and so, fairly last-minute, the production team changed.  Artistic Director John Clark Donahue assumed the role of stage director and Thomas W. Olson, resident playwright who previously that season had created the scripts for "The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant" and "The Clown of God," quickly began working on a new adaptation, while Gary Briggle was engaged to write lyrics with Richard A. Dworsky's music.  Myron Johnson served as Associate Director and Choreographer.  Jack Barkla created the scenic design, Barry Robison the costumes, Karlis Ozols the lighting design, and sound design by Robert Jorissen and John Lupori.  Stage management by Michael L. Hennen. 

The cast was led by young student actor Christopher Passi as Tip, with Wendy Lehr as Mombi, Carl Beck as Jack Pumpkinhead, Julee Cruise as General Jinjur and Suzanne Petri as her Colonel, Gary Briggle as the Scarecrow, Stephen Boe as the Tin Woodsman, Rana Haugen as Jellia Jamb, Tom Dunn as the Wogglebug, Kathleen Wegner as Glinda, and Garth Schumacher, Steve Huke, Oliver Osterberg, and James McNee in featured roles. 

The remainder of the large cast included Lynn Anderson, Andrea Bebel, Gary Costello, Libby Croteau, John Cunningham, Lisa Dante, Michael deLeon, Sally Dworsky, Melissa Finnson, Kristen B. Froebel, Andrea Franchett, Molly B. Gilbert, Heather Gorecki, David A. Gray, Tracy Harrison, Amy Harsha, Keith Herron, Catie Hinchey, Stacey Howatt, Sonya Kostich, Kate McKillip, Sean McNellis, Michael Monroney, Sarah Napier, Kris Neville, Peter Passi, Elizabeth Piper, Devi Piper, Angela B. Prokop, Chris Ryan, Truda Stockenstrom, Lily Iran Vakili, Mary Walker, Julie Warder, Jon Westgaard, Elizabeth White, Lori Williams, and Gabrielle Zuckerman.

The orchestra was conducted by Thomas F. Florey.  Composer Richard Dworsky served as alternate conductor.  Musicians: Oboe - Julie Madura, Clarinet - Barbara Stucki, Trumpet - Joe Morrisey, Dave Jenson, Horn - Boris Rybka, Trombone - Steve Lund, Dave Sorenson, Bass - David Berg, Piano - Hiram Titus, Richard Dworsky, Synthesizer - Greg Theisen, Percussion - Jay Johnson.

Running Crew included Helene Wasserman and Liz Fink as Assistant Stage Managers, and Doug Pipan, Lesley Moore, Elizabeth Hardy, Loren Johnson, Mike Murnane, Rich Rummel, Andy Sullivan, Wanda Copland, Peter Sullivan, Renate Graf, Andrea Zuckman, Lawrence Fried, Karyn Edenlof, Chris Huttner, Tim Koering, Terry Moose, Fred Schissel, Sabra Thurber, William Wilson.

With "The Marvelous Land of OZ," the Company embarked on a three-year relationship with professional video producers The Television Theatre Company, shutting down the theatre for two weeks at the end of the season and transforming the auditorium into a video soundstage.  The following winter, "The Marvelous Land of OZ" was distributed by MCA/Universal for cablecast on Showtime/HBO (winning a cable ACE award for outstanding family entertainment) and was also made available for home purchase on videocassette.

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Puss in Boots (1981)

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.


In the fall of 1981, performing in repertory with Timothy Mason's Kidnapped in London, the Children's Theatre Company and School presented a new adaptation of the classic children's tale Puss in Boots by guest playwright Sharon Holland.  Set in New Orleans, Louisiana in the early 20th century, the play also boasted a number of Dixieland-inspired songs with music composed and orchestrated by Hiram Titus.  The production was directed by John Clark Donahue, with scenic design by Jack Barkla and costume design by Barry Robison.  The role of Puss was created by the accomplished CTC student Nate Peterson, who had previously appeared in featured roles in Falling Moons and A Circle is the Sun.

Deeming the previous summer's professional videotaping of  The Marvelous Land of OZ worthwhile, CTC again collaborated with the Television Theatre Company in creating a professional video of Puss in Boots
for distribution by MCA/Universal for cablecast on HBO, Showtime, etc. as well as videocassette.  CTC student alumnus Garry Q. Lewis (active at CTC in the late 60's through 1974), who had accrued professional credentials in New York City ("Bubblin' Brown Sugar") and national tour ("The Wiz"), assumed the role of Puss.

"Puss in Boots" video 1982.  Julee Cruise, Garry Q. Lewis.

Nancy Wagner, Jason McLean

 

Wendy Lehr

Audio clips from stage production and TTC video:

Clip 1:  Opening (from Video):  http://www.mediafire.com/file/43w9ggq1p6b7wx1/Puss_-_TTC_-_Opening_Credits.mp3/file

Clip 2:  Funeral (from Video):  http://www.mediafire.com/file/0y45bg2fupofzc9/Puss-_TTC_-_Funeral.mp3/file

Clip 3:  You're Free (from Video):  http://www.mediafire.com/file/f10vz8jweenpmd1/Puss-TTC-_You%2527re_Free.mp3/file

Clip 4:  Daugette Dance (from Video):  http://www.mediafire.com/file/n7m10uga6hkztjk/Puss_-_TTC_-_Daugette_Dance.mp3/file

Clip 5:  Singing Waiters "Sing for Your Supper":  http://www.mediafire.com/file/8z6zj732k7lxz89/Puss_-_Singing_Waiters.mp3/file

Clip 6:  "Katmandu" with J.D. Steele as Mysterious Babies Emcee, Julee Cruise as Lulu White, and Nate Peterson as Puss.  http://www.mediafire.com/file/lny99pm1dix7zmw/Puss_-_Katmandu.mp3/file



"Down by the city gate all the kitties congregate
And there they tell a tale or two of what it's like in Kathmandu...

Pussycat, Pussycat, where have you been?
Down to Kathmandu, where it ain't no sin.
It's where the cats incline because they're feline fine
They like to sit on fences and catcall till the fun commences
Oh there's lots of things a cat can do
Way down in Kathmandu.

Pussycat, Pussycat, what'd you do there?
Got rubbed the wrong way, but I don't care.
That's where the kitties swing, they caterwaul and cling,
And you can hear at night the catechism they recite.
Oh, there's lots of things a cat can do
Way down in Kathmandu.

Pussycat, Pussycat, why don't we run
Down to Kathmandu, just to have some fun?
I'm sure anticipatin' some classy syncopatin'
When the cats create that sound, they never pussyfoot around.
Oh, there's lots of things a cat can do
Way down in Kathmandu."

Clip 7:  Mardi Gras dance and song (traditional ballad: "If Ever I Cease to Love") (from Video):  http://www.mediafire.com/file/dog9sd9233su43s/Puss_-_TTC_-_Mardi_Gras_Parade_%2526_Song.mp3/file

Clip 8:  Finale: http://www.mediafire.com/file/2oy8c9x3mcmvorj/Puss_-_Finale.mp3/file


All compositions were performed by a live pit orchestra. Now a rare event indeed, CTC's productions during "the old days" were quite frequently accompanied by live musicians and, in hindsight, was something often taken for granted.

Ricia Birturk, costume director, working with guest designer Barry Robison on a Mardi Gras costume.

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