Thanks to the creative minds at the University of Houston School of Theatre & Dance, young audiences can see this story come to life as part of the Children’s Theatre Festival (CTF). This new adaptation of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” begins July 8 at UH’s Lyndall Finley Wortham Theatre.
Written by CTF founder Sidney Berger, directed by Chesley Krohn and with music by Rob Landes, this production remains faithful to the original story of a vain emperor who is fooled into thinking that his new robe was sewn from invisible material.
“This is a classic tale that speaks for itself,” said Berger, UH’s John and Rebecca Moores Professor of Theatre & Dance. “It has a lot of heart and a message that appeals to audiences of all ages. Ultimately, the title character realizes that the important things in life are not material objects but rather those who love him.”
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the annual festival, and Berger attributes its success to the honesty and sincerity of the plays.
“We don’t try to sugar coat anything,” Berger said. “We want to hold the audience’s attention and, at the same time, present these tales exactly as they were written.”
Children’s Theatre Festival tickets are $9 for adults and $8 for children 14 and younger. Reservations can be made by contacting the Wortham ticket office at 713-743-2929. For more information about the Children’s Theatre Festival including show times and dates, visit www.houstonfestivalscompany.com.
| WHAT: | Children’s Theatre Festival: “The Emperor’s New Clothes” |
| WHEN: | 10:30 a.m., July 8 – 11; 14 - 18; 2 p.m., July 13; 1 p.m., July 10, 16 |
| WHERE: | Lyndall Finley Wortham Theatre in UH’s Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts University of Houston - Entrance 16 |
| WHO: | The University of Houston’s School of Theatre & Dance |