The Toothpaste Millionaire
By David Hansen
Based on the book by Jean Merrill
Performs May 18th-26th, 2024
Saturdays at 1:00 and 4:00
Sundays at 3:00
Directed by Ananias Dixon
Sixth-grader Rufus Mayflower is aghast when he sees that the price of toothpaste has gone up — and he bets he can make a WHOLE GALLON for the same price as one tube from the store! The challenge? He has to solve real-life math problems first! With help from his good friend Kate, and the collective power of a group of determined children, can this group keep up with the high demand for their popular product? Adapted from the beloved children’s book by Jean Merrill, playwright David Hansen weaves a story of perseverance, friendship, ingenuity, and the power in numbers (literally!) for children ages 8+
WORLD PREMIERE!
Past Performances in our 2023-2024 Season
Stellaluna
October 14th-22nd, 2023
Directed by Becca Martin
Adapted for the stage by Saskia Janse
Based on the book by Janell Cannon
With music by Guus Ponsioen
Baby bat Stellaluna’s life is knocked off balance when an owl attacks her mother one night. The tiny bat is lucky enough to land in a nest of baby birds, but her whole world has just turned upside down. Literally.
Stellaluna’s adoptive bird mom accepts her into her nest, but only on the condition that Stellaluna will act like a bird, not a bat. She stops hanging by her feet and starts eating (gulp) bugs. But when she finally has an opportunity to show her bird siblings what life as a bat is like, all of them are confounded. Anyone who has ever been asked to be someone they’re not will understand the conflicts and possibilities Stellaluna faces.
Accessible performances: October 21st and 22nd
With ASL interpretation on October 22nd
Open Captions on October 21st (1:00) and 22nd
Audio Description available October 21st and 22nd
Tactile Tours available 30 minutes prior to the start of the show on October 21st and 22nd, or by request October 14th and 15th.
Stellaluna is presented by special arrangement with Plays for New Audiences
Stellaluna will be performed at Pilgrim UCC in Tremont
2592 W 14th St, Cleveland, OH 44113
Chicken Storytime
November 10-12
Directed by Heather Utsler-Smith
Written by Sandra Fenichel Asher
ASL Interpreted Performances November 12th at 10 and 11:30 am
Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to story time at the library, of course! The children like the chicken, the chicken likes the children, and everyone loves story time. So it’s no surprise that more children (and more chickens!) get in on the fun until there are more kids and critters than the librarian knows what to do with. Luckily, the librarian comes up with a creative solution and manages to find little R & R too.
A Light in the Night: A Hanukkah Play
December 2nd-10th, 2023
Directed by Margi Zitelli
Written by Les and Elana Hunter
Judy’s family is in the middle of moving across town. And what’s worse? It’s the first night of Chanukah, and Mom and Dad forgot to pack the box with the menorah! Upset that everything is changing, Judy takes her bike back to the old house to search for the missing box. When she finds it, she discovers that not only does the menorah, Shammes, have the ability to talk but something has gone wrong with the story of Chanukah. Judy and Shammes now have to race to fix history before it’s time to light the first candle, all while Judy’s family frantically searches for her so they can celebrate together. Through the story, she learns to face her fears and to be brave.
WORLD PREMIERE
School of Fish February 2024 Directed by Heather Utsler-Smith Created by Ren Twardzik, Carrie Williams, and Heather Utsler-Smith
This immersive show was created especially for children ages 0-5, with lots of ways to move, swim, wiggle, dance, and explore! Children will join a school of fish working together to help reunite a lost sea turtle with its parents, all while moving throughout the immersive set spread throughout our home at 78th Street Studios!
All Performances of Last Stop on Market Street will be held in the beautiful auditorium at Rainey Institute:
1705 E. 55th St, Cleveland, OH 44103
Last Stop on Market Street
March 2024
Directed by Rebecca Burcher
Choreographed by Kailyn Mack and Darnell Weaver
Six-year-old CJ is (reluctantly) staying with his (extremely over-the-top) Nana, in a world considerably different from the one he’s used to (his phone and tablet). The disagreeable (and let’s just admit it, whiny) CJ is dragged on a bus ride that’s loud and gritty and a Very New Experience. Guided by his veritable force-of-nature Nana, he travels a little closer to his roots and sees that things are not always what they seem. This is one hip-hop, eclectic, heart-thumpin’, toe-tapppin’ joy ride!
Accessible performances: March 16th and 17th
With ASL interpretation on March 17th.
Open Captions on October 16th (1:00) and 22nd
Audio Description available March 16th and 17th
Pre-Play Tours available for all audience members 20 minutes prior to the start of the show.
For more information about access services at Talespinner, please contact heather@talespinnercle.org or via phone at 216-264-9680.