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Posted Thursday, August 20, 2015 :: Victoria Hoffman

Full of energy, humor, music, dancing and some very valuable grammar lessons, Schoolhouse Rock Live kicks off Olathe Civic Theatre Association’s 2015-2016 season with a bang. The show is directed by Shelly Stewart Banks and runs Sept. 11-27.

Kansas City, MO – infoZine – It’s a project packed with memories for anyone who remembers the iconic 70s Saturday morning Schoolhouse Rock cartoon that taught history, grammar, math, science and politics through clever songs. The musical brings all of it to life onstage, chronicling the story of Tom, a nerve-wracked school teacher nervous about his first day of teaching. Tom tries to relax by watching TV when various characters representing facets of his personality emerge from the set and show him how to win his students over with imagination and music, through such beloved Schoolhouse Rock songs as Just A Bill, Lolly, Lolly, Lolly and Conjunction Junction.

For Banks, Schoolhouse Rock is pure nostalgia.

For me, Schoolhouse Rock is a great shared experience of my generation,” Banks said. “It’s how I, and all the kids my age, accidentally learned stuff. I love every bit of it – the cartoons, the songs, the message, the teaching of math, grammar, science and history.”

Banks also has the opportunity to bring both familiar and new perspectives together on the show.

“While the musical director and I grew up on Schoolhouse Rock, a lot of this young cast did not,” Banks explained. “They are approaching it with fresh eyes and ears, bringing their own experiences, music influences, and 2015 sensibilities to the show. I look forward to seeing how we marry the two different generations of perspective to create our own brand of this show.”

The cast includes: Guy Gardner (Tom); Delano Mendoza (Joe); Micayla Miller (Shulie); Kristen Altoro (Dina); and Jennifer Coville (Dori).

The rest of the production staff includes: Kevin Hershberger (music direction) Guy Gardner (choreography); Rita Marks (stage manager); J. Patrick Inlow (lights/video design); Ken Schmidt (set design); and Kerry Schafer (costumes).

In honor of Deaf Awareness Week, OCTA will partner with the Hearing Loss Association of America-Kansas City Chapter (HLAA-KC) to provide an open caption performance at the Sept. 26 show, with seats reserved for a select group of people with hearing loss, their family and friends.

The show runs for three weekends on Sept. 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, and 25, 26, 27 with Friday and Saturday night performances at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

HLAA-KC Group – You can PURCHASE or RESERVE tickets at group rate for Hearing Loss Association of America – Kansas City group directly from this link, or copy and past the URL in your browser:

http://olathetheatre.org/product/schoolhouse-092615-hlaa/

**Please NOTE: It is easiest if you use this direct link. If a user is navigating on the website to try to find these tickets (without copying and pasting this link into their browser) this ticket block might be hard to find.

The system has been programmed so ONLY HLAA-KC people will get this group rate through the link and you will not be able to find the HLAAKC group rate by navigating on the website.

If you have Facebook and need details click below:
https://www.facebook.com/events/885406841541083/.

If you do NOT have Facebook and need details click below:
https://hlaakc.com/2015/07/29/open-caption-live-theater-saturday-sept-26-2015-8-10pm-70-seats-available/

If you have questions, please email Meghan at talk_to_us@olathetheatre.org, or call 913-782-2990.

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MEET THE CAST OF SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE!

Micayla Miller (Shulie):

Micayla is thrilled to be performing with the amazing cast of Schoolhouse Rock Live! This is her first show at OCTA, however she has previously been in The Wiz, Honk, Damn Yankees, and Les Miserables at The Theatre in the Park, as well as multiple shows at the University of Kansas. She would like to thank her friends and family for their support in the arts and the crew and directors of Schoolhouse Rock Live!

Delano Mendoza (Joe):

Delano is so excited to be sharing his debut at OCTA with you! During the summer he also appeared in the ensemble of The Wiz at The Theatre in the Park. He studied vocal music education at Emporia State University before moving to the Kansas City area to follow his dreams. He continues to thank his incredible family and friends for their never ending support. Never stop believing: You’ll go far.

Guy Gardner (Tom / Choreographer):

Guy is excited to make his OCTA stage debut in Schoolhouse Rock Live! Guy previously choreographed I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change for OCTA and is excited to come back with a show that has a cast, crew, and band of his friends again! Around KC, Guy has been in shows like Spamalot, Damn Yankees, Sordid Lives, and more. Following Schoolhouse, he’s excited to go back on tour with Dreamworks Theatricals performing in VeggieTales Live! Little Kids Do BIG Things!

HLAA-KC Group – You can PURCHASE or RESERVE tickets at group rate for Hearing Loss Association of America – Kansas City group directly from this link, or copy and past the URL in your browser:  http://olathetheatre.org/product/schoolhouse-092615-hlaa/

**Please NOTE: It is easiest if you use this direct link. If a user is navigating on the website to try to find these tickets (without copying and pasting this link into their browser) this ticket block might be hard to find.

The system has been programmed so ONLY HLAA-KC people will get this group rate through the link and you will not be able to find the HLAAKC group rate by navigating on the website.

If you have Facebook and need details click below:
https://www.facebook.com/events/885406841541083/.

If you do NOT have Facebook and need details click below:
https://hlaakc.com/2015/07/29/open-caption-live-theater-saturday-sept-26-2015-8-10pm-70-seats-available/

If you have questions, please email Meghan at talk_to_us@olathetheatre.org, or call 913-782-2990.

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