Children's Theatre Presents 'Fashion 47'

The Children's Theatre Company will present 'Fashion 47' running from September 28 to October 21, 2007. It is most enjoyed by ages 13+. CTC's first 2007-2008 production on the Cargill Stage ctc4teens is Fashion 47, a world premiere by Diane Paulus and Randy Weiner and directed by Diane Paulus.

The production has set and costume design by Anka Lupes, lighting design by Randy Weiner, choreography by Michael Matthew Ferrell, sound design by Sean Healey, and stage managed by Erin Tatge.

Fashion 47 is an experience. The energy and electricity of the final taping of a reality TV show spills out into the Cargill Lobby as the audience is instantly swept up into the media frenzy that accompanies such events. All that one would expect of such a trumped up cause celebre will be in evidence - the red carpet, models mingling, designers shaking hands and the not-so-subtle maneuvering by all in attendance to attract the paparazzi and the tabloid TV journalists.

Of the 47 original designers chosen for the competition, only two remain in contention for the highly heralded, if also meaningless, title. Yes, audience members can dial in their votes, but it's the judges who will finally decide. In the fickle world of fashion, however, everything is not what it seems. Betrayal revenge and loyalty, much like the ancient tale of the 47 Ronin, take center stage. This pop culture satire both embraces and pokes fun at the extremes of contemporary culture - supermodels as superheroes, big business as the big bad guys, and the surprising truths hidden behind the fake facade of reality TV.

The acting ensemble consists of 23 student actors from throughout the metro area ranging in age from 14-18, CTC performing apprentices Traci M. Allen and Megan Jacoby (understudy) and CTC resident acting company member Marvette Knight.

Diane Paulus is a highly acclaimed director of theater and opera. She is the creator and director of The Donkey Show, a disco adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream which ran for six years Off-Broadway, and toured internationally to London, Edinburgh, Madrid, and Evian, France. Her recent work includes Best of Both Worlds, a gospel/r&b adaptation of A Winter's Tale produced Off-Broadway by Music-Theatre Group and The Women's Project; and The Karaoke Show, an adaptation of Comedy of Errors set in a karaoke bar, produced by Jordan Roth Productions. Also for Music-Theatre Group, she directed the Obie Award-winning and Pulitzer Prize finalist Running Man by jazz composer Diedre Murray and poet Cornelius Eady. -- www.childrenstheatre.org

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