Join Johnny Appleseed (Avery Stephens), Dylan Wright (Grampa), and Charlotte Ball (Apple Seed) for some sweet family theatre fun!
Cultivating the new show, “Johnny Appleseed,” from seed to blossom has proven to be extra sweet and delicious undertaking for the Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT). The world premiere performances take place at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15 and 3 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16 at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts in Missoula.
MCT’s story explores the fascinating history of John Chapman, who was gently determined to make friends with all creatures, and to plant apple trees throughout the Ohio River Valley. In MCT’s version, his travels with his faithful Apple Seed buddies yield happy songs, unexpected friendships, and endless orchards of juicy, crispy apples to nourish tummies across the land. The tale of Johnny Appleseed is a sweet reminder that kindness is at the core of a happy life.
Enhancing the world premiere of “Johnny Appleseed” is the announcement of Cosmic Crisp® as the show sponsor. Cosmic Crisp® is a brand-new apple, more than 20 years in development at Washington State University, that will be grocery stores across America later this year. Samples of the Cosmic Crisp® will be available for audience members to enjoy, courtesy of Proprietary Variety Management (PVM), the powerhouse team that made the ever-popular Pink Lady® apple a household name.
Kathryn Grandy, director of marketing for PVM, is thrilled to help navigate the largest consumer launch in apple history, with the MCT sponsorship. “Johnny Appleseed was passionate about apples and had a love for farming. While he became a legend in the folklore of America, he was a real man with big dreams,” she says. “This same type of dream describes the journey of the Cosmic Crisp® Apple. We find it fitting to sponsor the world premiere and the 2019-2020 national tour of MCT’s Johnny Appleseed.”
According to MCT, the play offers “a refreshing apple-tunity to enjoy some family-friendly fun with those you love! Where else will you see a wolf and bison singing and dancing together in a kick line?”
Tickets are available at MCTinc.org; by calling 406-728-7529; or at MCT’s Box Office.