The Original Sci-fi/Fantasy Hero Returns to First Stage

Written by Jillian Toyad

Before Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, there was Meg Murry.

First Stage is excited for the return of Meg Murry since the 1999-2000 season production of A WRINKLE IN TIME. Long-time actor Mark Metcalf is the director of this imaginative play adapted by John Glore based on the popular children’s book by Madeleine L’Engle. A WRINKLE IN TIME, opening January 27, 2012, is the kick-off production for the second half of the 2011-2012 season.

A WRINKLE IN TIME tells the story of Meg Murry, a girl like no other! She is an outcast at school. Her father is missing. The town thinks her brother is some sort of freak. Meg Murry is angry at a world that makes no sense to her. But when a strange visitor arrives at her family’s home on a dark and stormy night, she embarks on a wild journey through space and time to rescue her father from the evil forces that hold him prisoner on another planet. This production is sure to propel your imagination on the journey of a lifetime.

Director Mark Metcalf is no stranger to First Stage. He previously appeared in First Stage productions of GOSSAMER, A CHRISTMAS STORY, MIDNIGHT CRY, HOLES, THE GIVER and others. Metcalf has appeared in numerous popular TV shows like Seinfeld and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, films like Animal House, and over a hundred plays over the course of 40 years.  This seasoned actor’s first fully paid job was, in fact, on the Todd Wehr stage with the REP as Tony Kirby in the 1971 production of YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU. We are thrilled to see what he has in store for us with this production!

We are pleased to introduce our talented cast of adult actors: Aaron Christensen as Father/Mrs. Which/Ensemble; Matt Daniels as Mrs. Whatsit/Man with Red Eyes/Ensemble; Erica Elam as Mother/Mrs. Who/Comazotz Woman/Ensemble; and Marcella Kearns as Foley Artist/Aunt Beast/Ensemble.

Young performers in the Space Cast are Erin Stapleton as Meg; James Mullooly as Charles Wallace; Nathan Kluge as Calvin; Spencer Tomich as Comazotz 1; Abby Hanna as Comazotz 2; Meguire Hennes as Comazotz 3; and Ella Frank as Comazotz 4.  The Time cast is made up of young performers Katherine Pollnow as Meg; John Fernandez as Charles Wallace; Maxwell Mainwood as Calvin; Luke Czerwinski as Comazotz 1; Lizzie Borg as Comazotz 2; Emily Harris as Comazotz 3; and Meghan Schaefer as Comazotz 4.

Madeleine L’Engle, the author of A WRINKLE IN TIME,  was inspired to write this children’s book after reading about Einstein’s theories of relativity and quantum mechanics, a concept that almost flaunts her frequent assertion that children’s literature is literature too difficult for adults to understand. Her vivid characters and imaginative storylines clearly glimpsed L’Engle’s passionate search for answers to questions that mattered most. She also believed that every child needed a hero like Meg Murry, her lead character. This book is a great read for the holidays! (Read more about author, Madeleine L’Engle in the NYTimes article)

Be sure to mark your calendars and ring in the new year with First Stage as A WRINKLE IN TIME comes to life on stage! The performance runs from January 27 through to February 19, 2012.

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Tickets for A WRINKLE IN TIME start at $13.  Tickets may be purchased at www.firststage.org or through the Marcus Center box office, in person at 929 N. Water Street in downtown Milwaukee or by phone (414) 273-7206 or toll free at (888) 612-3500.  The number for TDD (for deaf and hard of hearing patrons) is (414) 273-3080.