Seattle Children`S Theater: 20 Years Of Entertainment

Last night, Seattle Children's Theatre opened its 20th anniversary season with the world premiere of "Sara Crewe" by R.N. Sandberg.

"Sara Crewe" is about a well-traveled little girl, whose father leaves her at Miss Minchen's School for select girls while he goes off to India with the British Army.

At first, Miss Minchen treats Sara like a little princess until tragedy strikes; her father dies and leaves her penniless. Sara is reduced to a servant with only her imagination to help her get by.

"For our 20th anniversary, we wanted to have a mix of classic and new plays. We hope that kids walk out of each play with a feeling that they just saw something special," says Tom Pechar, managing director of the theatre.

The plays adapted from classic children's books include the world premieres of "Sara Crewe," based on the book by Frances Hodgson Burnett, and the film "The Little Princess," starring Shirley Temple; "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engle, adapted by Edward Mast; and "Winnie the Pooh," by Deborah Lynn Frockt, based on the stories by A.A. Milne.

The original new plays include "The Yellow Boat" by David Saar; the world premiere of "The Portrait, The Wind and The Chair," written especially for Seattle Children's Theatre by Y York; and "Little Rock," a world premiere musical written by Kermit Frazier.

"If there is a common thread throughout this year's selections, it is that there is hope for young people," says Pechar. "If you hold out and keep working, everything will turn out fine."

This is the second year the theatre will make its home in the Charlotte Martin Theatre at Seattle Center. "We are very excited about our new theater," says Pechar. "We are able to be more creative with play choices, lighting and sound. It's a good, happy place to be."

"Sara Crewe" will run through Oct. 29. To order tickets, $10 for children, students with ID and senior citizens, $16 for adults, call 441-3322.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN? 1. What anniversary is the Seattle Children's Theatre celebrating this year? 2. What is the name of the play that opened last night? 3. Where is the home of the Seattle Children's Theatre?