Our Mission
We produce theatre and theatre education in Tucson that entertains, educates, and enlightens children, adults, and families.

Live Theatre Workshop
5317 E Speedway Blvd
• Tucson, AZ 85712
Reservations: (520) 327-4242
• livetheatreworkshop@gmail.com

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LTW's Family Theatre - THE 2019-2020 SEASON

Live Theatre Workshop presents five plays in the new 2019-2020 season — four shows from local playwrights and musicians, and “Tilly the Trickster” from Saturday Night Live’s Molly Shannon. The shows run on Sunday afternoons at Live Theatre Workshop. Season ticket packages and individual tickets can be purchased by calling (520) 327-4242. Single show tickets can also be purchased online.

In addition to runs on-site at our theatre, two of shows go on the road to schools throughout Tucson.
Learn more about performance field trips

“For many years, our Family Series has allowed us to deepen our connection to kids and families,” says Director of Children’s Programming Amanda Gremel. “Kids are introduced to and learn to love theatre through this program, and many continue on to take LTW classes and even advance to performing in these shows."

 

Tabitha Turnpike Has a MONSTERous Problem

An original musical story by Richard Gremel and music by David Ragland

June 30 – August 11, 2019
no show July 21

Sunday afternoons at 12:30 PM

Tabitha Turnpike is a little girl with a big imagination. But when her imagination gets her in trouble with her mom and dad, they insist that she quit being creative and grow up. Only problem is, Tabitha discovers a monster living under her bed and she can’t tell her mom and dad about it, because they will think she’s using her imagination again. Her monster has problems of his own. So the two team up and travel to Underthebedland to use their creativity and prove that all of us, monsters and humans, are great despite of our differences.

 

Pinocchio: The Legend of the Wooden Boy

An original musical adaptation by Tyler West and music by Michael Martinez

September 8 - October 20, 2019
no show September 29

Sunday afternoons at 12:30 PM

This is a new adaptation based on the beloved characters from Carlo Collodi’s “Pinocchio: The Adventures of a Marionette.” Watch as three players set up their stage and tell the legend of the wooden puppet who came to life. With the help of masks, costumes, and shadow puppetry they will portray over a dozen of characters; like Geppetto, Pinocchio, The Cricket, The Fox, The Cat, The Blue Fairy, and many more!

 

Molly Shannon’s
Tilly the Trickster

Book by Jeremy Dobrish
Music and Lyrics by Drew Fornarola
Based on the book by Molly Shannon
Orchestrations by David Abbinanti

November 29 – December 28, 2019

Fri/Sat nights at 7 PM and Sat/Sun afternoons at 3 PM

Tilly is a mischievous girl who loves nothing more than causing a little trouble. From leaking cups to toothpaste-flavored cookies, Tilly has a trick for everyone: her mom, dad, brother, classmates, and even her teacher. But when the tables are turned and her family does some scheming of its own, will Tilly decide to change her trickster ways? Molly Shannon has created numerous unforgettable characters on Saturday Night Live and in movies such as SUPERSTAR and NEVER BEEN KISSED and now introduces young readers to her latest hilarious creation, TILLY THE TRICKSTER, the musical! Fun for all ages, this is a show you and your family won’t want to miss. Starring Samantha Cormier as Tilly!

 

Mona Lisa on the Loose

An original musical story by Gretchen Wirges with music by David Ragland

January 26 – March 8, 2020
No show February 16

Sunday afternoons at 12:30 PM

The Mona Lisa has hung on the walls of an art museum for over 100 years. But what visitors don't know is that when the lights go out, the paintings come to life! On this day, she overhears the museum officials saying she is no longer drawing people in, and make plans to move her somewhere else. Come join us for a secret view into the mysterious life of the Mona Lisa and other paintings after hours as she plots a way to save her spot on the walls of the Louvre!

 

The Old Ball Game

An original musical story by Kristian Kissel with music by Michael Martinez

April 19 – May 31, 2020
No show May 10

Sunday afternoons at 12:30 PM

Forrest Foster LOVES baseball. He comes by it honestly - his Dad played, his Grandfather played, his Great-Grandfather played, his… well, you get the idea. The only problem is that Forrest can’t seem to get into the game yet. But when his little league team’s star player gets injured, his coach just might have to look to the end of the bench and give Forrest his chance. He’s spent countless hours studying the game, its history, its players, and his own opponents. Now he’ll need to take everything he’s learned and put it to use to try to lift his team to victory - all for the love of the old ball game!

 

Titles and dates subject to change. For more information call (520) 327-0160 or email amanda.g@livetheatreworkshop.org

 

About LTW's Family Series

Our Family Theatre program deepens our connection to kids and families by offering interactive musical theatre performances at Live Theatre Workshop and in more than 15 schools across the city. These performances have become a tradition for Tucson families. Kids are introduced to and learn to love theatre through this program, and many continue on to take LTW classes and even advance to become performers in these shows themselves.

 

Family Theatre Writers

Click on pictures to read biographies of some of the writers of LTW Family Series plays.

 

Stephen Frankenfield has been writing for LTW’s Family Series for more than six years. His 20+ plays had their debut in Tucson; favorites include “The Rootin’ Tootin’ Tale of Little Red Riding Boots” and “The Great Zantini and the Magic Thief”. He has five published plays with Heuer Publishing and Pioneer Drama Services, which have been performed across the United States, China, Canada, and South Africa. Stephen is the Assistant Director of Children’s Programming at Live Theatre Workshop, where many of his plays have been performed. He also has acted and director for LTW for more 15 years. He is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York City, where he studied for theatre and film. Steph has two amazing boys who also frequently perform on the LTW stage.
Stephen Frankenfield
Richard Gremel has been writing for the LTW Family Series for more than 12 years. He has written 30+ plays that have been performed in the Tucson area. His favorites include “Robin Hood and His Merry Men,” Not Your Average Zombie Apocalypse,” “The Mysterious Murder at Manchester Manor,” and “RAPunzel: A Hip-Hop Musical.” Richard also performs and directs many of the shows on the LTW Family Series stage. He has nine published plays with Heuer and Brooklyn Publishing that have been produced in schools and theatre companies all over the United States, Canada, India, Australia, England, and Hong Kong. Richard is the acting and technical theatre teacher at Empire High School in Tucson, where his students have performed several of his original full-length productions
Richard Gremel
Kris Kissel is the theatre teacher at Sabino High School, where he also sponsors the Sabino Improv Club, serves as the Fine Arts Department Chair, is the AIA Theatre South Region Director, and is a member of the Arizona Thespians State Board. He is the author of four published plays, three of which premiered at Live Theatre Workshop. He holds a BFA in Theatre Education from the University of Arizona and a master’s degree in Theatrical Production & Design from Southern Oregon University. He has lived in Tucson for most of his life, and calls the city home with his wife and two boys. He loves working with Live Theatre Workshop, where he has taught, written, directed and acted.
Kris Kissel
Tyler West recently moved to New York City from Tucson. He does some work as a physical comedian and actor. His one-man solo physical comedy show "The Wait" has won several awards across the nation and internationally. Live Theatre Workshop will always have a special place in his heart, and it's his pleasure to continue writing and being a part of the Family Series.
Tyler West
Gretchen Wirges has been acting, directing and writing for Tucson stages for nearly 10 years. As a playwright, her works have been featured in local festivals and theaters, including the Old Pueblo Playwrights New Play Festival. Gretchen is also an accomplished improv teacher and performer. She spent four years on stage with Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed and now performs around the country with her long-form improv duo Ex-Boyfriend. She is the President of the Tucson Fringe Festival Board and writes for the feminist-oriented theater review site Taming of the Review.
Gretchen Wirges
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