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The Coterie Brings Delightful, Best-Selling Children’s Book to Life!

Dragons Love Tacos, an Outdoor Show at Crown Center

June 22, 2021

This Summer, The Coterie transforms the beloved children’s book, Dragons Love Tacos, into a live outdoor celebration on stage for families with all ages. Featuring a cast of student actors from UMKC Theatre performing as 306 Theatre Troupe directed by Stephanie Roberts, Dragons Love Tacos will be performed outside for socially-distanced audiences under the canopy of Crown Center’s Entertainment Pavilion, June 30-August 8, 2021.

 

ABOUT THE PLAY

Adapted from the #1 New York Times bestselling phenomenon by Adam Rubin, Dragons Love Tacos tells the fun, funny, and charming story of a boy and his dog who are watching a television show about dragons when a mind-blowing secret is revealed: Dragons love tacos! Chicken tacos, beef tacos, great big tacos, teeny tiny tacos, all kinds of tacos. So, the boy and his dog throw a taco party to end all taco parties for a flock of dragons… but learn the fiery consequences of serving tacos with spicy jalapeño pepper salsa. This hilarious, dance-filled journey into the field of Dragonology is equal parts ridiculous and delicious and has all the ingredients for a fantastic time!

 

“It seems everyone loves the book Dragons Love Tacos. Parents often tell me it's a favorite for their kids to 'act out' at home, where the taco party bursts off the page. Now we are going to host a gigantic taco party on a huge outdoor stage at Crown Center!” explained Coterie Producing Artistic Director, Jeff Church. “To do this, The Coterie turned to UMKC Theatre, as part of a long-standing relationship with students and faculty there. So, when I learned this class was looking for a summer project that they could perform together as 306 Theatre Troupe, I knew immediately they would be perfect for Dragons Love Tacos. They are enormously talented, high energy, and have the dance skill and clown training to bring this hilarious show to the stage as a huge dance spectacle. We can’t wait for audiences to have the chance to join the party!”

 

Dragons Love Tacos presented by The Coterie will run approximately 50 minutes and is recommended for families of all ages. The Coterie is funded in part by Missouri Arts Council, ArtsKC Fund, Theater League, and Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund.

 

THE ARTISTS

The Coterie presents Dragons Love Tacos performed by 306 Theatre Troupe and directed by UMKC Associate Professor, Stephanie Roberts, and choreographed by Jenise Cook. The cast features Hieu Ngoc Bui (as Boy), Chelsea Rolfes (as Leroy), Michael T. Oakes (as Man in Suit), Eileen Dixon (as Red Dragon), Riley Lucas (as White Dragon), Caleigh Michnowicz (as Blue Dragon), and Jenise Cook (as Yellow Dragon). The artistic and production company also includes Jess Tibboles (stage manager), Jarrett Bertoncin (lighting & special effects designer), Georgianna Londré Buchanan (costume designer), David Kiehl (sound designer), Scott Hobart (technical director), Meg McSweeney (assistant stage manager), and Aidan Callaghan (production assistant).

 

OUTDOOR PERFORMANCES

Dragons Love Tacos will be performed live outside at the Entertainment Pavilion, under the canopy in Crown Center Square. Unlike past Coterie productions, seating is not General Admission. Instead, socially distanced seating area will be assigned, with at least 6 feet of space between groups. Once at Crown Center Square Entertainment Pavilion, we ask that everyone wear masks going to and from your seats. However, once in your seats, if you feel comfortable removing your mask, you may do so. Check in will be located at the Entertainment Pavilion, so there is no need to go to the Coterie Box Office beforehand. Check in will open 30 minutes before showtime. Detailed information about safety and ticketing information for patrons is available at www.thecoterie.org.

 

TICKET INFORMATION

Admission to Dragons Love Tacos is $12.00 for youth under 18, students, & seniors 60 and older; and $15.00 for adults. The Coterie offers groups of 20 or more a special preview rate of $5.50 per person the first week of each production. After preview week, groups pay only $6.00 - $8.00 per person depending on performance date. Purchase admission through The Coterie’s box office at 816.474.6552 or www.thecoterie.org.

 

THE COTERIE

The Coterie Theatre was designated by TIME magazine in the top three theaters for young audiences in Nov. 2004, calling it “groundbreaking... one of the nation’s most respected.” The Coterie, located in Kansas City, Missouri, has been at the forefront of commissioning new works or adaptations that contribute to the field of theatre for young audiences. More than 50 world or American premieres for all ages have been produced by The Coterie over the last 25 years, during Artistic Director Jeff Church’s tenure, including hosting multiple major Broadway composers and lyricists to shape quality musicals for youth and families. The Coterie is interested in intergenerational conversation, and consistently includes teen programming in its season and outreach efforts. The Coterie’s community programming redefines traditional notions of work for young audiences with its unique dramatic writing programs, teen LGBTQ work, as well as its AIDS/STD education/prevention program, free of charge to 8,000 teens per year, overseen by Executive Director Joette Pelster and a dedicated staff. All these components serve an average of 80,000 per year through over 350 performances. The Coterie Theatre School has drama class locations throughout greater Kansas City. Donate at www.thecoterie.org.

 

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Due to the nature of live theatre, play selection, performance schedule and casting are subject to change.