The Growing Stage: The Children’s Theatre of New Jersey is presenting Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl’s Baseball Dream weekends from February 14-23, 2025. It tells the spirited story of the Black girl who grew up to become “Toni Stone,” the first woman to play for an all-male professional baseball team.
Adapted from the book by Crystal Hubbard, Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl’s Baseball Dream has Book and Lyrics by Nichole Jackson and Music and Lyrics by Tyrone L. Robinson. The production is directed by Stephen L. Fredericks, TGS Founder/Executive Director with musical direction by Melinda Bass O’Neill and choreography by Cari Sanchez.
Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl’s Baseball Dream is a musical based on the children’s book of the same title written by Crystal Hubbard. It tells the story of Marcenia Lyle, a young, Black girl growing up in the 1930s who went on to become Toni Stone, the first female to play as a regular for an all-male professional baseball team.
The Growing Stage in Netcong is only the second theater company to perform this inspirational show, so Jersey Arts spoke with actor Nyah Anderson, who plays Marcenia Lyle, and Steve Fredericks, Growing Stage Founder/Executive Director and the show’s director, to hear more about their production.
Book and Lyrics by John Maclay
Music and Lyrics by Brett Ryback Based on the Arthur books series by Marc Brown
Cast Size: 7 (4M, 3W)
Run Time: 75 minutes
Big things are happening at Lakewood Elementary School! Mr. Ratburn’s class is asked to write and perform a big show for all of Elwood City. Everyone is so excited! Everyone, except for Arthur. What should he do? Arthur feels more nervous as the big performance gets closer and closer. With the help of his family and friends Buster, Brain, Francine, Muffy – and even little sister D.W. – Arthur learns the importance of being his best, unique self. All aboard for an incredibly fun ride with this world premiere musical!
Adapted by Scott Zenreich
Music by Patrick Emile From the book by Eric Kimmel
Run Time: 60 min
Cast Size: 2M + Ensemble
Ages 8+
In a small Russian village the presence of wicked goblins keeps the town from celebrating Hanukkah, until one man, Hershel of Ostropol, takes it upon himself to evict the mischievous residents from the haunted synagogue at the top of the hill. An original adaptation of the Caldecott honored book, HERSHEL AND THE HANUKKAH GOBLINS is a premiere holiday production with an original klezmer score, feats of puppetry, and stunning visual effects.
Written by Ernie Nolan Based on the book by Adam Rubin and illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
With optional music by Chris LaPorte
Cast Size: 7 (2M, 5AG) + 1 voice over
Estimated Run Time: 60 Min
Audience Recommendation:All Ages
You know what Dragons really love? Tacos of course! A boy and his dog are watching a TV show about dragons when they unexpectedly get caught up in the ‘Dos and Don’ts’ of what to serve to dragons to eat. Dragons love tacos, but if they accidentally eat spicy salsa…watch out!
Book & Lyrics by Tim J. Lord Music & Lyrics by Avi Amon Based on the short play by Tim J. Lord
Cast Size: Six (2W, 1M, 3AG)
Most enjoyed by ages 9+
Be brave and create a world that is better for everyone. One week ago, a massive flood wiped away most of Arcady, leaving behind only 14 year-old Artemis Sims and the town’s library. As she tries to find a way back to her Aunt Maggie’s house, she soon learns of a new danger-a committee determined to claim the town for themselves.
Book by Michelle Elliott Lyrics by Danny Larsen Music by Michelle Elliott and Danny Larsen
Cast: 3M, 1F
Runtime: 60 min
Ages: all
The amazing true story of the orphaned baby hippo and 130-year-old giant turtle whose remarkable friendship touched millions around the world.
The inspiring true story of two great friends, a baby hippo named Owen and a 130-yr-old giant tortoise named Mzee. When Owen was stranded after a tsunami, villagers in Kenya worked tirelessly to rescue him. Then, to everyone’s amazement, the orphan hippo and the elderly tortoise adopted each other. Now they are inseparable, swimming, eating, and playing together. Adorable photos e-mailed from friend to friend quickly made them worldwide celebrities. Here is a joyous reminder that in times of trouble, friendship is stronger than the differences that too often pull us apart.
Book and Lyrics by Psalmayene24 Music by Nick tha 1Da
Cast: 5 (2M, 3F)
Ages: 4+
Rapping to the Sky God, Zomo the Rabbit tells him that he wants the ultimate prize — power. Sky God gives him three tasks:
1) get the dance shoes of Big Fish at the DC Waterfront;
2) get the spray paint can from Wild Cow at the National Zoo;
3) get the turntable from DJ the Leopard in Adams Morgan.
Zomo succeeds in trickster fashion, but it’s only by sharing the prizes he’s won that he invents Hip-Hop, leading to a prize even better than power.
Commissioned by Oregon Children’s Theatre, Portland, OR
Kids will learn that even zombies need love! Mortimer is looking for love in all the usual places — like the gym (if only his arm would stop falling off) and the bus stop (too bad his chocolates were worm-filled). Nothing works. But when he takes out a newspaper ad to find a date to Cupid’s Ball, Mortimer is sure he’ll find the ghoul of his dreams waiting by the punch bowl. Haunting tunes and monster mash moves are sure to thrill audiences of all ages. It’s not easy being a brain-eating, graveyard-walking, bleeding-heart romantic, but this sweet story will make you believe in love after life.
Book by William F. Brown, Music and Lyrics by Charlie Smalls Additional material by Tina Tippit Based on “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum
Runtime: 75 min
Cast: 4F, 4M +variable size ensemble (10-20)
Ages: 6+
Originally produced by First Stage Children’s Theater, Milwaukee
Based on the original Tony Award winning Broadway musical, THE WIZ.
Book and Lyrics by Nick Meglin Music by Neil Berg
Runtime: Approximately 2 hours
Cast: 4F, 10M
Ages: 4+
Set more than a decade after the events of A Christmas Carol conclude. Tim (no longer Tiny) Cratchit approaches his 21st birthday. While away at university he has fallen in love with a beautiful orphan girl named Allison, but upon returning home also discovers he will soon assume management of the Scrooge and Marley Counting House. Tim, however, is more interested in being a teacher than a money manager, and signs away control of the business to two sleazy speculators, beginning a series of events that threatens to tear him away from his family and Allison unless the spirit of the long deceased Scrooge can help him set things right again.
