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.
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.
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.
Story by Geronimo StiltonCast Size: 9 (2W, 7M)
Runtime: 60 minutes
New Mouse City was in danger! An evil professor was threatening us all with his terrible inventions. The authorities called upon me, Geronimo Stilton, to thwart his plans by traveling on a top secret mission–to outer space! I was totally unprepared to go. But moldy mozzarella, my trip was out of this world!
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By Russell DavisBased on the story by Robert Louis Stevenson
Runtime: 60 min.
Cast: 3F, 2M
Ages: 11+
This high comedy deconstructs the themes of Stevenson’s classic horror novel using verbal wit, slapstick and clowning. A tiny touring theatre company attempts to tell the story of the infamous scientist who learns to split his good from his evil side; however they are sabotaged at every step by the director who suffers from his own inability to keep his morality straight. The three women in the company slowly take control of the story as they learn to take control of their lives.
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Originally commissioned by Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, St. Louis, MO (touring production, 1991-92); Sundance Playwrights Lab., Provo, UT (1992); Honolulu Theater For Youth, Honolulu, HI (touring production, 1999-2000); Off World Theatre, Puffin Cultural Forum, Teaneck, NJ (11/14-11/23/03); Cincinnati Playhouse in The Park, Cincinnati, OH (touring production, 2012-2013)
Original Sound and Projection Designs for the show (developed at Nashville Children’s Theatre) available to rent with the show license
The inspirational true story of an athlete turned civil rights trailblazer. When king of the boards” Perry Wallace is recruited and accepted to Vanderbilt, his future not only changes, the country’s changes as well. Wallace makes history as the first African American to play college basketball in the deeply segregated Southeastern Conference. But how do you do something you love while surrounded by hate? This powerful world premiere based on the New York Times bestseller is a portrait of fortitude, portraying how Wallace met unthinkable challenges head on.
By John Maclay and Joe Foust
Cast size: 13+ with potential doubling
Run time: 70 minutes
Ages: 6 +
A funny, frolicking, fresh look at the timeless tale of the legendary hero Robin Hood. When Robin, LittleJohn and Friar Tuck are captured, it falls to Marian and the Merry Men-in-training to come to the rescue. Full of swashbuckling adventure, breathtaking daring-do,and laughs aplenty, this new take on a classic tale is suitable for the entire family.
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By Lynne Alvarez
Runtime: 60 min.
Cast: 3F, 5M
Ages: High School
Commissioned/Produced by ACT’s Young Conservatory
Published in Best Plays by Women in 1994, Smith & Kraus, 1994.
The separate quests of a young New York street poet seeking fame and fortune and a wealthy entrepreneur who will stop at nothing to find his son who committed suicide nineteen years ago collide with astrological proportions, helped by a mystical and androgynous couple.
REINCARNATION OF JAIME BROWN Perusal Sample
By Sarah BierstockBased on the myth of Pandora’s Box
Runtime: 50 minutes
Cast: 2-9 actors
Ages: 7-12
Pandora is Seriously Curious about all things Global Warming. When the kids at school call her Teacher’s Pet one too many times, she decides to try out life at dad’s house, and enrolls in the gifted and talented school, Smarty Pants Elementary. She just has this one, Exceptionally Important Scientific Experiment she must complete before leaving. It involves a large suitcase she lugs around with her. What could be inside there?? And why is she dragging it to the river?
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Adapted by Ernie Nolan
Based on the book by Beatrice Karp and Deborah Pappenheimer
Cast: 1 to 4m., 2 to 4w
Adapted from the eponymous memoir of Beatrice Karp which includes detailed descriptions of events surrounding her history: life before the WWII, deportation of her family, on to concentration camps, rescue by the French OSE, being hidden in convents and her eventual settlement in the United States.
