Following the success and acclaim of this summer’s She Persisted, The Musical, Farmers Alley Theatre is proud to be the very first regional theatre in the country to stage Addy & Uno.

Straight from off-Broadway, Addy & Uno is a delightful new puppet musical for kids of all ages and abilities. As Uno, a child with autism, faces the challenge of competing in his school’s math competition, his friends with varying disabilities — ADHD, visual, hearing, and physical impairment — rally in support. With expressive puppets from the original off-Broadway production and soaring music, Addy & Uno is a heartfelt and hilarious journey celebrating hope, big dreams, and the beauty of differences perfect for the entire family!

The production stars Kate Louise and Logan Awe as Addy and Uno, respectively, with a talented ensemble of puppeteers and performers that includes Sydney Harrison (Melody), Lane Breimhorst (Seemore), Faye Kennedy (Kelsey), Nadya Beyar (Sam/Cindy), and Luis Barbosa (Greg/Chip). Kailin Kenerly, who starred as Naomi in Farmers Alley’s production of She Persisted, The Musical, returns to our stage in the role of RJ.

This Michigan premiere production is directed by Shannon Hill, the former Artistic Director of Festival 56 in Illinois who has recently moved back to Kalamazoo. Shannon’s directing credits include Eurydice, Peter and the Starcatcher, and the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre’s recent production of Big Fish.

Shannon says, “I’m thrilled to be putting characters with disabilities and who are neurodiverse front and center, especially in a theatre for young audiences production. Too often, these characters are portrayed as tragic; however, Addy and Uno is a celebration! Everyone will find a character to which they can relate. Come sing, dance, and sign with us as we learn to love what makes us unique!”

Farmers Alley Theatre’s Executive Director Robert Weiner adds, “One of Farmers Alley’s key missions is to make the theatre a space where all are welcome and where audiences can see themselves represented onstage positively. To do that for young theatregoers is especially important as we foster the love for theatre at an early age. Addy & Uno is a wonderful musical that does just that — and not just for kids but for adults as well. We must never stop learning, growing and creating empathy within our community. Addy & Uno succeeds on that level and as an energetic, fun and colorful musical that will warm the hearts of all who attend.”

Originally produced by Tom and Michael D’Angora, this inspirational musical has never been performed outside of the New York area and Farmers Alley Theatre is honored to be the first regional theatre to do so. In the spirit of the production and as part of our commitment to increasing performing arts accessibility in Kalamazoo, the run of Addy & Uno includes an American Sign Language interpreted performance on October 28 at 11:00 am and a sensory-friendly performance on November 4 at 2:00pm. These two performances feature accommodations for deaf or hard of hearing audience members and patrons with sensory sensitivities, respectively.

Addy & Uno runs for two weekends from October 28 through November 5 with performances at 11:00am and 2:00pm on Saturdays and 2:00pm on Sundays. All tickets are $15. Tickets are available for purchase at www.farmersalleytheatre.com or by calling the Box Office at (269) 343-2727.

Addy & Uno is generously supported by Mrs O’s Preschool, Barbara Rider & Fred Sammons, Mickey McDonald & Tim Aaron, Laurel & Mike Scheidt, and Jack & Andy Hopkins, our season sponsor First National Bank of Michigan, and our Season 16 Equity Sponsor the Tyler Little Family Foundation. Additional support for sensory-friendly and ASL interpreted performances is provided by Theatre Kalamazoo and the Irving S Gilmore Foundation.