Season Details

The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Favourites

Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia
Wednesday, March 24, 2010 • 12:15 p.m.                                       After much demand, that little caterpillar is returning, along with an assortment of other Eric Carle favorites, The Mixed-Up Chameleon and The Little Cloud. Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia combines “black light” theater, puppetry, delightful music, and special effects with a post-performance demonstration and a Q&A session. Audience members meet the puppeteers to learn more about the magic of theater.
All seats: $7
Performance Length: One Hour with Q&A
Recommended: Pre-K - Grade 2
Curriculum: Art, Language Arts, Music, Math, Science
 

Much Ado About Nothing

National Players
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
10 - 11:30 a.m.
One of Shakespeare’s best loved romantic comedies, Much Ado About Nothing is a story of two couples — one totally devoted to each other, the other always locking horns and seemingly immune to love’s charms. National Players’ fast-moving performance is filled with friendship, betrayal, mistaken identity, hilarious antics and the power of love.
National Players make Shakespeare classics accessible to young audiences. Grade levels are not suggested as this abbreviated version, which still contains original Shakespearean language, may be appropriate for well-prepared younger audiences.
All seats: $9
Performance Length: 90 minutes
Curriculum: Drama, Language Arts, Literature

TheaterVision Day: Backstage with the National Players

Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Several interactive sessions are presented by the National Players cast in this favorite Theater Vision Day offering. Students see Much Ado About Nothing, eat their packed lunches in the Franciscan Center Commons, and then explore behind the scenes with the multi-talented National Players cast. Includes an onstage/backstage tour, background about the life and training of actors, a “hands on” demonstration of stage movement and combat and an interactive improvisation session.
Cost: $12 includes ticket price and the TV Day presentation.
Time: 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Nobody’s Perfect

Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences on Tour and *VSA Arts
Tuesday, April 13, 2010   
10 a.m. & 12:15 p.m.
Based on the children’s book by Oscar winner Marlee Matlin, Nobody’s Perfect is the story of two fourth graders. Megan thinks that new student Alexis is practically perfect and has it all — beauty, brains and athletic skill. Though Megan tries to be nice to her, Alexis is anything but friendly, making Megan wonder, “Does she not like me because I’m deaf?” When they’re forced to collaborate on a science project, Megan discovers Alexis’ secret.
This exciting new musical — performed simultaneously in spoken English and American Sign Language — is an important reminder that despite first impressions, nobody’s perfect.

All seats: $7
Performance Length: One Hour
Recommended: Grades 2 - 5
Curriculum: Character Education, Language Arts, Social Studies
 

TheaterVision Day presented by Derek Mortland of *Very Special Arts Ohio: Positively Perfect: Communicating through the Arts

Tuesday, April 13, 2010
This unique TV Day, presented by Derek Mortland from Very Special Arts Ohio, emphasizes the importance of communication and explores ways in which everyone can improve their communication skills. Participants see a performance of Nobody’s Perfect, eat their packed lunches in the Commons and enjoy a fast-paced, 75-minute presentation in which students (1) explore the challenges and accomplishments of the Deaf culture, (2) develop better nonverbal communication skills through theater exercises, (3) learn some American Sign Language and (4) create their own simple sign language songs. Reserve early: space limited.

*VSA arts, an affiliate of the Kennedy Center, is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1974 to create a society where people with disabilities learn through, participate in, and enjoy the arts. VSA provides educators, parents and artists with resources and the tools to support arts programming in schools and communities.

Cost: $11 includes ticket price and the TV Day presentation.
Time: 10 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Grades: 3 - 4 

Stellaluna

Kids’ Entertainment
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
10 a.m.

This charming Reading Rainbow favorite uses puppets, narration and music to tell the story of a baby bat named Stellaluna. Life is flitting along on schedule until one night an owl attacks Stellaluna’s mother and knocks the batlet out of her mother’s loving grasp. When she is adopted by a family of birds, Stellaluna learns to behave like a bird, but she finally shows her bird siblings what life as a bat is really about. Anyone who has been asked to be someone they’re not will understand the conflicts — and possibilities — Stellaluna faces.
All seats: $7
Performance Length: One Hour
Recommended: K - Grade 2
Curriculum: Science, Language Arts, Puppetry, Music

Andrew Clement’s Frindle

Griffin Theater Company
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
10 a.m. & 12:15 p.m.
In this quirky, imaginative tale about creative thought and the power of words, fifth grader Nick Allen’s “creativity” takes an unusual turn. Influenced by a language arts teacher who is a fanatic about the dictionary, Nick learns about words and where they come from and hatches his greatest plan — to invent a new word. From now on, a pen is no longer a pen; it’s a “Frindle.” Soon “Frindle” takes root and spreads uncontrollably beyond Nick’s school and town. “Frindle is…about discovering the true nature of words, language, thought, community and learning. It’s also about great teaching and great teachers and about the life that surges through corridors and classrooms every school day.”
~ Andrew Clements, author
All seats: $7
Performance Length: One Hour
Recommended: Grades 3 - 6
Curriculum: Language Arts, Literature
 

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type

TheatreworksUSA
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
10 a.m. & 12:15 p.m.
“Cows that type? Hens on strike!” All day long Farmer Brown hears “click clack moo, clickety clackety moo…” The cows are typing and protesting their working conditions! A hilariously “moo-ving” new musical about compromise, based on the Caldecott Honor-winning book.
All seats: $7
Performance Length: One Hour
Recommended: Pre-K - Grade 2
Curriculum: Language Arts, Music, Science
   

The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere

TheatreworksUSA
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
10 a.m.  only

A favorite returns! The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere tells the famous story of a humble silversmith caught up in the uncertainty and fears of the American Revolution and the War for Independence. Under pressure from revolutionary friends John Hancock and Samuel Adams, Revere must decide whether to join the Sons of Liberty and take a stand against British tyranny. Young audiences are enthralled as events unfold and Revere faces a choice
between what is easy and what seems right. The thrilling portrayal of a
pivotal moment in American history combines music, drama and humor.
All seats: $7
Performance Length: One Hour
Recommended: Grades 4 - 8
Curriculum: American History, Social Studies, Language Arts

TheaterVision Day presented by Bob Ford and The Elixir Trio: Music of Our Forefathers: Songs & Stories from America’s History

Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Expand students’ theater experience and enhance their understanding and appreciation of American history through our country’s music and folklore. Participants see a performance of The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, eat their packed lunches in the Commons and enjoy a 2-part presentation by Bob Ford and the Elixir Trio, These professional performer/educators bring to life songs and stories from America’s 18th and 19th centuries and lead students in music and rhythm activities. Reserve early: space limited.
Cost: $11 includes ticket price and the TV Day presentation.
Time: 10 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Grades 4 - 8 

A Jigsaw Jones Mystery:The Case of the Class Clown

Arts Power
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
10 a.m. & 12:15 p.m.
Athena Lorenzo is slimed and she does not appreciate the practical joke. It is up to Theodore “Jigsaw” Jones, who claims to be the very first detective in the school, and his friend Mila to investigate the sliming and track down the second grade class clown. Brimming with music, charm and humor, this new production, based on James Preller’s famous book, will make audiences laugh as they learn the secret codes that Jigsaw must decipher to solve the mystery.
All seats: $7
Performance Length: One Hour
Recommended: Grades 1 - 4
Curriculum: Language Arts, Music, Science

Freedom Train: The Story of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad

TheatreworksUSA
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
10 a.m. & 12:15 p.m.

Freedom Train tells the thrilling story of Harriet Tubman, the “Moses of her people.” Born a slave, Harriet was 25 when she made her perilous escape from a Maryland plantation in her first of many journeys on the Underground Railroad. Freedom Train uses a series of highly theatrical scenes that include dance, dialogue and music of the period. This stirring work celebrates the approach of Black History Month by telling a story of self-sacrifice, dedication and survival, laced with warmth and a sense of humor that celebrates the human spirit.
All seats: $7
Performance Length: One Hour
Recommended: Grades 5 - 10
Curriculum: American History, Social Studies, Music
 

TheaterVision Day presented by The Elixir Trio:
Music and Stories of the Underground Railroad and Civil War Era

Tuesday, January 26, 2010
A vital period of our country’s history is portrayed through American music and folklore, as Ohio’s Elixir Trio, professional performer/educators, bring to life songs and stories from America’s Civil War era, with an emphasis on the Underground Railroad. Participants see a performance of Freedom Train, eat their packed lunches in the Commons and enjoy a fast-paced, 75-minute presentation during which they participate in music and rhythm activities. Reserve early: space limited.
Cost: $11 includes ticket price and the TV Day presentation.
Time: 10 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Grades: 4 - 8  

TheaterVision Day with the Lourdes Life Lab:
Simply Science with the Very Hungry Caterpillar

SOLD OUT

Tuesday, February 9 only
Linda, Marge and the Life Lab Crew present an exciting Life Cycle Science Session that links storytelling and language arts with concept-rich science experiences for fun-filled “whole child” learning. Participants eat their packed lunches in the Commons area. Reserve early; space limited.
Cost: $10.50 includes ticket price and the TV Day presentation.
Time: 10 a.m. & 1:15 p.m.
Grades: 1 & 2 only

CSI: Live! NEW Performance Added!