by kellie abrahamson kabrahamson1@aol.com
Last year, after my daughter had her very first field trip, I decided to have a Mommy/Son day with my youngest, who still had a couple of years to wait before his first school sponsored excursion. On a dreary Thursday morning in January my son and I went to a Theatreworks production of Rip Van Winkle. I’ll never forget the look on his face when the curtain went up and the fairytale, one I’d read to him once or twice before hand, came to life on that stage. I’d never seen my two-year-old so still before. He sat there in an awed silence throughout the entire show, eyes glued to the spectacle that was taking place feet from where we sat. It’s been a year now, almost to the day, and he still brings up Rip Van Winkle every now and then.
My kids have seen plenty of movies and watch probably way too much TV but the live theatre they’ve experienced has stayed with them long after episodes of SpongeBob have exited their memories. Because so many of these shows have a terrific message and teach valuable life lessons, I’m thrilled that my kids are retaining them. As a theatre lover, their enthusiasm for the stage gives me a lot of hope for the future of the art form.
This year brings many shows for families to area stages. From literary classics like Little Women at the Thrasher-Horne to contemporary kid’s favorites like If You Give a Mouse a Cookie & Other Stories from Theatreworks, from real life animal encounters with Jungle Jack Hanna courtesy of FCCJ Artist Series to a Zoorchestra of musical animals by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, there’s something coming up for everyone. Educate and inspire your children by taking your family to see one of these fine shows this year.
Now through April at 10 am
The classic fairytale comes to life at the Alhambra Dinner Theatre. Watch as the daring sibling duo outwits a wicked witch and saves the day. This show is designed for younger children. Info: (904) 641-1212 or alhambradinnertheatre.com/new_school.htm. Location: Alhambra Dinner Theatre. See our listing of musicals for other family-friendly performances at Alhambra!
February 16, at 7:30 pm
Through his nationally syndicated television show Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures, and hundreds of talk show appearances. Jungle Jack’s stage show features many of his favorite animal friends, as well as fascinating and humorous stories and footage from his adventures around the world. Info: (904) 632-3373 or artistseries.fccj.org Tickets: $25.50-$42.50. Location: Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts
February 16, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Kids will flip for the Fred Garbo Inflatable Theater Co. Massive blow-up shapes walk, wiggle and shake right before their eyes as hosts Fred Garbo and Daielma Santos take them through this puffy world of color and imagination. Info: (904) 355-2787 Tickets: $12.50-$20. Location: The Florida Theatre
Tuesday, February 26, at 10 am and 12 pm
Enormous puppets populate the stage, including your host Willie Mammoth, Smiley the Saber-Toothed Tiger, Bessie the 22-foot long Apatosaurus, Tony and Trixie Triceratops, Terry the Pterodactyl, and the 11-foot tall T. Rex in a musical trip through pre-history. Info: (904) 353-3500 or theatreworksjax.com Tickets: $7. Location: The Florida Theatre
March 3, at 10 am and 12 pm
In 1996, Buffalo Soldier was one of twelve plays selected as the Best American Plays for Young American History Month. Info: (904) 353-3500 or theatreworksjax.com Tickets: $7. Location: The Florida Theatre
March 8, at 8 pm
The Jacksonville Children’s Chorus and the African Children’s Choir will come together for a unique concert experience. The visiting choir is composed of 21 children from Uganda. Through their music, these talented kids show the world that Africa’s most needy and vulnerable children have beauty, dignity and unlimited ability. Info: jaxchildrenschorus.com Location: Times Union Center for the Performing Arts
March 9, at 5 pm
Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra Spring Concert, one of the most comprehensive music training programs in the Southeast, will show off their skills at this year’s Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra Spring Concert. Info: (904) 354-5547 or jaxsymphony.org. Location: Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts
Sunday, March 16, at 3 pm
Through humorous narration and the clever use of orchestra instruments, kids of all ages will be transported to the zoo without ever leaving their seats. Arrive early (2 pm) to enjoy pre-concert “warm up” activities that allow children to learn more about instruments through fun projects and exercises. Info: (904) 354-5547 or jaxsymphony.org Tickets: $7. Location: Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts
March 29, at 3 pm
Bits N’ Pieces Puppet Theatre presents Cinderella and the Chinese Slipper The incredibly talented performers and puppeteers at Bits ‘N Pieces Puppet Theatre are bringing their larger than life version of Cinderella back to the First Coast this year. Info: (904) 276-6815 or thcenter.org. Location: 283 College Dr.
March 30, at 7:30 pm
This show is so much more than a bunch of people banging on drums. Jigu! Thunder Drums of China is a fascinating, high-energy show where 28 drummers, percussionists and musicians from China’s Shanxi province perform traditional and modern pieces with jaw-dropping skill. Info: (904) 355-2787. Location: The Florida Theatre, 128 East Forsyth Street Downtown Jacksonville
April 1, 2008 at 10:30 am and 7:30 pm
William Shakespeare’s final play The Tempest will come to life when New York’s The Acting Company takes to UNF’s stage in April. High school students will enjoy this classic tale of romance, betrayal and revenge set on a mysterious island. Info: (904) 620-1898 Tickets: $5 (school matinee only)-$28. Location: Lazzara Performance Hall, UNF Fine Arts Center
April 9, 2008 at 10 am and 12 pm
Based on the classic story by Mark Twain, young Tom Sawyer and his buddy Huckleberry Finn go on countless adventures from simply whitewashing a fence to hunting for gold to attending their own funerals. The mischievous twosome has a lot of fun but also learn important lessons along the way. Info: (904) 353-3500 or theatreworksjax.com Tickets: $7. Location: Lazzara Performance Hall, UNF Fine Arts Center
April 13, 2008 at 4 pm
Marc Brown’s award-winning book series and television show takes to the stage this spring. Arthur, DW, Buster, Brain and Francine will all be there to teach kids the importance of teamwork and being a kid through funny stories and toe-tapping tunes. Info: (904) 471-1965 or staugamphitheatre.com Tickets: $10-$25. Location: St. Augustine Amphitheatre
April 20, 2008 at 3 pm and Apr 21, 2008 at 9:30 am and 11:30 am
Arnold Lobel’s award-winning children’s book leaps off the page and onto the stage in this Tony Award-nominated musical. Info: (904) 620-1895 Tickets: $5 (school matinee only)-$18. Location: Lazzara Performance Hall, UNF Fine Arts Center
April 20 at 2:30 pm
The First Coast Wind Ensemble teams up with the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus to present a concert for the whole family. Bring the kids! Adults: $10, seniors, students, and military: $5, JU Students: Free. Info: (904) 256-7345 Location: Terry Concert Hall on Jacksonville University’s campus in Arlington (2800 University Blvd N).
April 24, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Kids as young as six perform daring feats at the Russian American Kids Circus. This professional circus has been wowing audiences for 12 years with their acrobatics, tightrope walking, unicycling, juggling and balancing acts, all by children ages 6 to 16. Info: (904) 355-2787 Tickets: $12.50-$20. Location: The Florida Theatre
April 24, 2008 at 10 am and 12 pm
Fish Face, a book in two-time Newbery Honor-winning author Patricia Reilly Giff’s series Kids of the Polk Street School, comes to life in this musical tale of new kids, missing unicorns and one girl’s quest for perfection. Through charming characters and a sweet story, kids will learn about honesty, true friendship and growing up. Info: (904) 353-3500 or theatreworksjax.com Tickets: $7. Location: The Florida Theatre, 128 East Forsyth Street Downtown Jacksonville
May 8, 2008 at 10 am and 12 pm
In If You Give a Mouse a Cookie & Other Stories you get seven delightful plays in one. Kids will see some of their favorite books go from the page to the stage with the help of six talented actors. Info: (904) 353-3500 or theatreworksjax.com Tickets: $6. Location: The Florida Theatre
May 8, 2008 at 9:30 am and 11:30
Based on a wealth of compelling stories of real-life children who fought the Civil War, Battledrum explores a complex period in American history through the eyes of young people who found themselves on the front lines of combat in the middle of smoke-filled battlefields. Info: (904) 353-3500 or theatreworksjax.com Tickets: $6. Location: Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, St Augustine
May 9, 2008 at 8 pm
The Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra Philharmonic, Repertory and Premiere Strings orchestras and the Jacksonville Symphony come together for this annual showcase performance that’s always a fan favorite. Info: (904) 354-5547 or jaxsymphony.org Tickets: $8.50. Location: Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts
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