6/30/2022
Family Programming
Enjoying live theater performances together can give families memories they will cherish for years. And all the better, if the productions offer whimsical stories with impactful lessons about positive thinking, kindness and empathy.
The Smith Center offers a full season of family productions in upcoming months that provide exactly this heartwarming and enriching experience. With shows that bring literary characters to life, as well as Broadway classics that introduce younger generations to theater, these productions will thrill audiences of all ages.
Read below about the delightful family shows headed to The Smith Center’s stage.
Paddington Gets In a Jam – 60 minutes, November 9
Endlessly kind and polite, Paddington the bear has entertained children with his accident-prone adventures since author Michael Bond first published a book about him in 1958. This started a series that now spans 28 popular books, and further spawned a children’s television series and two live-action films.
Now for the first time, audiences can experience Paddington in person, in this hilarious and endearing show that brings the blue-coated bear to life with dazzling puppetry.
“Paddington is a wonderful character — always friendly, polite and eager to be of use to others,” says Jonathan Rockefeller, the show’s creator and director. “If you’ve read the books or seen the movies, you know you are in for all sorts of messy, sticky and hilarious predicaments.”
Portraying Paddington as he volunteers to help his neighbor with chores that go wrong, the show delivers nonstop laughs alongside a meaningful message of kindness and looking on the bright side.
“Sometimes, well often, things don’t go quite to plan, but Paddington is always well-intended, and a little kindness can go a very long way,” Rockefeller says.
As a nonprofit, The Smith Center offers ticket prices from $14.95 for this show.
Annie – November 22 to 27
The character of Little Orphan Annie harkens back a whole century to the 1920s, when illustrator Harold Gray depicted the spunky red head in a comic strip that ran for decades.
When lyricist-director Martin Charnin adapted this inspiring character’s story into a Broadway musical, he made theater history.
Thanks to the production’s uplifting themes and iconic songs like “Tomorrow,” “It’s a Hard Knock Life” and “Easy Street,” the musical earned seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Choreography.
Now Director Jenn Thompson, who played Pepper in the original Broadway production, presents the national tour of this charming musical for new generations to discover.
Thompson believes the show’s unfailing optimism will resonate with audiences young and old.
“‘Annie’ never disappoints, and always inspires,” she says.
To view all family shows at The Smith Center, please click here.