Another fall, another huge season of family theater. Arts organizations are still struggling, so do them — and yourselves! — a favor and scoop up tickets to a show or two after searching our preview for something that looks interesting. You won’t have to try very hard, I promise.
SEPTEMBER
Through Sept. 12: The Green Sheep. A delightful interactive play for little ones that sneakily introduces concepts of color, size and distance. Ages 1–4. $16. Seattle Children’s Theatre, 206-441-4488. [SEATTLE CENTER]
Sept. 10: Camelot. Seattle Musical Theatre performs the Lerner & Loewe musical about King Arthur’s court. Sept. 10–Oct. 2. All ages. $35–$40. Magnuson Park Theatre, 206-363-2809, Seattle Musical Theatre. [SAND POINT]
Sept. 15: Alegría. Cirque du Soleil’s touring show features world-class acrobats, contortionists, aerialists and clowns. Sept. 15–19. All ages. $28–$95. Tacoma Dome, 800-968-2737, Cirque du Soleil. [TACOMA]
Sept. 18: The Spirit of Mexico. Mexican dance company Joyas Mestizas performs in traditional costume as part of the Arts Gumbo series. Stick around after the show for Mexican hot chocolate and pastries. All ages. $5–$7, ages 3 and younger free. Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 206-760-4285, Arts Gumbo. [COLUMBIA CITY]
Sept. 18: Recess Monkey. The Saturday Family Concert series kicks off with local-boys-made-good rock band, who play silly, dance-worthy songs for kids and their grownups. All ages. $5, ages 12 and under free. Town Hall Seattle, 206-652-4255. [FIRST HILL]
Sept. 24: The Belle of Amherst. Centerstage! presents the one-woman play about the life of poet Emily Dickinson. Sept. 24–Oct. 10. All ages. Knutzen Family Theatre, 253-661-1441, Centerstage! [FEDERAL WAY]
Sept. 24: Hairspray. Tracy Turnblad, formerly an outsider, finds herself swept into a life of celebrity when she wins a spot on a TV dance program in this effervescent Broadway musical, set in 1960s Baltimore. Sept. 24–Oct. 17. Rated PG. $20–$27. Tacoma Musical Playhouse, 253-565-6867. [TACOMA]
Sept. 24: Sherlock Holmes and the Doom of Devilsmore. A local playwright’s new detective mystery! Sept. 24–Oct. 24. All ages. $15–$23. Lakewood Playhouse, 253-588-0042. [LAKEWOOD]
Sept. 30: The Borrowers. The tiny Clock family lives a quiet life under the floorboards of a house until they’re discovered by its human occupants in this adaptation of Mary Norton’s classic children’s book. Sept. 30–Oct. 31. Ages 8 and older. $17–$37. Seattle Children’s Theatre, 206-441-4488. [SEATTLE CENTER]
OCTOBER
Oct. 1: Playdate with the Classics. Let Your Music Shine! with Lisa and Linda introduces little ones to classical music. Oct. 1, 2. Ages birth–5. $12. Benaroya Hall, 206-215-4747, Seattle Symphony. [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]
Oct. 1: Boomtown. Cirque Mechanics presents a world premiere circus show — many performers have come from Cirque du Soleil — set in the 1895 mining town of Rosebud. Oct. 1, 2. All ages. $28–$64. Pantages Theater, 253-591-5894. [TACOMA]
Oct. 1: A Year with Frog and Toad. An utterly charming musical based on the “Frog and Toad” books by Arnold Lobel, performed by Olympia Family Theater. On the first Thursday of the run, head over for Thrifty Thursday – tickets are just $5. Oct. 1–17. All ages. $8–$15. Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 360-753-8586, Olympia Family Theater. [OLYMPIA]
Oct. 7: Into the Woods. The Broadway musical mashup by James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim, in which fairy-tale characters from different stories meet up in the forest and act in most unexpected ways. Oct. 7–30. All ages. Capital Playhouse, 360-943-2744. [OLYMPIA]
Oct. 9: Little Red Riding Hood. Bunraku puppet company Thistle Theatre performs a comic version of the fairy tale, set in Bavaria. Oct. 9, 10. All ages. $7–$9. Bellevue Youth Theatre, 206-524-3388, Thistle Theatre. [BELLEVUE]
Oct. 15: Willy Wonka! A musical based on the beloved book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Oct. 15–30. All ages. Studio East, 425-820-1800. [KIRKLAND]
Oct. 16: The Chinese Experience. A performance by the Seattle Chinese Orchestra followed by a workshop with the musicians and Chinese pastries. All ages. $5–$7, ages 3 and younger free. Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 206-760-4285, Arts Gumbo. [COLUMBIA CITY]
Oct. 16: Symphony Festal! A showcase of symphonic music of the Americas, including Bernstein’s Overture to West Side Story and music by Arturo Márquez. Come early for music by the Denny Middle School mariachi band. Part of the Discover Music series. Ages 6–11. $15–$20. Benaroya Hall, 206-215-4747, Seattle Symphony. [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]
Oct. 16: Little Red Riding Hood. See Oct. 9. Oct. 16 and 17 at Magnuson Park Theatre, 206-524-3388, Thistle Theatre. [SAND POINT]
Oct. 21: Morgan’s Journey. Morgan the clown celebrates his birthday and hangs with his sock puppet buddy, Herkimer, in a play for young kids about the meaning of friendship. Oct. 21–Nov. 14. Ages 3–8. $17–$37. Seattle Children’s Theatre, 206-441-4488. [SEATTLE CENTER]
Oct. 22: Little Red Riding Hood. See Oct. 9. Oct 22 and 23 at Sunset Hill Community Club, 206-524-3388, Thistle Theatre. [BALLARD]
Oct. 22: Dracula. International Ballet Theatre’s show features magicians and acrobats and spooky — but not too spooky — Halloween themes. All ages. $25–$50. Oct. 22–29. Meydenbauer Theater, 425-822-7694, International Ballet Theatre. [BELLEVUE]
Oct. 22: Harvey. An eccentric man introduces the community to his new friend, an invisible 6½-foot rabbit named Harvey, and is suddenly perceived as a threat in this play about creativity versus conformity. Oct. 22–Nov. 14. All ages. $10–$12. Olympia Little Theatre. For tickets, call Yenney Music at 360-943-7500 or Brown Paper Tickets at 800-838-3006. [OLYMPIA]
Oct. 23: A Year with Frog and Toad. Follow Frog and Toad through the seasons as they learn lessons and about friendship in this sweet, sweet musical, presented by Tacoma Children’s Musical Theater. Oct. 23–31. All ages. $10–$15. Tacoma Musical Playhouse, 253-565-6867. [TACOMA]
Oct. 23: Family Saturday Concert: Elizabeth Mitchell. Mitchell’s low-key style is perfect for the traditional American and folk tunes she performs with her husband and daughter. Her show two years ago sold out — don’t wait to buy tickets. All ages. $5, ages 12 and younger free. Town Hall Seattle, 206-652-4255. [FIRST HILL]
Oct. 23: Nickelodeon’s Storytime Live! Nick, Jr. stars Dora the Explorer, The Backyardigans, Wonder Pets! and Kai-Lan share the stage in a musical adventure. Oct 23, 24. Ages 5 and younger. $12–$42. The Paramount Theatre, 206-682-1414. [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]
Oct. 24: A Night at the Movies Costume Concert. Students from Tacoma Youth Symphony Association dress up for Halloween and perform music from Harry Potter, Star Wars, The Wizard of Oz and other popular movies. All ages. Rialto Theater, 253-591-5894. [TACOMA]
Oct. 29: Dracula. Seattle Radio Theatre performs Mercury Theatre’s 1938 version of Bram Stoker’s classic with spooky sound effects and music, and a cast of well-known locals. $10–$15, ages 12 and younger $5. Town Hall Seattle, 206-652-4255. [FIRST HILL]
Oct. 29: Harriet’s Halloween Candy. Harriet learns that hoarding is not a good thing in this charming musical. Oct. 29–Nov. 14. All ages. $10. SecondStory Repertory, 425-881-6777. [REDMOND]
Oct. 29: Dracula. Students from Bellevue Youth Theatre perform a “lighthearted” version of the story, along with other monster tales. Oct. 29–Nov. 7. Rated PG. $10. Bellevue Youth Theatre, 425-452-7155. [BELLEVUE]
Oct. 30: Kids Koncerts. Lisa and Linda of Let Your Music Shine! present an interactive program of classical music for very young kids. Ages birth–5. $5. Theatre on the Square, 253-591-5894. [TACOMA]
Oct. 30: Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical. A family trip to the Laundromat goes oh, so wrong in this musical based on the book by Mo Willems. All ages. $13–$15. Everett Civic Auditorium, 425-257-8600, Village Theatre. [EVERETT]
Oct. 30: A Halloween Symphony Serenade. Break out the costumes for stories and classical music for very young kids, part of the Kindermusik Symphony Serenade series. Activities begin in the lobby 30 minutes before show time. Ages birth–5. $12. Benaroya Hall, 206-215-4747, Seattle Symphony. [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]
NOVEMBER
Nov. 5: Pippi Longstocking. Red-headed Pippi gets up to some mischief with her friends in this musical, performed by students from Youth Theatre Northwest. Nov. 5–21. Ages 3 and older. $13–$17. Youth Theatre Northwest, 206-232-4145, ext. 109. [MERCER ISLAND]
Nov. 6: Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Carter Family Marionette’s mash-up of the classic tale with a plot from a 19th-century Parisian puppet show about a magician’s picnic-gone-wrong. Nov. 6–21. All ages. $8.50–$10.50. Northwest Puppet Center, 206-523-2579. [NORTHGATE]
Nov. 6: Little Red. StoryBook Theater’s musical spin on “Little Red Riding Hood,” in which the wolf is a vegetarian and Miss Red does not lack for self-confidence. Nov. 6, 7. Ages 3–10. $9. Carco Theatre, 425-820-1800, StoryBookTheater. [RENTON]
Nov. 12: Merry Marching Tunes for Tots. A brass trio plays Tchaikovsky’s accessible music for the ballet, and Let Your Music Shine! with Lisa and Linda leads kids through dancing and marching. Part of the Tiny Tots series. Nov. 12, 13. Ages birth–5. $12. Benaroya Hall, 206-215-4747, Seattle Symphony. [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]
Nov. 13: Rhythms of the Sole. African-American music and rhythm tap performed by Northwest Tap Connection, followed by a Q&A (audience participation alert!) and African-American desserts. All ages. $5–$7, ages 3 and younger free. Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 206-760-4285, Arts Gumbo. [COLUMBIA CITY]
Nov. 13: Little Red. See Nov. 6. Nov. 13–21 at Kirkland Performance Center, 425-820-1800, StoryBookTheater. [KIRKLAND]
Nov. 14: A Night in Madrid. Students from Tacoma Youth Symphony perform works by Manuel de Falla, Joaquin Rodrigo and Isaac Albeníz. All ages. Rialto Theater, 253-591-5894. [TACOMA]
Nov. 18: Lyle the Crocodile. A New York family is astonished to find a crocodile asleep in the bathtub of their new apartment. He, of course, wins them over in this tap-dance musical based on Bernard Waber’s The House on East 88th St. Nov. 18–Jan. 8. Ages 5 and older. $17–$37. Seattle Children’s Theatre, 206-441-4488. [SEATTLE CENTER]
Nov. 18: Rapunzel. Learn the real story about the girl with the long, long hair. Nov. 18–21. Rated G. $10. Bellevue Youth Theatre, 425-452-7155, Bellevue Youth Theatre. [BELLEVUE]
Nov. 19: Annie. Red-headed orphan Annie has a hard-knock life, but her most charming personality leads to good things in the musical, performed by the Driftwood Players. Nov. 19–Dec. 19. All ages. $20–$23. Wade James Theatre, 425-774-9600, Driftwood Players. [EDMONDS]
Nov. 20: Kids Koncerts. See Oct. 30. Theatre on the Square, 253-591-5894. [TACOMA]
Nov. 23: Red Ranger Came Calling, a Guaranteed True Christmas Story. Book-It Repertory Theatre performs Berkeley Breathed’s story about his father, who at age 9 demanded that he be called “Red Ranger” and had a run-in with the mysterious Sander Clos on Vashon Island. Nov. 23–Dec. 23. All ages. $20–$36, opening night $42. Seattle Children’s Theatre, 206-216-0833, Book-It Repertory Theatre. [SEATTLE]
Nov. 26: A Stardust Christmas Carol. It’s December 1945, and the Stardust gang gives Dickens’ classic its own, unique twist. This is the 16th installment of the popular “Stardust” series. All ages. Nov. 26–Dec. 31. $26–$32. State Theatre, 360-786-0151. [OLYMPIA]
Nov. 26: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. The bratty Herdman kids get starring roles in the town Christmas pageant, to the consternation of the town’s residents, in this big-hearted holiday show. Nov. 26–Dec. 23. All ages. $15–$23. Lakewood Playhouse, 253-588-0042. [LAKEWOOD]
Nov. 26: Nutcracker. The opening act looks exactly like a child’s fantasy of Christmas Eve, and seeing the giant, menacing Rat King collapse on stage just never gets old. Performed by Pacific Northwest Ballet. Nov. 26–Dec. 27. All ages. $28–$123. McCaw Hall, 206-441-2424, Pacific Northwest Ballet. [SEATTLE CENTER]
Nov. 26: A Christmas Story: The Musical! Nine-year-old Ralphie wants an air rifle — a really, really cool air rifle — more than anything for Christmas in this musical based on the 1983 movie. Nov. 26–Dec. 30. Rated PG. The 5th Avenue Theatre, 206-625-1900. [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]
Nov. 26: Miracle on 34th Street. Bellevue Youth Theatre performs the holiday musical about an old man who claims to be Santa Claus — is he really? Nov. 26–28. Rated PG. $10. Meydenbauer Center, 425-452-7155, Bellevue Youth Theatre. [BELLEVUE]
Nov. 26: A Christmas Carol. ACT’s annual Dickenfest is a well-crafted, straightforward retelling of Scrooge’s redemption at the hands of three ghosts. Nov. 26–Dec. 26. Ages 5 and up. $22–$27 and up. ACT Theatre, 206-292-7676. [SEATTLE]
Nov. 26: White Christmas. The stage adaptation of the Paramount Pictures film includes 17 Irving Berlin songs – including, of course, the famous title song. Nov. 26–Dec. 19. All ages. $20–$27. Tacoma Musical Playhouse, 253-565-6867. [TACOMA]
Nov. 26: White Christmas. Nov. 26–Dec. 19. All ages. $30–$39. Capital Playhouse, 360-943-2744. [OLYMPIA]
Nov. 27: Sleeping Beauty. Centerstage’s annual holiday panto includes silly humor, men dressed as women and women dressed as men, and lots of heckling from the audience. Don’t miss! Nov. 27–Dec. 23. All ages. Knutzen Family Theatre, 253-661-1441, Centerstage. [FEDERAL WAY]
Nov. 27: The Sound of Music Sing-Along. Watch the 1965 movie starring Julie Andrew and belt out your favorite tunes, then stick around for a tree-lighting ceremony. $9–$16, tree-lighting free. Pantages Theater, 253-591-5894. [TACOMA]
DECEMBER
Dec. 1: A Tuna Christmas. The residents of Tuna, Texas cope with the vagaries of Christmas in this two-performer show. Dec. 1–24. Ages 9 and up. ArtsWest, 206-938-0339. [WEST SEATTLE]
Dec. 2: Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol. Jacob Marley tells his side of the story in this comic twist on Dickens’ holiday classic. Dec. 2–19. Not for very young children. $10–$12. Olympia Little Theatre. For tickets, call Yenney Music at 360-943-7500 or Brown Paper Tickets at 800-838-3006. [OLYMPIA]
Dec. 2: Fantastic Mr. Fox. An adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic about field critters who outwit a trio of no-good farmers. Dec. 2–12. All ages. $10. Youth Theatre Northwest, 206-232-4145, ext. 109. [MERCER ISLAND]
Dec. 3: Holiday Pops with Cirque de la Symphonie. Aeralists, jugglers and dancers perform to seasonal music played by the Seattle Symphony. Dec. 2–5. All ages. $17–$99. Benaroya Hall, 206-215-4747, Seattle Symphony. [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]
Dec. 3: Global Dance Party. Young performers from STG’s DANCE This and More Music @ The Moore present high-energy music and dance from around the world. All ages. The Moore Theatre, 206-682-1414. [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]
Dec. 3: The Gingerbread Boy. The Gingerbread Boy wreaks havoc in the kitchen in this puppet show by Thistle Theatre. Dec. 3, 4. All ages. $9–$10. Sunset Hill Community Club, 206-524-3388, Thistle Theatre. [BALLARD]
Dec. 5: Little Red. See Nov. 6. Dec. 5 only at Museum of History & Industry, 425-820-1800, StoryBookTheater. [LAURELHURST]
Dec. 5: Magical Strings Celtic Yuletide Concert. The Boulding family’s long-running annual holiday show includes seasonal music, Irish step dancing, drumming and storytelling. Part of Kent’s Spotlight Series. All ages. $16–$22. Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Center, 253-856-5051. [KENT]
Dec. 5: Family Holiday Concert. Symphonic and chamber music orchestra LUCO performs a sing-along matinee for all ages. $10–$15, ages 12 and younger free. Town Hall Seattle, 206-652-4255, Town Hall Seattle. [FIRST HILL]
Dec. 9: The Magical Mrs. Claus. An original musical about odd goings-on in the Claus household. Dec. 9–12. Rated G. $10. Bellevue Youth Theatre, 425-452-7155. [BELLEVUE]
Dec. 10: Zak Morgan’s Holiday Show. The Grammy-nominated children’s entertainer presents music, comedy and poetry for kids. Dec. 10–12. All ages. $16–$24. Theatre on the Square, 253-591-5894. [TACOMA]
Dec. 10: Little Women. Olympia Family Theater presents an adaptation of the book by Louisa May Alcott. Dec. 10–26. All ages. $8–$15. Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Performing Arts, 360-753-8586, Olympia Family Theater. [OLYMPIA]
Dec. 11: The Nutcracker. Tacoma City Ballet performs in the tradition of the century-old St. Petersburg original ballet, accompanied by The Northwest Sinfonietta. Dec. 11–22. All ages. $28–$60. Pantages Theater, 253-591-5894. [TACOMA]
Dec. 11: The Nutcracker. Sets and costumes from Ukraine and principal dancers from Russian enliven International Ballet Theatre’s version of the holiday ballet. Dec. 11–23. All ages. $25–$50. Meydenbauer Theater, 425-822-7694, International Ballet Theatre. [BELLEVUE]
Dec. 11: The Gingerbread Boy. See Dec. 3. Dec. 11 and 12 at Magnuson Park Theatre, 206-524-3388, Thistle Theatre. [SAND POINT]
Dec. 11: The Nutcracker. Olympic Ballet Theatre performs. Dec. 11, 12. All ages. $20–$30. Everett Performing Arts Center, 425-774-7570, Olympic Ballet Theatre. [EVERETT]
Dec. 11: Love for Three Oranges. Prince Tartaglia, under the spell of a curse, searches the world for his most favorite fruit, but when he finds the Orange Princess, she turns into a rat! Dec. 11–19. All ages. $8.50–$10.50. Northwest Puppet Center, 206-523-2579. [NORTHGATE]
Dec. 11. Holiday Symphony Serenade. A sing-along, dance-along concert that includes music by local Klezmer band The Kvetchers. Part of the Kindermusik Symphony Serenades series. Ages birth–5. $12. Benaroya Hall, 206-215-4747, Seattle Symphony. [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]
Dec. 11: Holiday Magic. The Sno-King Community Chorale’s annual family show of holiday favorites. All ages. $10–$20. Edmonds Center for the Arts, 425-275-9595. [EDMONDS]
Dec. 14: A Russian Folk Fair. A theater-circus show by Moscow Circus featuring Russian folk musicians, dancers and costumes. All ages. Edmonds Center for the Arts, 425-275-9595. [EDMONDS]
Dec. 16: A Festival of Lessons and Carols. Northwest Boychoir, Vocalpoint! Seattle and members of Northwest Sinfonia perform the traditional service of readings about the Nativity, choral music and audience carols. Dec. 16–19, 21. All ages. $20–$63. Benaroya Hall, 206-215-4747, Seattle Symphony. [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]
Dec. 18: The Elves & the Shoemaker. A couple of elves help out a poor shoemaker and his wife, who in turn teach the pair the meaning of the phrase “good karma.” All ages. $13–$15. Everett Performing Arts Center, 425-257-8600, Village Theatre. [EVERETT]
Dec. 18: The Gingerbread Boy. See Dec. 3. Dec. 18 and 19 at Bellevue Youth Theatre, 206-524-3388. Thistle Theatre. [BELLEVUE]
Dec. 18: The Nutcracker. See Dec.11. Dec. 18 and 19 at Edmonds Center for the Arts, 425-774-7570, Olympic Ballet Theatre. [EDMONDS]
Dec. 18: The Christmas Revels. A not-to-be-missed winter solstice show filled with songs, stories and dances that celebrate a 19th-century English Christmas. Dec. 18–22. All ages. $11–$26.50. Rialto Theater, 253-591-5894. [TACOMA]
Dec. 22: A Charlie Brown Christmas with David Benoit. Jazz piano master David Benoit performs, accompanied by local children’s choirs. All ages. $17–$59. Benaroya Hall, 206-215-4747, Seattle Symphony. [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]
Kris Collingridge is ParentMap’s Out + About editor. Come September, she’s most likely to be found in a theater somewhere.
