The long, sweet days of summer may be tapering off, but we do have one thing to console us as the weather grows cooler: Theaters around Puget Sound are launching a new season of fabulous entertainment for families. There’s a little bit of everything being offered, from budget-friendly classical music performances for little ones to big Broadway favorites. Whatever your kids’ interests or attention spans (and yours!), you’ll find something wonderful here that’s just about right. Cue the curtain! [Editor’s note: At press time, some venues hadn’t announced their new seasons; check our online calendar for updates.]
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 2: Wicked. What happened between the witches of Oz before Dorothy dropped by? You’ll find out in this Tony Award−winning musical. Ages 8 and older. Sept. 2–Oct. 4. $30.50–$83.50. The Paramount Theatre. [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]
Sept. 11: The Secret Garden. A sour, lonely little girl learns to love in this musical adaptation of the Frances Hodgson Burnett novel. The Driftwood Players perform. All ages. Sept. 11-Oct. 4. $20-$23. Wade James Theatre, 425-774-9600. [EDMONDS]
Sept. 12: Thoroughly Modern Millie. A small-town girl seeks her fortune in '20s-era New York and finds herself drawn to the flapper lifestyle in this PG-rated musical performed by the Hi-Liners (music is by Jeanine Tesori, known for her work in Shrek the Musical). Sept. 12–27. Previews at Renton’s Carco Theatre, $12; regular run at Highline Performing Arts Center, $12–$25. hi-liners.org [RENTON]
Sept. 14: A Double-Feature Movie for Your Mind. Jim French and company record a couple of radio dramas live on the Kirkland Performance Center stage! Expect a suspenseful, mysterious evening for all ages, complete with sound effects. $9. Kirkland Performance Center, 425-893-9900. [KIRKLAND]
Sept. 19: Saturday Family Concert. Town Hall kicks off its family concert series with a performance by Caspar Babypants, who in his other life is known as Chris Ballew, lead singer of the Presidents of the United States of America. He plays sing-along music for little ones that won’t grate on parental ears. $5, ages 12 and younger free. Town Hall Seattle. [FIRST HILL]
Sept. 25: Cirque de Classic. Lisa and Linda of Let Your Music Shine! perform engaging classical music concerts for the very young. Don’t wait to buy tickets — these shows sell out. Benaroya Hall, seattlesymphony.org. [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]
Sept. 25: Mysterious Gifts: Theatre of Iran. Iranian performance artist Yaser Khaseb demonstrates traditional Persian performance, using puppets to tell stories. It’s part of the theater’s cross-cultural exchange program. Ages 10 and older. Sept. 25–Oct. 11. Seattle Children’s Theatre, 206-441-4488. [SEATTLE CENTER]
Sept. 26: Raven and Coyote. Native American trickster tales are performed by Book-It All Over. It’s Family Day, which includes a book fair, arts and crafts, and workshops that relate to the show’s theme. All ages. $10–$12. Center House Theater at Seattle Center, 206-770-0880. [SEATTLE CENTER]
Sept. 26: Magical Music of Disney. The Everett Symphony Orchestra puts on its mouse ears — enjoy tribute classic Disney tunes, complete with animation! All ages. $15–$50. New Life Center. [EVERETT]
OCTOBER
Oct. 10: Mother Goose Goes to the Symphony. Lisa and Linda of Let Your Music Shine! blend classic kids’ rhymes with symphonic music from Beethoven, Haydn, Schubert and others. Ages 5 and younger. $12. Bethany Center, 800-595-4849, everettsymphony.org. [EVERETT]
Oct. 10: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The biblical story about a young man visited by visions has been adapted into a humorous musical packed with hits. Rated PG (visit the 5th Avenue’s Web site for parental guidelines). $22–$88. Oct. 11–Nov. 1. The 5th Avenue Theatre, 206-625-1900. [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]
Oct. 10: Baba Yaga and the Bag of Gold. Bunraku puppet company Thistle Theatre kicks off its new season with a Russian folktale about a witch who lives in a hut that walks on chicken legs. All ages. $7–$9. Magnuson Park Theatre, 206-524-3388. [SAND POINT]
Oct. 16: Edgar Alan Poe Live. Edgar Alan Poe tells his life story — from beyond the grave! — in this special Halloween show by the Driftwood Players. Ages 10 and older. $10. Oct. 16–17. Wade James Theatre, 425-774-9600. [EDMONDS]
Oct. 16: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. An adaptation of Laura Numeroff’s sweet story about a mouse who pesters a little boy. Ages 3 and up. Seattle Children’s Theatre, 206-441-4488. [SEATTLE CENTER]
Oct. 16: Baba Yaga and the Bag of Gold. See Oct. 10. Oct. 16–18. Sunset Hill Community Club, 206-524-3388, thistletheatre.org. [SUNSET HILL]
Oct. 24: Baba Yaga and the Bag of Gold. See Oct. 10. Oct. 24–25. Bellevue Youth Theatre, 206-524-3388, thistletheatre.org. [BELLEVUE]
Oct. 24: Snow White. StoryBook Theater’s wacky musical adaptation of the fairy tale — there’s always a funny twist in these performances, which are perfect for little ones. Ages 3–10. Oct. 24–25. Carco Theatre, 1-877-827-1100, studio-east.org. [RENTON]
Oct. 30: Bunnicula. The carrots in the crisper are getting sucked dry. Could the cute bunny that the Monroe family just acquired possible be a … vegetable vampire? SecondStory Children’s Theatre performs. Ages 5 and older (children younger than 5 can attend the all-ages shows on Nov. 1 and 8). Oct. 30–Nov. 15. Second Story Repertory, 425-881-6777. [REDMOND]
Oct. 30: Dracula. International Ballet Theatre’s production features magicians and acrobats, diverse dance styles, and spooky seasonal touches — but no gore. Kids are encouraged to wear costumes to matinees. Ages 5 and older. $25–$50. Oct. 30–Nov. 1. Meydenbauer Theater, 425-822-7694. [BELLEVUE]
Oct. 30: 101 Dalmatians. Youth Theatre Northwest performs a musical based on the story about a lotta dogs with a lotta spots. All ages. $13, opening night $15. Oct. 30–Nov. 22. Youth Theatre Northwest, 206-232-4145, ext. 109. [MERCER ISLAND]
Oct. 31: Snow White. See Oct. 24. Show runs Oct. 31–Nov. 1. Everett PUD Auditorium, 1-877-827-1100, studio-east.org [EVERETT]
NOVEMBER
Nov. 7: Goldyhands and the 3 Bows. Another classical musical concert by Lisa and Linda of Let Your Music Shine! (I’ll bet you can guess the themes here). They perform with the Everett Symphony. New Life Center, 800-595-4849, everettsymphony.org [EVERETT]
Nov. 11: Meet Me in St. Louis. This musical adaptation of the film by the same name tells the story of the Smith family against a backdrop of the 1904 World’s Fair. All ages. $23–$59. Nov. 11 –Jan. 31, 2010. Francis J. Gaudette Theatre, villagetheatre.org [ISSAQUAH]
Nov. 13: Peter Pan. Seattle Children’s Theatre presents the lovely musical about a boy who won’t grow up and his run-ins with the loathsome Captain Hook. There will be flying! Ages 6 and older. Nov. 13–Jan. 10. Seattle Children’s Theatre, 206-441-4488, sct.org [SEATTLE CENTER]
Nov. 13: Honk! The poor Ugly Duckling is despised by his family because he’s not graceful like them. This witty musical, performed by Seattle Musical Theatre and based on the Hans Christian Andersen tale, teaches lessons about tolerance and understanding. Ages 4 and older. $25–$35. Nov. 13–29. Magnuson Park Theatre, 206-363-2809. [SAND POINT]
Nov. 14: Raven and the Box of Daylight. Carter Family Marionettes perform an old Northwest Coast Native American tale about the trickster Raven, who brings sunlight to the world, using hand-carved cedar marionettes and masks by Nuu-chah-nulth artist George David, as well as a musical score by Makah Tribe members. All ages. $8.50–$10.50. Nov. 14–22. Northwest Puppet Center, 206-523-2579. [NORTHGATE]
Nov. 14: Snow White. See Oct. 24. Show runs Nov. 14–22 at Kirkland Performance Center, 425-893-9900. [KIRKLAND]
Nov. 21: Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny. Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia performs a Margaret Wise Brown double bill. Arrive an hour before the show starts for activities with Imagine Children’s Museum. Grades pre-K through 2. $12–$14. Everett Civic Auditorium, 425-257-8600, villagetheatre.org [EVERETT]
Nov. 29: The Sound of Music. The hills are alive with the … you know. Lyric Light Opera presents the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical just in time for the holidays. All ages. $24–$35. Nov. 29–Dec. 6. Kirkland Performance Center, 425-893-9900. [KIRKLAND]
Nov. 27: A Christmas Story. A holiday performance for all ages, drawn from the book In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash. $20-$23. Nov. 27–Dec. 20. Wade James Theatre, 425-774-9600, driftwoodplayers.com. [EDMONDS]
Nov. 27: A Christmas Carol. The 33rd annual production of a colorful (and possibly too creepy for younger kids) adaptation of Charles Dickens’ novel about family, greed, ghosts and second chances. $32–$47. Nov. 27–Dec. 27. ACT Theatre, 206-292-7676. [SEATTLE]
Nov. 27: The Nutcracker. The granddaddy of all the Nutcrackers still looks great well into its 20s! Nov. 27–Dec. 30. All ages. $22–$120. McCaw Hall, 206-441-2424, pnb.org [SEATTLE CENTER]
Nov. 28: White Christmas. Audiences loved it back in 2006 — and now the adaptation of the classic 1954 holiday movie is back at the 5th Avenue. $22–$88. Nov. 28–Dec. 30. 5thavenue.org [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]
DECEMBER
Dec. 3: Madeline’s Christmas. Youth Theatre Northwest performs an adaptation of one of the Madeline books. Ages 3 and older. Dec. 3–13. $13, opening night $15. Youth Theatre Northwest, 206-232-4145, ext. 109. [MERCER ISLAND]
Dec. 4: Tale of Two Bad Mice. A sweet Beatrix Potter tale, in which a young Beatrix’s pet mice have a very bad day. Thistle Theatre performs. Dec. 4–6. $7–$9. Sunset Hill Community Club, 206-524-3388. [BALLARD]
Dec. 5: Harlequin’s Cloak. Coad Canada Puppets perform a hand-puppet pantomime that introduces kids to the stories of commedia dell’arte. All ages. Dec. 5–20. $8.50–$10.50. Northwest Puppet Center, 206-523-2579. [NORTHGATE]
Dec. 12: A Tale of Two Bad Mice. See Dec. 4. Runs Dec. 12–13 at Magnuson Park Theatre, 206-524-3388, thistletheatre.org [SAND POINT]
Dec. 19: A Tale of Two Bad Mice. See Dec. 4. Runs Dec. 19–20 at Bellevue Youth Theatre, 206-524-3388, thistletheatre.org [BELLEVUE]
Dec. 5: The Snow Queen. KDWP Radio performs a live broadcast — with audience participation — of the Andersen tale in which a young girl rescues her friend, who’s in thrall to the Snow Queen. All ages. $10. Dec. 5–13. Wade James Theatre, 425-774-9600, driftwoodplayers.com [EDMONDS]
Dec. 6: Snow White. See Oct. 24. Runs one day only at the Museum of History & Industry, 1-877-827-1100, studio-east.org [LAURELHURST]
Dec. 11: The Nutcracker. International Ballet Theatre performs. Dec. 11–23. All ages. $25–$50. Meydenbauer Theater, 425-822-7694. [BELLEVUE]
Dec. 12: Charlotte’s Web. TheatreworksUSA presents the story of a girl, her beloved pig, Wilbur, and the spunky spider who saves Wilbur’s life. Grades K–5. $12–$14. Everett Performing Arts Center, 425-257-8600, villagetheatre.org [EVERETT]
Dec. 13: The Snow Queen. Theatre Simple’s lovely version of the Andersen fairy tale about Gerda’s remarkable journey to save her friend Kai from the clutches of the Snow Queen. $10–$15. Kirkland Performance Center, 425-893-9900. [KIRKLAND]
Kris Collingridge is ParentMap’s Out & About editor.
