There are lots of spring theater and music opportunities for families in the Puget Sound region, from nearly free local shows to big Broadway productions to theater festivals that’ll knock your kids’ socks off. Read on and mark your calendars! (Did we miss something? Email calendar@parentmap.com!)
MARCH
March 4 Disney’s Imagination Movers Live! The New Orleans–based rock band for kids make a stop in Seattle! $20–$40. The Paramount Theatre [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]
March 4–20 The Boy Who Cried Wolf. A young boy sounds the alarm one too many times — and learns an uncomfortable lesson about honesty — in an adaptation of one of Aesop’s fables. Ages 5 and older (all-ages performances for families with younger kids every Sunday). $10. SecondStory Repertory [REDMOND]
March 4–20 The Crucible. Advanced acting students perform Arthur Miller’s Tony Award–winning 1953 drama about the witch trials in Salem. $13–$17. Youth Theatre Northwest [MERCER ISLAND]
March 5 The Reptileman. Kids can see live lizards, snakes and other cold-blooded critters in an informative show that’s part of the Ridge Romp series. $3. Phinney Neighborhood Center [PHINNEY RIDGE]
March 5–6 Momotaro, the Peach Boy. Bunraku puppet company Thistle Theatre performs a Japanese children’s story about a little boy who defends his village against the terrible onis (demons). Ages 3 and older. $7–$9. Bellevue Youth Theatre, thistletheatre.org [BELLEVUE]
March 5, 19 Kids Rock Series. Kindiependent band The Board of Education plays witty science-themed songs for kids, March 5; schoolteachers-turned-rock-stars Recess Monkey play March 19. $4–$10. Mount Baker Community Center, kindiependent.com [MOUNT BAKER]
March 5–20 Adventures of Monkey King. The trickster Monkey causes mayhem wherever he goes in this world-debut performance by Yang Family Puppets. $8.50–$10.50. Northwest Puppet Center [NORTHGATE]
March 5–May 1 Zirkus Fantazmo. An all-new, circus-themed show for kids that includes a pre-show carnival and post-show activities. Ages 5 and older. $28–$40. Teatro ZinZanni [SEATTLE CENTER]
March 6 Jack & the Beanstalk. StoryBook Theater’s original musical adaptation of the fairy tale about a boy, a handful of beans and one very hungry giant. Ages 3 and older. $9. Museum of History & Industry, storybooktheater.org [MONTLAKE]
March 8 An Evening with Bobby McFerrin. The 10-time Grammy Award winner best known for the 1988 hit “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” is in town courtesy of Giant Magnet! $30–$75. The Paramount Theatre [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]
March 10–20 Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. Young Peter Hatcher tries to cope with his “impossible” little brother, Fudge, in this adaptation of Judy Blume’s young adult book. $10. Youth Theatre Northwest [MERCER ISLAND]
March 11 More Music @ The Moore. Youth musicians work with professional mentors — and the end result is a blowout show that covers a wide range of musical genres. All ages. $15. The Moore Theatre [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]
March 11–13 Giselle. International Ballet Theatre performs an authentic version of the oldest continually performed ballet in history, using choreography created by Petipa for Russia’s Imperial Ballet at the turn of the last century. $24–$50. Meydenbauer Theatre, interballettheatre.org [BELLEVUE]
March 11–27 Singin’ in the Rain. A romantic comedy about the early days of the movies, based on the 1952 film. Ages 9 and older. $11–$14. Studio East [KIRKLAND]
March 12 Rosie the Riveter. A musical adventure for kids that explores the stories of women who took to the workforce during the 1940s. All ages. $6. Auburn Avenue Theatre [AUBURN]
March 12 Carney’s Wonder Cabaret. How’d-he-do-that illusions and witty banter. $10–$20. Kirkland Performance Center [KIRKLAND]
March 12 Winter Concert for the Kids. The Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra treats kids to classical music for kids, including Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. $4–$10. Town Hall Seattle [FIRST HILL]
March 12 Puppet Island Showcase. The Zambini Brothers treat kids to a behind-the-scenes look at puppets in an entertaining, educational show. $7. Shorecrest Performing Arts Center [SHORELINE]
March 12 Smalltime String Band. Oliver, age 12 and Eli, age 8, play old-time music with their parents. Free. Ages 4–12. Northgate Community Center. [NORTHGATE]
March 12 Kids Koncerts. Tacoma Philharmonic teams up with Lisa and Linda of Let Your Music Shine! for a performance of classical music for young kids. $5. Theatre on the Square, broadwaycenter.org [TACOMA]
March 12, 13 Momotaro, the Peach Boy. See March 5. Magnuson Park Theatre, thistletheatre.org [SAND POINT]
March 13 Swimmy, Frederick and Inch by Inch. Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia transforms the gentle stories of Leo Lonni into an innovative puppet show. $13–$15. Everett Civic Auditorium, villagetheatre.org [EVERETT]
March 16-20 Quidam. Cirque du Soleil is back with its newest arena show, in which a bored and neglected young girl escapes to an imaginary world. $30-$76. Comcast Arena at Everett [EVERETT]
March 17 The Gothard Sisters. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with fiddling and champion Irish step dancing! $15–$17. Auburn Avenue Theatre [AUBURN]
March 17–April 10 Moisture Festival. Comedy/varietè and film (including beautiful animation piece The Adventures of King Achmed) for all ages at interesting venues around town — don’t miss this one. $10–$20. Hale’s Palladium, ACT Theatre, Georgetown Ballroom, SIFF Cinema, moisturefestival.org [BALLARD, DOWNTOWN SEATTLE, GEORGETOWN, QUEEN ANNE]
March 18–19 A Garden Full of Songs. Lisa and Linda of Let Your Music Shine! and the Seattle Symphony present a spring-themed, interactive classical music program for very young kids. $12. Ages newborn–5. Benaroya Hall, seattlesymphony.org [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]
March 18–26 Tom Sawyer. A musical adaptation of Mark Twain’s novel, performed by Heavier Than Air Family Theatre. Ages 6 and older. $10. Heavier Than Air Family Theatre [AUBURN]
March 19 Where the Sidewalk Ends. The Saturday Family Concerts series continues with Bushwick Book Club’s first-time-ever family show, in which local songwriters interpret the work of Shel Silverstein. $5, ages 12 and younger free. Town Hall Seattle [FIRST HILL]
March 20, 26 Pinocchio. Students from Pacific Northwest Ballet School perform a family matinee of the one-act fairy tale ballet. $25–$67. McCaw Hall, pnb.org [QUEEN ANNE]
March 22–April 3 Billy Elliot the Musical. A boy overcomes the odds in this inspiring musical presented by Broadway Across America. $22–$80. The Paramount Theatre [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]
March 24–27 The Boy Friend. Madrona Children’s Theatre performs the Jazz Age musical comedy that made Julie Andrews’ career. $5–$10. Mountlake Terrace High School, madronachildrenstheatre.blogspot.com [MOUNTLAKE TERRACE]
March 25–27 Momotaro, the Peach Boy. See March 5. Sunset Hill Community Club, thistletheatre.org [BALLARD]
March 25–April 3 The Last Unicorn. The fight is on to thwart an evil king who wants to capture all of the world’s unicorns! $10. Bellevue Youth Theatre [BELLEVUE]
March 26 Stellaluna. Puppet company Tears of Joy Theatre performs an adaptation of the children’s book about a baby bat who is raised by birds—adventures ensue. $16–$24. Theatre on the Square, broadwaycenter.org [TACOMA]
APRIL
April 1–17 Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Alexander is having — and this is an understatement — an off-day in a play based on Judith Viorst’s children’s book. Olympia Family Theatre performs. Ages 5 and older. $8–$15. Washington Center for the Performing Arts, olyft.org [OLYMPIA]
April 2 Ay, Margarita! Flutist Mirta Wymerszberg performs Latin American music in a show that incorporates singing, music, stories and dancing. $3. Phinney Neighborhood Center [PHINNEY RIDGE]
April 2, 16 Kids Rock Series. The series wraps up with the garage-rock sounds of The Not-Its! on April 2; gentle music for little ones by The Harmonica Pocket on April 16. $4–$10. Mount Baker Community Center, kindiependent.com [MOUNT BAKER]
April 7–May 1 The Man Who Planted Trees. A French shepherd plants a forest, one acorn at a time, in an award-winning show by Puppet State Theatre Company. Ages 7 and older. $25–$37. Seattle Children’s Theatre [QUEEN ANNE]
April 8, 9 The Frog Prince. Missoula Children’s Theatre works with local school kids for one week to produce the show. Ages 5 and older. $5–$10. Knutzen Family Theater, centerstagetheatre.com [FEDERAL WAY]
April 8–17 A Midsummer Night’s Dream. PNB stages George Balanchine’s ballet. $27–$165 (on Thursdays and Fridays, patrons younger than 25 can buy tickets for $15). McCaw Hall, pnb.org [QUEEN ANNE]
April 9 Count Yourself Silly. Kindermusik’s Studio3Music educators lead kids on a jungle-themed exploration of numbers. $12. Benaroya Hall, seattlesymphony.org [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]
April 9 Eckaman & Super Mokako. Gotta-dance Congolese music by a vocalist and composer from Zaire and his Afro-funk/soukous fusion band. $5, ages 12 and younger free. Town Hall Seattle [FIRST HILL]
April 9–17 Camelot. Lyric Light Opera presents the musical about the age of courtly love. $24–$35. Kirkland Performance Center [KIRKLAND]
April 10 A Day on the Town, a Night in Hell. Commedia dell’arte specialist Arne Zaslove and friends present a preview of the opera using masks, music and slapstick. (Some humor not appropriate for small kids.) $5–$10. Town Hall Seattle [FIRST HILL]
April 15–17 Pinocchio. A wooden puppet learns important life lessons along the way to becoming a real boy. All ages. $10. Bellevue Youth Theatre [BELLEVUE]
April 16–17 The Emperor’s New Clothes. A pop musical based on the fairy tale. All ages. $6. Auburn Avenue Theatre [AUBURN]
April 16–17 Coppélia, the Girl with Enamel Eyes. Olympic Ballet Theatre performs the comic ballet about a life-size dancing doll and the young villager who loves her. $20–$30. Edmonds Center for the Arts, olympicballet.com [EDMONDS]
April 22–May 8 13. A new, high-energy rock musical about growing up, performed by conservatory students. $13–$17. All ages. Youth Theatre Northwest [MERCER ISLAND]
April 23–May 1 Sleeping Beauty. Beauty is cute, but that’s not the most interesting thing about her in StoryBook Theater’s comic twist on the fairy tale. Ages 3 and older. $9. Kirkland Performance Center, storybooktheater.org [KIRKLAND]
April 27–May 21 Shipwrecked! An Entertainment. Adventurer Louis de Rougemont sails to the South Seas, encounters sea monsters and does a whole lot of other stuff in this three-actor play. Ages 9 and older. ArtsWest [WEST SEATTLE]
April 28–June 5 Jackie & Me. A young boy with a very special power travels back in time to 1947, meets baseball great Jackie Robinson and finds out what it was like to be African-American during segregation. Ages 8 and older. $25–$37. Seattle Children’s Theatre [QUEEN ANNE]
April 29–May 1 Cinderella. The fairy tale as retold by Bellevue Youth Theatre. $10. Meydenbauer Theatre, bytf.org [BELLEVUE]
April 29–May 21 Into the Woods. Characters from different fairy tales meet (yes) in the woods in the frothy Sondheim musical. $35–$40. Seattle Musical Theatre [SAND POINT]
April 30 Seussical. The Cat in the Hat hosts a whirlwind musical tour of Dr. Seuss’ classic stories. $13–$15. Everett Civic Auditorium, villagetheatre.org [EVERETT]
MAY
May 6 Chinese Acrobats of Hebei. Amazing feats of acrobatic skill from the birthplace of Chinese acrobatics, the province of Hebei. $15–$40. Edmonds Center for the Arts [EDMONDS]
May 6–15 A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Humans and fairies vie for love — and the upper hand — in a dark Athens wood. $10. Bellevue Youth Theatre [BELLEVUE]
May 6–22 A Year with Frog and Toad. Sunny Frog and grumpy Toad bake cookies and have other homey adventures in this sweet, funny musical adaption of Arnold Lobel’s children’s book. Ages 5 and older (all-ages performances for families with younger kids every Sunday). $10. SecondStory Repertory [REDMOND]
May 6–29 Hello, Dolly! Dolly Levi tries to play matchmaker, with comical results, in this classic musical. All ages. $20–$27. Tacoma Musical Playhouse [TACOMA]
May 7 Recess Monkey/Johnny Bregar. Rock ’n’ roll and bluesy folk for little kids by the local Kindiependent musicians! The Moore Theatre [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]
May 7 Gustafer Yellowgold. The animated sun critter is back in town with his national touring show, which features music, illustrations and storytelling. $5, ages 12 and younger free. Town Hall Seattle [FIRST HILL]
May 7 The Harmonica Pocket. The local duo plays wacky instruments, plies the hula hoop, and performs sweet music for families. $3. Phinney Neighborhood Center [PHINNEY RIDGE]
May 7, 8 Sleeping Beauty. See April 23. Carco Theater, storybooktheater.org [RENTON]
May 8 Chinese Acrobats of Hebei. See May 6. $20–$30. Kirkland Performance Center [KIRKLAND]
May 11–14, 16 International Children’s Festival. The festival celebrates 25 years with its usual lineup of intriguing family performers, including the Guangdong Province Puppet Troupe and the Sichuan Opera Company. May 11–14 at Seattle Center; May 16 in Tacoma; giantmagnet.org [SEATTLE CENTER, TACOMA]
May 12–29 Mary Poppins. A big Broadway show based on the big Disney movie, presented by Broadway Across America. The Paramount Theatre [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]
May 13–29 If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. What happens? Find out in an adaptation of Laura Numeroff’s beloved children’s book, performed by Olympia Family Theatre. All ages. $8–$15. Washington Center for the Performing Arts, olyft.org [OLYMPIA]
May 14 The Secret Garden. Book-It Repertory Theatre presents the story of a lonely orphan girl who learns to make friends. All ages. $6. Auburn Avenue Theatre [AUBURN]
May 15 Sleeping Beauty. See April 23. MOHAI, storybooktheater.org [MONTLAKE]
May 21 The Whiz. Nicholas Leichter and Monstah Black’s original version of The Wizard of Oz incorporates hip-hop, funk and drag. $29–$59. Pantages Theater, broadwaycenter.org [TACOMA]
May 20–21 Melodies from the New World. Lisa and Linda of Let Your Music Shine! and the Seattle Symphony take kids on a magical journey to the New World, featuring the music of Dvořák. $12. Ages newborn–5. Benaroya Hall, seattlesymphony.org [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]
May 20–June 12 Gulliver’s Travels. Based on Jonathan Swift’s classic satire, in which Gulliver encounters people large and small, talking horses and other fantastical characters. $13–$17. Youth Theatre Northwest [MERCER ISLAND]
May 20–June 12 Annie. Annie runs away from the orphanage, meets gajillionaire Daddy Warbucks, and the rest is Broadway history. Ages 5 and older. $11–$14. Studio East [KIRKLAND]
JUNE
June 4–12 Miss Nelson Is Missing! Miss Nelson’s class just doesn’t know how to behave — until scary sub Viola Swamp shows up. All ages. $10–$15. Tacoma Musical Playhouse [TACOMA]
June 10–18 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. A sweet adaptation of the fairy tale (with an original score) by Heavier Than Air Family Theatre. Ages 6 and older. $10. Heavier Than Air Family Theatre [AUBURN]
June 18 The Secret Garden. A lonely, sour little girl learns to make friends in Book-It’s adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s story. Come early for themed crafts, and stay after for a workshop. $10–$12. Center House Theatre, book-it.org [SEATTLE CENTER]
June 25 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Missoula Children’s Theatre and a cast of local kids perform the fairy tale as part of the Shoreline Arts Festival. $7. Shoreline Center auditorium [SHORELINE]
