October 11, 2017

STUDENT MATINEES – 10:00 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.

Grade recommendation: K – 5th

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AARRRGH! Sail off on a swashbuckling musical excursion as young Jeremy Jacobs joins Captain Braid Beard’s band of comical pirates and searches for the perfect spot to bury their treasure. Jeremy finds fun and adventure on the high seas, but he soon learns that home and family are treasures you can’t find on any map!

Based off the popular book, the production includes terrific songs like “A Good One to Boot”, “Green Teeth”, “I’m Really Just a Sensitive Guy”, “Talk Like a Pirate”, “Soccer by the Rules”, “Pirates Dot Arrgh”, and more… It’s a joyful family musical that is sure to leave young mateys singing and dancing in the aisles!

This project is generously funded by the Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas.

 

 

 

 

Book Music & Lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt & Mark Friedman
Based on the book “How I Became a Pirate” by Melinda Long with Illustrations by David Shannon
Produced by Dallas Children’s Theater from Dallas, Texas

December 8, 2017

STUDENT MATINEES: 10:00 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.

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Mooseltoe, the Moose with a Dream, and his friends come to life in this colorful, magical and whimsical musical tale. Follow our hero as he pursues his seemingly impossible dream of being a North Pole reindeer, while learning many valuable lessons along the way. Eight original, memorable and melodic songs accompany this hour-long odyssey to self-discovery. Al Roker narrates this wonderful family presentation, along with other celebrity voices from TV and movies, set design by Kelly Tighe, and costume design by Broadway designer Randy Carafagno of The Lion King.

Book & Lyrics by Jim Semmelman
Music by George Kramer

 

January 23, 2018

STUDENT MATINEES: 9:00 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.

Grade recommendation: 3rd – 9th

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Freedom Riders is the latest edition to the canon of American History plays by Mad River Theater Works. This new play, with original songs and music, explores the valiant and courageous personalities behind one of the most critical chapters in the history of the Civil Rights movement. Freedom Riders demonstrates the importance of working together to affect change and specifically how non-violent protests were used to focus attention on the cruelties of segregation.

Set in 1961, fifteen years after the United States Supreme Court had outlawed segregation, bus lines and cities throughout the South still enforced a rigid system of separating black and white citizens. The Freedom Riders, both black and white Americans, from the North and the South, decided to travel together on buses that crossed state lines despite the hateful segregation and racism that had a strong hold in so many parts of the United States. The unforgettable heroes, and the facts behind the events portrayed in Freedom Riders, are essential to a full understanding of the Civil Rights era and American history.

Play by Jeff Hooper. Music by Bob Lucas.

February 12, 2018 – 10:00 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. – STUDENT MATINEES

Grade recommendation: Pre-K – 4th

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February 11, 2018 – 3:00 p.m. – PUBLIC PERFORMANCE

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Pinkalicious can’t stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor’s office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe – a dream come true for this pink loving enthusiast. But when her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out a way to get out of this predicament.

Book by Elizabeth Kann & Victoria Kann
Music by John Gregor
Lyrics by John Gregor, Elizabeth Kann & Victoria Kann
Based on the book “Pinkalicious” by Victoria Kann & Elizabeth Kann

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February 21, 2018

10:00 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.

Grade Recommendation: Pre-K – 9th

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Audiences and critics agree – Cirque Zuma Zuma is unlike anything they have ever seen before. Many describe it as an African-style Cirque du Soleil; such is the standard of the performers and the quality of the show’s live musical score. Like Cirque, our talent pool of 120 loyal performers has a family business kind of feel.

Cirque Zuma Zuma packs every show with non-stop action and incredible features which keep audiences on the edges of their seats.

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The show includes performances of all different types of African culture, including:

• South African female vocalist
• South African gumboot dancers
• Amazing pole acts
• Zuma Zuma Acrobats
• Chairs handstand balance from Tanzania
• Gabonese tumblers
• Contortionists from Ethiopia
• The Africa Africa Lion dance
• Percussionists from Zimbabwe
• Club juggling
• Ethiopian foot table juggling

January 23, 2017
10:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m.

At the start of the summer of 1947, television was brand new, the sound barrier had not been broken, and baseball was a white man’s game. By the time the fall arrived, all that had changed.

President Truman addressed the nation for the first time on TV, Chuck Yeager flew faster than any man ever had, and Jackie Robinson became the first African-American to play major league baseball. It was no accident that Jackie Robinson was chosen as the first ballplayer to break the color barrier in the sport known as America’s pastime. There were plenty of good athletes in the Negro Leagues: some maybe even better than Jackie. But when Branch Rickey decided to add a black person to the Brooklyn Dodgers, he knew that individual had to be special. He had to be strong enough to stand up to the teammates who would ridicule him, the pitchers who would throw at him and the fans who would send him threats. He had to be able to turn the other cheek, to show that he was the bigger man and to prove that he could be everybody’s hero.

This play with music by Mad River Theater Works shows the events that shaped Jackie Robinson’s character, his struggle to gain acceptance, and the tremendous obstacles he overcame on his way to changing the face of our nation and our national pastime.

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February 24, 2017

STUDENT MATINEES – 10:00 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.

PUBLIC PERFORMANCE – 6:00 p.m Buy Tickets Now

“It’s a rare and pleasurable work that manages technical brilliance, cultural insight and enchantment all in one go.” – Sydney Morning Herald

“Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo delivers solid science as well as an extraordinary spectacle.” – New York Times

Get ready for the ultimate playdate – 65 million years in the making – as Erth’s DINOSAUR ZOO LIVE guides you on a breathtaking tour that begins in pre-historic Australia.  You’ll observe, meet and interact with an eye-popping collection of amazingly life-like dinosaurs and other creatures presented in a theatrical performance that will thrill and entertain kids while stimulating their imaginations in ways that will forever connect them to their world.  Brought to life by a team of skilled performers and puppeteers, and designed with the help of professional paleontologists, Erth’s DINOSAUR ZOO LIVE’s puppets are so extraordinarily realistic you may feel the urge to run and hide – but don’t!  Because you won’t want to miss a minute of this fun, unique, entertaining and educational live show created by Erth Visual & Physical of Sydney, Australia.  While it may indeed have been 65 million years in the making, we think you’ll agree, it’s well worth the wait. www.DinosaurZooLive.us

CLICK HERE FOR STUDY GUIDE CLICK HERE FOR ACTIVITY GUIDE

 

 

March 10, 2017
10:00 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.

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Adapted by Eric Coble

From the Newbery Award-winning book by Lois Lowry

In a “utopian” future of sameness, young Jonas inherits an unusual career: to receive and keep the memories of his community’s past.

Throughout lessons with his elder predecessor, The Giver teaches Jonas of love, war, and all of life’s unknown joys and pains. As his oppressive world continues unchanged, Jonas must decide whether to keep these secrets or upend his community.

This modern classic explores the risks and rewards of a full life. The Giver speaks to all ages, from elementary audiences to adults, and National Players is proud to produce it for the first time this year.

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March 17, 2017

Buy Tickets to 6:00 p.m. Public Performance Now

STUDENT MATINEES – 10 am (SOLD OUT) & 12:30 p.m.

PUBLIC PERFORMANCE – 6:00 p.m

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Now that JUNIE B. JONES has been going to school for over one-and-a-half years, who better to write the book on EVERYTHING you need to know? From bus rules to band-aids, carpools to cookies, Junie B. and friends deliver the definitive word on surviving and thriving in style. With a jillion tips, tricks and trip-ups, Junie B. shares her hard-won expertise and shows us all how school is sometimes scary, sometimes super-fun, and ALWAYS something to sing about! An all-new musical adventure based on Barbara Park’s popular book.

Book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler, Music by Zina Goldrich, based on the book series by Barbara Park, choreographed by Devanand Janki, directed by Peter Flynn.

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