Among the many things to enjoy about fall–occurring somewhere between the return to school and jumping into leaf piles–is all of the glossy brochures with the upcoming theater for the new season. I get so excited, as if I’m going to go to these shows. Which I generally don’t, because I’m cheap. But I start putting together my birthday and Christmas wish list, at least. Anyway, I thought that I’d look through some of the theater offerings and give you a little preview of some family-friendly stuff that will be happening this season. I’m ignoring the holiday fare because I simply can’t wrap my mind around holidays when I still don’t know what we’re doing for Halloween. Or, for that matter, J’s birthday (although I did buy one gift today!).
If you’re not a theater-goer with the kids, I’m not going to rant about that right now–please refer to this earlier post. But then, come back, okay?
Here are some family-friendly theater highlights:
The Egg will have a puppet show based on Leo Lionni’s books on October 16th and the  Zucchini Brothers in a holiday concert on December 18th. In the spring, much more, including Star Trek Live among others–look here.
Schenectady Light Opera will be performing The Pirates of Penzance in mid-October.
The Schenectady Civic Players are doing Peter Pan at the beginning of December.
Proctors has a cool Literature to Life series for high school students, with dramatizations of three terrific books–worth a look if you teach or parent anybody in high school. Really, Proctors has a ton of cool stuff. Do you remember how last year, they kept Wicked around for so long that it got to the point where it felt like pretty much everyone you knew had seen (and loved) Wicked? And, even if you had had absolutely no previous desire to see Wicked (like me: I read the book and wasn’t crazy about it), suddenly you felt like absolutely must go see it? I’m sorry: was I the only one who felt that way? I still didn’t go because, as you recall, I am cheap, but by the end of their run I was truly wishing to go.  It was such a great strategy that this year they’re doing it with The Lion King. Which is, of course, child-friendly. Running February 22 to March 20, baby, so you might as well just give in and buy the dang tickets or you and your children will be missing the party. Or put them on the wish list. Really, I’ve actually seen the Lion King, so I’ll be okay without it. But seriously? I’m starting to think that the Proctors programmer is psychically connected to me. So many events seem to call to me specifically. I would love to take the kids to see Merchants of Bollywood and Fiddler on the Roof, in particular. And then there’s family favorite, Blue Man Group. Or how about a date night to see David Sedaris?
So, what do you guys think? Any theater that you’re dying to see? And with or without the kids?
Erin Simmons
Saw David Sedaris at the Palace last spring. LOVED IT. Will be begging the hubby to buy me tickets. Fingers crossed.
Albany Kid
There are several shows I’d like to see, but the one the entire family is dying to see is Spamalot. My husband and the kids are HUGE Monty Python fans, me, not so much.