PHILADELPHIA, PA: Celebrated for it's commitment to encouraging parents (and grandparents) to read to their kids, the Walnut Street Theatre for Kids 2012-2013 Season will feature four great musicals based on popular children's books, along with a family-favorite holiday classic. Children first read great books, then watch as the stories come to life on stage. These musical adaptations deliver real-life lessons in a welcoming, kid-friendly environment that's both creative and affordable. They're written especially for kids in grades K-6th and their grown-up friends. The Walnut takes pride in bringing together families through reading and the arts.
The 2012-2013 Walnut Street Theatre for Kids Season will feature four spectacular musicals based on your kids' favorite books! Kids and families will enjoy Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great (Saturday, September 22), Alexander and theTerrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (Friday, February 1 - Saturday, February 9), Diary of a Worm, A Spider and A Fly (Saturday, March 30 - Saturday, April 13), Ramona Quimby(Saturday, June 1) and Philadelphia's favorite holiday tradition, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol(Saturday, December 1 - December 22).
The season begins with the super-funny musical, Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great. Being a 10 year-old kid is kind of a pain. Having an older sister is really a pain. Being afraid of everything is... well, just plain painful! Dogs? Swimming? Spiders? Yikes! Sheila Tubman, otherwise known as Sheila the Great, learns how to face her fears in this fun and poignant musical. Discover the wonderful kid inside! Audiences will enjoy Judy Blume's classic story as it comes to life on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at 10:30 am, 1:00 pm and 3:30 pm.
Up next is a musical about a boy who just can't seem to catch a break in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Alexander is having a really, really bad day. He wakes up with gum in his hair, his best friend abandons him on the playground and his mom forgets to put dessert in his lunch box. Might as well pack up and move to Australia! This totally awesome musical is sure to tickle everyone's funny bone as it helps kids understand that some days are just like that. Help Alexander turn his frown upside down February 1 - 9, 2013!
Then, something exciting, slimy and hilarious will be wiggling, buzzing and flying around the Walnut! It's the Walnut Street Theatre for Kids' production of Diary of a Worm, A Spider and a Fly, based on the books by Doreen Cronin. Kids will love this rock-n-roll romp in a big bug's world. Is Spider getting too big for his own skin? Will Fly find her superhero powers in time to save her Aunt Rita from peril? Will Worm learn to stand on his own two feet? OK animals, let's have fun! This creepy crawly musical adventure takes off on Saturday, March 30!
Finally, closing the WST for Kids 2012-2013 Season is Ramona Quimby with the latest breathless adventure of the world's most animated elementary school student. Ramona, the exasperating but lovable third-grader, feels her life is a mess. Her older sister Beezus is a pain, her Aunt Bea may marry a dork, and her Dad lost his job. Ramona faces these challenges as audiences laugh and cheer her on! Ramona Quimby arrives on Saturday, June 1, 2013 at 10:30 am, 1:00 pm and 3:30 pm.
WST for Kids Season subscriptions are priced so that any family can attend these productions at an affordable cost. A subscription to the four-show series only costs $34 ($8.50 per show) in the Upper Mezzanine and $40 ($10 per show) in the Orchestra or Lower Mezzanine. Subscriptions are on sale now. Performance times are 10:30 am, 1:00 pm and 3:30 pm. Call 215-574-3550, ext. 6 or 215-336-1234 for tickets. Single tickets are just $14-$16 and go on sale in mid-October.
Special Holiday Attraction - Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Walnut Street Theatre is proud to present its musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROLat 10:30 am on December 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18 and 19; 11 am on December 1, 8, 16 and 22 and at 1 pm and 3:30 pm on December 15. Miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is a bitter old man who undergoes a heartwarming journey on one remarkable Christmas Eve. With the help of the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, old Ebenezer discovers what it truly means to be merry. Great for kids K-9th, this hour-long adaptation uses original and traditional carols to highlight Dickens' powerful story. Single Tickets are $14-$16 and are on sale in mid-August. For tickets, please call the Walnut Street Theatre at 215-574-3550 or visit www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org for more information.
