We have family theatre on our minds this week at VancouverMom.ca, between our podcast with Jessie van Rijn and this article by Tovah Paglaro. As we help you love where you live, we have to say it – Vancouver’s rich theatrical offerings are one more reason this is a great place to raise a family!
Family theatre makes me giddy. There is nothing I enjoy more than sharing my love of the arts with my kids. Luckily for them and for me, opportunities abound here in Vancouver.
Sensational Family Theatre on the North Shore
On the North Shore, Centennial Theatre hosts a monthly family theatre series called “Sensational Sundays”. The fare is fun, with performers often coming from out of town to mount imaginative works. The atmosphere is relaxed, the sort of environment where the occasional, “Mom, what’s happening?” is expected and completely acceptable.
There’s something for everyone is this family theatre series, with upcoming performances ranging from a Thumbelina shadowplay with a 1960’s kickback score to an audience participation version of The 3 Musketeers. What is consistent is that the productions are energetic and enjoyable.
Post-Show Meet-and-Greet
A meet-and-greet with the performers in the lobby post-performance has become a signature of the series. Still-costumed, performers mingle for a few minutes after the show, allowing kids of all ages an opportunity to meet the actors. This is a particularly popular with the younger crowd. My three-year-old daughter was a little star struck!
At $18 per ticket, the shows are reasonable but not cheap. The venue’s nice and there is ample parking. But the real draw is the imaginative and accessible live family theatre that everyone will enjoy.
What’s Coming Up
Upcoming Shows:
- Thumbelina, Oregon Shadow Theatre, February 26, 2012
- Charlotte Diamond, March 25, 2012
- The 3 Musketeers, Dufflebag Theatre, April 22, 2012
Tovah Paglaro is the Family Editor for Thrifty & Green Magazine. She writes the series Growing Up Green about her family’s adventures in sustainable living, focusing on teaching children and their parents to love the earth and live like they do. Follow her on Twitter: @tovahp.
