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By Lynda Exley
The Valley is rich with opportunity to see family friendly theater performances. Here’s a sampling of what’s available this month. Presentations are for all ages unless otherwise noted.
Scottsdale Desert Stages Children’s Theatre energizes the stage with Big, the Musical, a tale of a frustrated adolescent who unexpectedly ventures into the adult world when he makes a wish at a carnival. Available through Sept. 10. All ages. 7:30 pm Fri.; 1, 3 and 7:30 pm Sat.; 1 and 3 pm Sun. $12-$15. Desert Stages main theatre presents Gypsy, the story of an ambitious stage mom who pushes her awkward daughter into burlesque, Sept. 22-Oct. 5. Ages 12 and older. 7:30 pm Fri. and Sat., 6 pm Sun. $20-$25. For a squeaky clean musical, check out SUDS: The Rocking ‘60s Musical Soap Opera showing in Desert Stages Actor’s Café through Nov. 4. In an attempt to help a lonely Laundromat lass, three angels turn her world upside-down. All ages. 7:30 pm Fri. and Sat. $15-25. 4720 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale. 480-483-1664. www.desertstagestheatre.com.
See Baby Bear Goes to School at the Great Arizona Puppet Theater through Sept. 17. Baby Bear is excited about his first day of school in this musical told in simple English. For a hilarious slapstick version of The Three Bears, watch Goldilocks performed with hand and rod puppets Sept. 20-Oct. 1. Show times: 10 am Wed.-Fri., 10 am and 2 pm Sat., 2 pm Sun. $6-$8, free ages 1 and younger. 302 W. Latham St., Phoenix. 602-262-2050. www.azpuppets.org.
IMAX Theatre offers SHARKS 3D for an up-close encounter with a multitude of shark species including the great white, hammerhead and whale shark through December. Sharks are not wicked creatures, but fascinating, endangered animals that have been in existence a million years before dinosaurs. $9.50 adults, $8.50 seniors, $7.50 children. Call for schedule. At Arizona Mills, northeast corner of I-10 and Baseline Rd., Tempe, 480-897-1453. www.imax.com.
See a bolder, more humorous retelling of Sleeping Beauty when Childsplay performs it at Herberger Theater Center Sept. 3 and 9-30. Age 4 and older. 2 and 5 pm Sat., 2 pm Sun. $12 for Sept. 3 preview; $18-$22 otherwise. 222 E. Monroe, Phoenix. 602-252-8497. www.childsplayaz.org.
The curtain rises for Disney Live!: Mickey’s Magic Show at the Dodge Theatre. Laugh and cheer with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and a host of other Disney friends as they perform magnificent magical feats. 7 pm Sept. 7; 11 am and 7 pm Sept. 8; 11 am, 2 and 5 pm Sept. 9; and 1 pm Sept. 10. $20-$30. 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. Dodge Box Office: 602-379-2888, Ticketmaster: 480-784-4444. www.dodgetheatre.com.
A Chorus Line, a musical celebration of the unsung heroes of the American Musical Theater – the chorus dancers, plays at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre Sept. 28-Nov. 11. Ages 9 and older. Evenings: 6 pm dinner/8 pm show; Matinees: 11:45 am lunch/1:15 pm show (call for days). $45-$50 evenings, $39 matinees, $15 children 15 and younger (includes meal); $25 show only. 5247 E. Brown Rd., Mesa. 480-325-6700. www.broadwaypalmwest.com.
Desert Foothills Community Education presents the Missoula Children’s Theatre production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. An original adaptation of the classic fairy tale, told with a generous serving of humor and fun, students K-12 can participate in this musical theater experience. There will be two one-week sessions with public performances at the conclusion of each. Session 1, Sept. 11-16. Session 2, Sept. 18-23. Performances: Sept. 16, 2 and 7 pm; Sept. 23, 2 and 7 pm. Tickets available at the door. $3 students; $6 adults. Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center. 33606 N. 60th St. 480-575-2075.
Mesa Arts Center brings in “Jungle Jack Hanna,” a frequent guest of the Late Show and host of Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures, to teach families about animals and the places they live. Enjoy a zany night of unusual creatures 8 pm Sept. 19. $40-$72. MAC’s Stageworks Series offers There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom, a play based on Louis Sachar’s funny, heartwarming novel. Although fifth-grader Bradley feels like the most hated kid in the school, new school counselor Carla thinks he could change if he wasn’t afraid to try. Runs Sept. 29-Oct. 15. Call for show times. $14-$15. 1 E. Main St., Mesa. 480-644-6500. www.mesaartscenter.com.
The musical production Godspell, an ASU Herberger College of Fine Arts production at the Evelyn Smith Music Theatre, tells the story of the last seven days of Jesus Christ’s life, according to the Gospel of St. Matthew. 7:30 pm Sept. 29 and 30, and Oct. 4, 6 and 7; 2 pm Oct. 1 and 8. $7-$22. 40 E. Gammage Pkwy, Tempe. 480-965-6447. http://mainstage.asu.edu./
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Arizona Parenting. All rights reserved. |
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