Family Theatre

Book by Leslie Bricusse
Music and Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse
Based on the Doctor Dolittle stories by Hugh Lofting and The Twentieth Century Fox film.

The classic tale of kindness to animals trots, crawls and flies onto the stage in Doctor Dolittle JR with the kids of the Children’s Theatre Arts program with the Playhouse Family Theatre!

This musical tells the classic tale of a wacky, but kind, doctor who can talk to animals, taking the audience on a journey from the small English village of Puddleby-on-the-Marsh to the far corners of the world. When Doctor Dolittle attempts to help a seal named Sophie, he’s wrongly accused of murder and stands trial before General Bellowes. Once pronounced innocent, Dolittle is free to continue with his search for the Great Pink Sea Snail – the oldest and wisest of the creatures on earth.

• Bring the kids dressed in their Halloween best; we’re having a costume contest at intermission of every show!
• The Lake Superior Zoo will be bringing friendly critters with their zoo-mobile for patrons to see and pet in between our performances on Saturdays!
• Performed on the Depot Theatre stage.

An original adaptation written and developed by the Duluth Playhouse’s Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) ensemble

Tom, the miller’s son, is left his father’s cat for an inheritance. He’s also expected to get the family mill. Unfortunately, that went to his bossy elder sister, Gabrielle. The cat, however, is no one’s fool. He promises that if Tom gets him a pair of boots, he will make his fortune.

Once he has the footwear and becomes Puss in Boots, the cat sets out on an amazing adventure. It involves meeting the King, the Queen and the lovely Princess Pam, who Puss thinks will make a nice wife for his master! There is only one real obstacle to the cat’s brilliant scheming:

The Great Ogre!

• Performed by TYA’s adult acting company
• Performed on the Depot Theatre stage

Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Jack Feldman
Book by Harvey Fierstein
Based on the Disney film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White

Set in turn-of-the-century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy, and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right!

Based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story, Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken featuring the now-classic songs “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe.” Newsies is packed with non-stop thrills and a timeless message, perfect for the whole family and every audience.

• Performed on the Depot Theatre stage

Based on the book by A.A. Milne
Adapted for the stage by Kristin Sergel

This honey-filled delight is as sweet as it is fun, based on the beloved characters of A.A. Milne.

Winnie the Pooh is once again in search of honey. Along the way, he meets his pals, Tigger, Piglet, Rabbit, and Owl, but soon discovers that Christopher Robin has been captured by the mysterious Backson! As they prepare for a rescue operation, the animals learn about teamwork, friendship and, of course… sharing snacks.

• Performed by TYA’s adult acting company
• Presented on the Depot Theatre stage
• Presenting Sponsor:  Western Bank

Screenplay by Betty Comden & Adolph Green
Songs by Arthur Freed & Nacio Herb Brown

Based on the classic Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film, by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Inc.

Singin’ in the Rain JR has all the makings of a Tinseltown tabloid headline – the starlet, the leading man and a love affair that could change lives and make or break careers!

In silent movies, Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are a hot item, but behind the scenes, things aren’t always as they appear on the big screen! Meanwhile, Lina’s squeaky voice might be the end of her career in “talking pictures” without the help of a talented young actress to do the talking and singing for her.

• A Junior Summer Intensive performance with youth actors ages 8-13
• Presenting Sponsor:  Otis-Magie Insurance Agency

Written by William Shakespeare

Beatrice and Benedick are locked in a battle of wits, but share a mutual disdain for love. Their friends undertake a scheme to trick them into falling for one another during the preparations for Claudio and Hero’s wedding. But, as that plan starts working, so does another scheme…

One of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, Much Ado About Nothing treats the audience to a hilarious battle of wits and words with the original romantic-comedy couple.

• A Teen Summer Intensive performance with youth actors ages 13-18
• Presenting Sponsor:  Otis-Magie Insurance Agency
• This performance alternates dates with Xanadu JR

Book by Douglas Carter Beane
Music and Lyrics by Jeff Lynne & John Farrar
Based on the Universal Pictures film with a screenplay by Richard Danus & Marc Rubel

The laugh-out-loud musical stage adaptation of the 1980 film, Xanadu JR is the rare musical with a big heart, an even bigger funny bone, and a tongue stuck firmly in its cheek.

Xanadu JR follows Clio, the lovely and precocious Greek muse who decides to put on some roller skates, legwarmers, and an Australian accent in order to help Sonny Malone, a chalk artist with half a brain and a heart of gold, rediscover his own creativity. With both help and hindrance from the other muses — and from a clarinetist-turned-real estate mogul named Danny Maguire — Sonny and Clio work to rebuild their “apex of the arts”: a roller disco.

• A Teen Summer Intensive performance with youth actors ages 13-18
• Presenting Sponsor:  Otis-Magie Insurance Agency
• This performance alternates dates with Much Ado About Nothing