If you’re looking for top-quality theatre for young audiences (TYA), look no further! We have a wide range of shows that are sure to delight audiences of all ages. Scroll through our picks below to find delightfully engaging stories, toe-tapping musicals, and more.
Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical Book by Melvin Tunstall III, Lyrics by Douglas Lyons, Music by Greg Borowsky & Douglas Lyons, Based on the Original Concept by Douglas Lyons
The plot follows 8-year-old Lily Polkadot who just moved to the “Squares Only” small town of Rockaway. As the first Polkadot in an all-Square school, Lily faces an almost impossible task of gaining acceptance from her peers. From daily bullying to segregated drinking fountains, Lily’s quest seems hopeless until she meets Sky, a shy Square boy whose curiosity for her unique polkadot skin blooms into an unexpected pal-ship. Inspired by the events of The Little Rock 9, Polkadots serves as a colorful history lesson for children, reminding them that our individual differences make us awesome, not outcasts.
The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!
By Paul Gilvary, Robert Kauzlaric & William Rush, Based on the book by Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith
There are two sides to every story, and when the Big, Bad Wolf takes the stand in Piggsylvania’s Trial of the Century, he finally gets his say. But whether he’ll get a fair trial in a corrupt piggy court is anyone’s guess. Will the pigs’ splashy puppet show make a puppet out of justice, or is the wolf’s catchy song and dance about a sneeze gone wrong all razzle-dazzle? Enter the jury box and decide the fate of Big ‘n’ Bad in this musical adaptation of the hit children’s book.
A Peter Rabbit Tale Book by Sarah Brandt, Music & Lyrics by Neal Richardson
Peter Rabbit doesn’t think life as a rabbit is all it’s cracked up to be in this spirited children’s musical. His mother is always making him do chores, and Peter’s had just about all he can take of his goody two-shoes twin sisters. After being picked on for the last time, Peter decides to run away from home and find a better place to live — somewhere he can be in charge, do whatever he wants, and be free of responsibility. But as Peter struggles to live with other animals, from feisty squirrels to sewing mice, he begins to realize his life at home might not have been so bad after all.
Peter Pan and Wendy: A Musical Book and Lyrics by Alyn Cardarelli, Music by Steve Goers
This panto-style re-imagining of J.M. Barrie’s classic book focuses on Wendy’s transition from a child to a responsible young lady — with plenty of adventure in between! When Wendy refuses to leave the nursery and sleep downstairs, her mother gives her a mysterious box containing Peter Pan’s shadow. Unable to resist, Wendy opens it, Peter arrives, and they’re off to Neverland! But even there, Wendy must learn what it means to grow up. Full of enchanting music and beloved characters, this fast-paced adaptation of Barrie’s Peter and Wendy is a treat for children of any age.
Peace, Love and Cupcakes: The Musical
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Rick Hip-Flores, Based on the book by Sheryl Berk & Carrie Berk
Based on the bestselling children’s book series, Kylie Carson has a big problem: she’s different. And the difference isn’t necessarily a good thing in 7th grade. She loves vampires, zombies, and all things pertaining to monster movies–one of the many reasons why kids at her new school avoid her like the Creature from the Black Lagoon. To sweeten up her image–and find a place where she belongs–Kylie starts a cupcake club, attended by three other socially invisible girls. Together, they forge a powerful friendship, figure out how to create crowd-pleasing cupcakes, and become a booming baking business that would make Martha Stewart envious. But when Meredith Mitchell, Blakely Middle School’s resident Queen Bee, tries to sabotage their efforts, will Kylie have the courage to stand up to the bully and bring the school together? A musical that celebrates kid power, friendship, and standing up for who you are and what you believe in.
On the Wings of a Mariposa by Alvaro Saar Rios, Music and Lyrics by Dinorah Márquez Abadiano
Based on Barbara Joosse’s beloved children book, On the Wings of a Mariposa is a story about one girl’s quest to keep her abuelita’s memory alive set during the beautiful annual monarch butterfly migration. After her abuelita dies, ten-year-old Pilar uses an old shawl that smells like her grandmother to help her remember their adventures together. One whiff reminds her of the two of them making tortillas or visiting a special forest known as el Círculo Magico where her abuelita would converse with wildlife. But as the shawl’s scent fades, so too do Pilar’s memories. Once it’s gone, will she lose her grandmother forever? This play with music is a true celebration of life and bursts at the seams with warm memories and joy.
Miss Nelson Is Missing! adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher
Miss Nelson can’t control her crazy classroom because she’s just too nice. But when she disappears, her replacement is the hard-as-nails, detention-loving, recess-canceling, homework-overloading substitute teacher Viola Swamp! With the Big Test approaching, the kids suddenly realize how much they miss Miss Nelson and they’ll do anything—including hiring a private eye—to solve the mystery of her disappearance and bring her back.
Junie B. Jones: Toothless Wonder by Allison Gregory
Junie B. Jones is having a rough day—no, scratch that, a rough week! First off, she is about to lose her first tooth. What will she even look like once it comes out? And what does the tooth fairy want all those teeth for anyway? Even worse, everyone in her class except for her has been invited to her classmate Jim’s birthday party. Will Junie B. land that surprisingly elusive invitation? Return to Junie B.’s charming and witty world in Junie B. Jones: Toothless Wonder.
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Wanda’s Monster Music & Lyrics by Laurie Berkner, Book by Barbara Zinn Krieger
This warm-hearted musical tells the story of an imaginative little girl named Wanda and her unexpected bond with a fuzzy, purple monster as she learns acceptance and friendship. Based on the award-winning children’s book by Eileen Spinelli, Wanda’s Monster features music and lyrics by singer, songwriter, and superstar children’s recording artist Laurie Berkner, including fan favorites “Monster Boogie” and “Wanda, Whatcha Wanna Do?,” and a book by Barbara Zinn Krieger.
Stellaluna The Musical
Book and Lyrics by Alyn Cardarelli, Music by Steve Goers, Based on the books of Janell Cannon
Stellaluna the bat, Verdi the snake, and Pinduli the hyena all seek refreshment at a watering hole one hot day, only to find themselves the subjects of a bullying lion’s ridicule. But by sharing stories about building self-confidence, these three misfit animals find wisdom, peace, and friendship. Based on the popular books by Janell Cannon, this delightful musical is a treat for both children and adults.
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by John Glore, based on the book by Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith
Though the characters may be familiar, each of your favorite storybook fables is uproariously derailed in this adaptation of Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith’s quintessential children’s book of fractured fairy tales. Everything from “Chicken Little” to “The Gingerbread Man” gets a complete makeover. Fun music and witty narration accompany the likes of ineloquent giants, sassy barnyard animals, colossal cow pies, and enough stinky cheese to go around.
From the Mouths of Monsters by Idris Goodwin
Teenage poet Michelle is used to fading into the background. Performing at a poetry slam feels impossible until she is offered a mask with the power to remove the wearer’s doubts. But when the mask proves to have other strange powers, Michelle must dig deeper to find her true voice. An imaginative slam-poetry fable inspired by Frankenstein. Recommended for grades 3 and up!
