Despite – or because of – the easy access our kids have to performances shown digitally on tiny and giant screens, nothing gives them a thrill like watching a play, concert or other live performance that speaks to their heart. There is something about being together in the dark with fellow theater goers, sharing laughs, scares and tears together, that we all – from toddlers to grown-ups – find magical.
We’ve compiled the theater, dance and music performances happening throughout the year that are well suited to kids – and added age recommendations provided by the theaters.
Have fun selecting a few for the family to enjoy together or maybe setting up a special theater date with just one child. Many of the shows do sell out quickly; so if you have your hearts set on one special theater event, be sure to buy tickets right away.
The 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave., Seattle; 206-625-1900. www.5thavenue.org. Top-quality musical revivals, premieres of bound-for-Broadway shows and touring Broadway musicals are presented in a beautifully restored 1926 vaudeville theater. See the Parental Guidelines for each production online. Secondhand Lions (PG) Sept. 7 through Oct. 6; Anything Goes (PG) Oct. 15 through Nov. 3; Oliver! (PG) Nov. 29 through Dec. 31; Little Shop of Horrors (PG) March 8 through June 15; The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess (PG) June 11-29.
A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St., Seattle; 206-292-7676. www.acttheatre.org. ACT’s holiday offering, A Christmas Carol (ages 5 and older) is a perennial favorite in Seattle. It plays Nov. 29 through Dec. 29. Single tickets prices are $22 to $65.
ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave. S.W., Seattle; 206-938-0339. www.artswest.org. This intimate venue in West Seattle produces compelling theater. Many shows are for older kids and teens, but the holiday show is generally for all ages. Single tickets are $34.50 to $36.50. Little Women the Musical (all ages) Nov. 29 through Dec. 29; Third (ages 13 and older) March 5-22.
Auburn Avenue Kids, Auburn Avenue Theater, 10 Auburn Ave., Auburn; 253-931-3043. www.auburnwa.gov/things_to_do.htm. A season full of family entertainment is offered in the heart of downtown Auburn. Shows take place at Auburn Avenue Theater unless otherwise noted. Recommended for ages 4 to 12. $8 to $10. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Sept. 21; Hilarious Harvest Magic Show Oct. 26; Chicken Little Nov. 2; The Not-Its! Rockin’ Holiday Dec. 7; Jugglemania Jan. 18; Goldilocks & the 3 Bears Feb. 22; Dan Zanes & Elizabeth Mitchell (Auburn Performing Arts Center) March 22; Willy Wonka Jr. April 18-20; Snow White May 10; Disney’s High School Musical Jr. July 18-20.
Bellevue Youth Theatre, 16661 Northup Way, Bellevue (some performances take place at Meydenbauer Theatre); 425-452-7155. www.bellevuewa.gov/BYT.htm. Some performances take place at Meydenbauer Theatre in Bellevue. Actors of all ages and abilities are included either as actors or in a backstage role in these productions, sponsored by the City of Bellevue and Bellevue Public Schools. Tickets are $10 prior to the week of the first show, then they increase to $12, and some Saturday matinees are $5. The following shows are all ages. The Mummy’s Revenge Oct. 25 through Nov. 2; Twelve Dancing Princesses Nov. 8-17; It’s a Wonderful Life Nov. 29 through Dec. 1; ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Dec. 6-14. More shows to follow later in the year; see website for details.
Book-It Repertory Theatre, Center Theatre at the Seattle Center Armory, 305 Harrison St., Seattle; 206-216-0833. www.book-it.org. The Family Fun Series brings classic literature to life onstage. Adult tickets are $12, tickets for kids 12 and younger are $10. A Day’s Work (grades K through 6) Sept. 28; Pink and Say (grades K through 8) March 8; The Phantom Tollbooth (grades K through 6) May 3.
Broadway Bound, various theaters throughout Seattle; 206-526-5437. www.broadwaybound.org. Broadway Bound stages professional-quality theater musicals performed by children ages 5 through 18. Tickets are $15 to $17.50. Legally Blonde: The Musical Jan. 10-26; Peter Pan Jan. 31 through Feb. 9. More shows to follow later in the year; see website for details.
Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, Pantages Theater, Rialto Theater, and Theatre on the Square, 901 Broadway, Tacoma; 253-591-5894 or 800-291-7593. www.broadwaycenter.org. Broadway Center offers a full season of varied performances. Ticket prices vary. Offerings appropriate for families include Fall Free For All Sept. 27; Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Potter Experience, a Parody by Dan and Jeff (ages 6 and older) Oct. 29 through Nov. 3; ¡Fiesta, Familia, Folklore! Nov. 10; Annual Holiday Tree Lighting & Grease Sing-along Nov. 30; The Nutcracker Dec. 7-22; Seattle Men’s Chorus Dec. 12; The Christmas Revels® Dec. 14-15 and 17-18; Chris Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience Feb. 8; From the Top with Christopher O’Riley April 24; Spencers’ Theatre of Illusion April 25.
Centerstage Theatre, Knutzen Family Theatre, 3200 S.W. Dash Point Road, Federal Way; 253-661-1444. www.centerstagetheatre.com. This is Federal Way’s community-based, professional theater. Ticket prices vary, subscription package available. Aladdin Nov. 30 through Dec. 22; Doktor Kaboom! April 4; Missoula Children’s Theatre’s Treasure Island April 11-12.
Heavier Than Air Family Theatre Company, Green River Community College, Performing Arts Bldg., 12401 S.E. 320th St., Auburn; 253-833-9111 ext. 2400. www.heavierthanair.com. This mix of professional and community actors has presented family theater for more than 25 years. See theater etiquette rules for children (and parents) online. Shows are for suitable for children ages 6 and older. Individual tickets prices are $10 to $12, and season tickets are $20. Scrooge Dec. 14-22; Honk! March 21-29; Miss Nelson is Missing! June 13-21.
The Hi-Liners, Highline Performing Arts Center, 401 S. 152nd St., Burien; The Burien Annex, 14501 Fourth Ave. S.W., Burien; 206-617-2152. www.hi-liners.org. Since 1966, the Hi-Liners have been helping young actors ages 3 to 22 hone their skills through classes and camps. They produce a full season of quality shows for audiences of all ages. Tickets range from $10 to $25. Bye Bye Birdie Jan. 10-19; Disney’s Aladdin Jr. April 18-27; Honk Jr. July 10-13.
Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland; 425-893-9900. www.kpcenter.org. This venue hosts a wide variety of performances, including these family shows. Ticket prices vary. Lyric Light Opera’s Annie Oct. 5-20; Gaelic Storm Nov. 9; StoryBook Theater’s Chicken Little Nov. 9-17; Doktor Kaboom! The Science of Santa Dec. 14; The Owl & the Pussycat Dec. 28-29; We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Jan. 12; StoryBook Theater’s Goldilocks & the 3 Bears Feb. 1-9; StoryBook Theater’s Snow White April 26 through May 4.
Lakewood Playhouse, 5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd. S.W., Lakewood; 253-588-0042. www.lakewoodplayhouse.org. Lakewood Playhouse has a theater-in-the-round design, giving audience members a unique perspective of the action on the sets. Single ticket prices range from $19 to $29. The following shows are recommended for younger audiences. Pride and Prejudice Nov. 8 through Dec. 1; The Chronicles of Narnia Dec. 12-22.
ManeStage Theatre Company, 1707 Main St., Sumner; 253-447-7645. https://manestagetheatre.com. This community theater works to produce creative, professional, family-oriented entertainment for kids ages 4 and older. Ticket prices are $18 adults, $15 students and seniors, and $10 ages 10 and younger. Into the Woods Sept. 28 through Oct. 18; Miracle on 34th Street Nov. 30 through Dec. 21; Snow White Feb. 1-16; Tarzan March 22 through April 6; Cheaper by the Dozen May 10-18; Fiddler on the Roof July 19 through Aug. 10.
Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave. N.E., Seattle; 206-523-2579. www.nwpuppet.org. Resident company Carter Family Marionettes as well as guest puppeteers produce innovative puppet shows. The Center’s international puppet museum is open 30 minutes before and after each performance. Shows are recommended for kids ages 4 and older. Tickets prices are $10.50 for adults, $9 for seniors, and $8.50 for children. Subscriptions are available. Go to www.nwpuppet.org for their 2013-2014 season.
Olympia Family Theater, 112 State Ave. N.E., Olympia; 360-570-1638. https://olyft.org. Olympia Family Theater’s mission is to provide accessible children’s theater and programs that entertain and educate. Ticket prices are $16 for adults, $13 for seniors, students and military, and $9 ages 11 and younger. Subscriptions are available. The first Thursday of each run is “Thrifty Thursday” where all tickets are pay-what-you-can (suggested donation $5) and available by cash or check at the door one hour before showtime. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (ages 6 and older) Oct. 4-27; Lyle the Crocodile (ages 4 and older) Nov. 29 through Dec. 22; The House at Pooh Corner (ages 3 and older) Feb. 7-23; Orphan Train (ages 8 and older) April 4-20; Three Tales with Eight Tails (ages 3 and older) May 23 though June 15.
Pacific Northwest Ballet, McCaw Hall, 321 Harrison St., Seattle; 206-441-2424. www.pnb.org. Seattle’s resident ballet company is one of the largest in the country. Each season brings performances of both classic and cutting-edge dance. The following performances will particularly appeal to kids and families, and all four can be purchased as a Family Package. Nutcracker Nov. 30 through Dec. 29; The Sleeping Beauty Jan. 31 through Feb. 9; Pinocchio (Pacific Northwest Ballet School performances) March 16-22; A Midsummer Night’s Dream April 11-19.
Pied Piper from Village Theatre, Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett; Everett Civic Auditorium, 2415 Colby Ave., Everett; 425-257-8600. www.villagepiedpiper.org. Pied Piper hosts guest theater companies, puppeteers and entertainers. Come for pre-show activities with Imagine Children’s Museum, and stay after most performances for a post-show discussion. Single tickets are $15. Subscriptions are available. The Elves & the Shoemaker Dec. 7; We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Jan. 11; Stuart Little March 2; Splat the Cat May 4.
Village Theatre Mainstage, Francis Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front St. N., Issaquah; 425-392-2202. Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett; 425-257-6600. https://villagetheatre.org. Village Theatre shows play first in Issaquah, then move to Everett to complete the run. Tickets run $25 to $63. Subscriptions are available. Below is the full season; parents should read the online Production Preview Guide for each show to decide if it’s appropriate for their family. Xanadu Sept. 12 through Nov. 17; Les Misérables Nov. 7 through Feb. 2; The Foreigner Jan. 23 through March 30; The Tutor March 20 through May 25; Funny Girl May 15 through Aug. 23.
Seattle Children’s Theatre, 201 Thomas St., Seattle; 206-441-3322. www.sct.org. Seattle’s premier children’s theater. Tickets are $20 to $36 for adults and $20 to $29 for children ages 1 to 18. Various season ticket packages are available. Pippi Longstocking (ages 5 and older) Sept. 26 through Nov. 3; Dot & Ziggy (newborn through age 4) Oct. 3 through Nov. 24; James and the Giant Peach (ages 6 and older) Nov. 21 through Jan. 5; Pinocchio (ages 6 and older) Feb. 6 through March 9; The Boy at the Edge of Everything (ages 8 and older) March 6 through April 6; Art Dog (ages 5 and older) April 10 through May 18.
Seattle Musical Theatre, Magnuson Park Community Center Building, 7120 62nd Ave. N.E., Seattle; 206-363-2809. www.seattlemusicaltheatre.org. Seattle Musical Theatre specializes in quality musicals in a community setting. Most shows this season are best for teens, although their holiday show is good for younger kids. Tickets are $35 to $40. Scrooge! (PG) Dec. 6-22.
Seattle Opera, McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St., Seattle; 206-389-7676 or 800-426-1619. www.seattleopera.org. The Daughter of the Regiment (sung in French with English subtitles), Oct. 19 through Nov. 2, is a comedy about two young lovers who aim to break down the social barriers between the military and polite society. The Tales of Hoffmann (sung in French with English subtitles), May 3-17, is about failed romances and artistic expression. Both are appropriate for older children and teens. Seattle Opera’s Family Day matinees let students ages 18 and younger with ID purchase tickets for $15 when accompanied by an adult paying full price, and will be for the October 20 performance of The Daughter of the Regiment and the May 4 performance of The Tales of Hoffmann.
Seattle Symphony, Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle; 206-215-4747. www.seattlesymphony.org. The Family Connections program allows kids ages 8 through 18 to attend a Wyckoff Masterworks Season performance FREE with the purchase of a regular-price adult ticket in section C, D or E ($51, $41 and $31 respectively). Family Connections passes are available by phone or in-person at the box office only, and families may request up to two passes per adult ticket. Sixty passes will be available per concert. See online for a schedule of 53 performances this season.
The Tiny Tots series features half-hour concerts with musical games, stories and songs for infants and kids through age 4, with pre-concert activities taking place half an hour prior to the show. Subscriptions are available, as well as limited single tickets for $12. Mother Goose Goes to the Symphony Oct. 11-12; Holiday Hooray Dec. 6-7; A Safari Valentine Feb. 14-15; Goldyhands and the Three Bows April 4-5; Let’s Have a Playdate June 13-14. Soundbridge Presents is a new series for kids ages 3 to 6 and their parents which combines Seattle Symphony musicians with local talent like Recess Monkey or Caspar Babypants. Concerts are 45 minutes long, with pre-concert activities taking place half an hour prior to the show. Subscriptions are available, as well as limited single tickets for $12. Big World Beat: Brazil with Arts Corp Nov. 2; Baby Beatles with Caspar Babypants and the Seattle Symphony Jan. 18 (special add-on performance); Oh the Places You’ll Go with WindSync March 15; Uke Island with Recess Monkey May 17; Ferdinand the Bull with Elisa Barston and Friends June 28. Discover Music is a series of concerts designed for kids ages 6 to 12. Performances are one hour in length, with pre-concert activities beginning an hour before the show. Subscriptions are available as well as limited single tickets ($20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors). Lemony Snicket’s The Composer is Dead Oct. 19; The Snowman Dec. 14; Carnegie Hall’s The Orchestra Sings Feb. 22; Our Earth May 10; Petrushka June 21.
Seattle Theatre Group, The Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle; The Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle; 877-784-4849. www.stgpresents.org. Seattle Theater Group offers several family shows this season. Single ticket prices vary. The Wizard of Oz Oct. 9-13; Global Dance Party Nov. 8; Seattle Rock Orchestra performs Pink Floyd Nov. 9; Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Nov. 24; Cirque Dreams Holidaze Dec. 20-22; Seattle Rock Orchestra performs Michael Jackson March 1; Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis March 2; TAO: Phoenix Rising March 2; Disney’s The Lion King March 11 through April 6; More Music @ The Moore March 29; Starbucks Hot Java Cool Jazz April 25; Jake Shimabukuro April 26; More Music @ The Moore May 9; Seattle Rock Orchestra performs The Beatles’ The White Album May 10-11; DANCE This July 11-12.
SecondStory Repertory Children’s Theatre, 16587 N.E. 74th St., Redmond; 425-881-6777. www.secondstoryrep.org. Hour-long productions feature audience interaction, and kids get to sit on the stage. Shows are appropriate for grade school-age children; families with younger children are welcome to attend all-ages performances on Sundays with $5 tickets for ages 1 to 3 (free younger than age 1). Tickets are $10. Subscriptions are available. Bunnicula Sept. 27 through Oct. 13; Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical Nov. 1-17; A Christmas Carol Jr. Dec. 6-22; Bayou Bugs Jan. 10-26; Little Red Riding Hood Feb. 14 through March 2; Charlotte’s Web March 21 through April 6; Rapunzel May 2-18.
SecondStory Repertory, 16587 N.E. 74th St., Redmond; 425-881-6777. www.secondstoryrep.org. The annual holiday show is suitable for the whole family, and older kids may appreciate La Cage aux Folles. Tickets are $27, and $22 for seniors, students, educators and military with ID. A Christmas Carol Dec. 13-22; La Cage aux Folles June 6-22.
Stone Soup Theatre, 4035 Stone Way N., Seattle; 206-633-1883. www.stonesouptheatre.org. Stone Soup Theatre, in operation since 1996, specializes in productions of one-act plays. Their annual holiday play generally appeals to families; this year, it is A Child’s Christmas in Wales & The Long Christmas Dinner, Dec. 5-24. Plus, their youth conservatory shows are especially recommended for families: Peter Pan Nov. 20-24; A Midsummer Night’s Dream March 14-23; Annie June 5-15.
StoryBook Theater, Shows take place at Kirkland Performance Center (Kirkland), Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center (Seattle), PUD Auditorium (Everett) and Carco Theater (Renton). 425-820-1800. www.storybooktheater.org. Storybook Theater performances, produced by adult professional actors from Studio East, are interactive musical comedies created for children ages 3 through 10. Single tickets are $10, and season tickets are available. Chicken Little Oct. 26 through Nov. 24; Goldilocks & the 3 Bears Jan. 25 through March 16; Snow White April 19 through May 18.
Studio East, 11730 118th Ave. N.E., Suite 100, Kirkland. 425-820-1800. https://studio-east.org. The Mainstage shows at Studio East include plenty of family fare this year. Tickets prices are $14 adults, and $12 for seniors and youth. The Hobbit: A Musical (ages 5 and older) Oct. 18 through Nov. 3; ‘Twas the Night (ages 4 and older) Nov. 22 through Dec. 15; 13 (ages 11 and older) Jan. 31 through Feb. 9; The Secret Garden (ages 9 and older) March 21-30; Twelfth Night (ages 9 and older) April 4-6; Peter Pan (ages 5 and older) May 30 through June 22.
Tacoma Children’s Musical Theater, 7116 Sixth Ave., Tacoma; 253-565-6867. https://tmp.org/childrenstheater.aspx. Tacoma Musical Theater’s program for families includes fully produced musicals featuring many favorite performers from the mainstage shows. Single tickets are $19 for adults, $17 for seniors, students and military, and $12 for ages 12 and younger. The Cat in the Hat Feb. 22 through March 2; The Prince and the Pauper April 26 through May 4.
Tacoma Musical Playhouse, 7116 Sixth Ave., Tacoma; 253-565-6867. https://tmp.org. This theater’s 2012/13 season includes several productions suitable for families, (and a few that are better for teens). Ticket prices are $29 for adults, $27 for seniors, and $20 for ages 12 and younger. Les Misérables (PG) Oct. 18 through Nov. 10; Annie (G) Nov. 29 through Dec. 22; Shout! (PG) Jan. 17 through Feb. 9; Man of La Mancha (PG-13) March 14 through April 6; La Cage aux Folles (PG-13) May 16 through June 8; Young Frankenstein (PG-13) July 11 through Aug. 3.
Taproot Theatre Company, 204 N. 85th St., Seattle; 206-781-9707. www.taproottheatre.org. Taproot Theatre’s plays are all ages in their content, although best understood and enjoyed by older kids and teens. Single ticket prices are $25 to $40. The Matchmaker (ages 10 and older) Sept. 20 through Oct. 19; Le Club Noel (ages 12 and older) Nov. 29 through Dec. 28.
Thistle Theatre shows take place at Sunset Hill Community Club (Seattle), Magnuson Park Theatre (Seattle) and Bellevue Youth Theater (Bellevue); 206-524-3388. www.thistletheatre.org. The 45-minute productions feature handcrafted puppets, original musical scores and Bunraku style puppetry (puppeteers are dressed in black to suggest invisibility). Appropriate for kids ages 3 and older. Tickets are $10 for adults, and $8 for children and seniors. Season tickets are available. Aesop’s Fables Oct. 12-27; Pixie and the Grocer Dec. 7-29; Tiger and the Dried Persimmon March 1-16; Tales of Peter Rabbit April 26 through May 18.
Town Hall Seattle, 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle; 206-652-4255. www.townhallseattle.org. Town Hall offers the Saturday Family Concert series, featuring an eclectic mix of entertainment. Tickets are $5 for adults with children, free (ticket required) for ages 12 and younger, and $25 for unaccompanied adults. Caspar Babypants’ Baby Beatles Sept. 21-22; Charlie Hope Oct. 19; Christian Swenson Nov. 16; SuperSones Jan. 18; Te Fare O Tamatoa Feb. 8; Gustafer Yellowgold & Special Guest March 8; Your Imaginary Friend April 12; The Okee Dokee Brothers May 10.
UW World Series, Meany Hall, University of Washington, Seattle; 206-543-4880. www.uwworldseries.org. This series includes works by contemporary dance companies, world and classical musicians, and other performers. The following shows are part of the new Family Matinee Series, recommended for ages 7 and older. Ticket prices vary, ranging from $31 to $56. Subscriptions available. Discounts for UW students and faculty/staff/alumni association members. MOMIX (dance illusionists) Nov. 2; CIRCA (circus troupe) March 23; Soweto Gospel Choir April 12. Also, kids ages 5 through 17 can attend performances from the President’s Piano or International Chamber Music series FREE with the purchase of an adult ticket (see schedule online). Up to two kids may accompany each adult, per ticket or per subscription.
Washington Ensemble Theatre, 608 19th Ave. E., Seattle; 206-325-5105. https://washingtonensemble.org. Each season, Washington Ensemble Theatre produces an imaginative, family-friendly show. Ticket prices for this Young Artist Series are $10, $5 ages 17 and younger. The Icelandic Illumination Ranger Feb. 1-23.
Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th St., Mercer Island; 206-232-4145. www.youththeatre.org. Theater productions feature child actors in ambitious, professional-quality, full-length shows. Ticket prices are $15 to $17 for opening night, $13 to $15 for all other performances, and $10 for Studio Stage shows. Subscriptions are available. Night of the Living Dead (ages 9 and older) Oct. 18 through Nov. 2; The Hobbit (ages 8 and older) Nov. 8-24; Pinkalicious, the Musical (ages 5 and older) Dec. 6-22; Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr. (ages 5 and older) Jan. 17 through Feb. 9; The Dilemma of Humpty Dumpty (ages 3 and older) Feb. 28 through March 16; Spring Awakening (ages 14 and older) March 14-30; Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up (ages 6 and older) April 25 through May 18.
Photo credit: StoryBook Theater brings us Chicken Little Oct. 26 through Nov. 24. Photo courtesy of StoryBook Theater.
