THE WIZARD OF OZ, JUNGLE BOOK KIDS & More Set for Children's Theatre at Way Off Broadway's 2015 Season

The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre, the area's only year-round producing theatre, is not just known for its Mainstage productions. Shortly after the theatre opened, it launched its own Children's Theatre. The Children's Theatre at Way Off Broadway has been a part of the premiere entertainment venue since 1996 when it opened with an original production of Sleep Beauty. That was the beginning of what would become one of the most popular family entertainment spots in Frederick. To this day, the Children's Theatre at Way Off Broadway is the area's only children's lunch theater, offering a family-friendly meal before each show, and giving audience members, young and old alike, a chance to meet the character before they see them singing and dancing on stage.

Following the Mainstage's 20th Anniversary Season during 2014, Way Off Broadway's producers have announced The Children's Theatre's 2015 Season, marking the family theatre's own 20th Anniversary.

The Children's Theatre at Way Off Broadway has seen a number of the most popular children's characters make appearances on its stage over the years. The 2015 Season will be no different as Way Off Broadway will once again bring a classic Disney film to life, as well as other characters that have been a part of our entertainment culture for generations.

Kicking off the season will be a new show that has just recently been released for theatres to produce their own production. In January, Way Off Broadway will present the area's first production of The Berenstain Bear On Stage! Following the beloved bears in the spring and summer will be an adaptation of the wildly popular MGM motion picture, The Wizard of Oz. The fall will see the return of Disney to Way Off Broadway with Disney's The Jungle Books Kids. Rounding out the season is a brand new Children's Theatre production, The Great Elf Adventure.

"There is nothing like the Children's Theatre," says Bill Kiska, Way Off Broadway's Executive Producer and CEO. "Many times, our children's theatre productions are the first live stage shows some of the children have ever seen. Being able to introduce children to live theatre is a wonderful thing. And the 2015 is looking like it will be our best season yet!"

2015 CHILDREN'S THEATRE SEASON

THE BERENTEIN BEARS ON STAGE
January 17 - March 28, 2015
Five classic Berenstain Bear stories come to life on the stage, as told by "the world's foremost expert on the Berenstain Bears," the guitar-strumming Cowboy Joe. Follow Papa Bear, Mama Bear, Brother Bear, and Sister Bear on their adventures in The Berenstain Bears' New Baby, The Berenstain Bears and the Messy Room, The Berenstain Bears and the Double Dare, The Berenstain Bears Tell the Truth, and The Berenstain Bears Get Stage Fright. Five great stories all in one live stage play.

THE WIZARD OF OZ
April 11 - July 26, 2015
The Young Performers' Edition is a one-hour adaptation of the beloved MGM motion picture. Like so many girls her age, little Dorothy Gale of Kansas dreams of what lies over the rainbow. One day a twister hits her farm and carries her away over the rainbow to another world. Come join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Cowardly Lion and Toto as they travel the universe of Dorothy's imagination.

DISNEY'S THE JUNGLE BOOK KIDS
September 19 - October 31, 2015
Disney's beloved "man-cub" marches his way through the jungle as he learns what it means to be human. The jungle is jumpin' with jazz in Disney's The Jungle Book Kids. Specially adapted from the classic film, this musical includes all your favorite Disney tunes, like "The Bare Necessities," and "I Wan'na Be Like."

THE GREAT ELF ADVENTURE
November 21 - December 27, 2015
The mischievous Jingles the Elf is on the loose in this fast paced holiday adventure starring one of Way Off Broadway's most popular characters from its annual Breakfast with Santa (and Mrs. Claus). When Jingles misses his sleigh ride back to the North Pole, he finds himself stranded and looking for a way home. Along the way, he meets characters that neither he, nor the audience, will ever forget in this hilarious MIS-adventure!

Children's Theatre performances are every Saturday afternoon, with matinees on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month. Tickets are $17 per person, allowing everyone to be a "kid" that day.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting the theatre or calling the Box Office at (301) 662-6600.

To learn more about The Children's Theatre, or any of the theatre's productions, visit the Way Off Broadway's website at www.wayoffbroadway.com.