Gretna Theatre Announces Summer Family Series

From filling in the blanks during MAD LIBS® LIVE! to dodging spicy salsa in Dragons Love Tacos, Gretna Theatre’s 2026 Family Series offers a summer packed with fun for audiences of all ages.

This summer’s lineup features storybook-inspired adventures, beloved characters, audience-powered moments, and sensory-friendly entertainment designed to spark creativity and imagination. Families can also enjoy themed concessions inspired by each production, adding an extra layer of fun to the theatre experience. As part of Gretna Theatre’s continued commitment to literacy and family engagement, every child who attends a Family Series performance will receive a free book to take home.

The productions feature Gretna Theatre’s 2026 Acting Apprentices: Kylah Frazier, Bryce Gray, Annika Locke, Maggie McClure, Donovan Molloy, and Callaghan Petrosky, who will perform across the Family Series productions throughout the summer season.

The 2026 Family Series begins Saturday, June 6 at 11:00 am with MAD LIBS® LIVE!, featuring music by Jeff Thompson and book and lyrics by Robin Rothstein. Inspired by the iconic “World’s Greatest Word Game,” this ever-changing musical follows four high school performers competing on a live television singing competition when they suddenly discover their songs are missing words. Audiences help fill in the blanks, making each performance completely unique.

The adventure continues with How I Became A Pirate on Saturday, June 20 and Saturday, June 27 at 11:00 am. Based on the beloved children’s book by Melinda Long and David Shannon, this swashbuckling musical follows young Jeremy Jacob as he joins a crew of comedic pirates searching for the perfect place to bury treasure. Along the way, Jeremy discovers that while adventure is exciting, home and family may be the greatest treasures of all.

On Saturday, July 11 at 11:00 am, dragons take over the stage in Dragons Love Tacos, written by Ernie Nolan and based on the bestselling book by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri. When a boy and his dog learn the important rules of feeding dragons, things quickly spiral into delightfully chaotic fun. Families will love this playful adaptation packed with laughs, tacos, and fiery surprises.

The series concludes Saturday, July 25 at 11:00 am with Jeff Boyer’s Big Bubble Bonanza, a sensory-friendly bubble spectacular unlike anything audiences have seen before. Guinness World Record-holding bubble artist Jeff Boyer combines comedy, music, and massive bubble creations into a larger-than-life experience designed to delight audiences of all ages and abilities.

Gretna Theatre’s Family Series has become a beloved summer tradition for families across Central Pennsylvania and beyond, offering accessible daytime programming that brings stories off the page and onto the stage. 

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

MAD LIBS® LIVE!
Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 11:00 am

How I Became A Pirate
Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 11:00 am
Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 11:00 am

Dragons Love Tacos
Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 11:00 am

Jeff Boyer’s Big Bubble Bonanza
Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 11:00 am

2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats

Best New Play - Top 3

1. Liberation

29.5% of votes

2. Giant

15.8% of votes

3. Dog Day Afternoon

15.4% of votes

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