PETER AND THE WOLF, 'THE WITCH' & More Set for Bijou Theatre's Children's Series

The Bijou Theatre is teaming up with New England Ballet Company to put together their first-ever Children's Series, which will run on one Sunday per month at 3pm. The diversity between live musical theatre and a professional dance company will provide a little something for everyone. The first show of the series will be the timeless classic "Peter and the Wolf" on Sunday September 28 at 3 PM.

Shortly thereafter the theatre will be putting on "The Witch, The Broom and The Cauldron," a staged adaptation of the popular children's book written by James DeVivo and will run for three weekends from October 11th- 26th.

There will also be a one afternoon engagement of the Nutcracker Suite on Sunday December 7th at 3 PM. Following this will be another of the theatre's in house productions written and starring Anthony Meath, "Santa's Crazier Christmas Special," running for twelve shows from November 29th through December 21st.

Towards the end of January kids can look forward to "The Adventures of Little Red Riding Hood" told through the New England Ballet Company. This show will be performed on Sunday January 25th at 3 PM. In March all of the Princesses in the area will be invited to the theatre to join us for our "Ballerina Princess Party" on Sunday March 15th at 3 PM. In April the theatre will be putting on the original production of "Super Zeroes," a story that can touch all of our hearts about belonging and finding yourself.

Wrapping up our season on June 7th will be Benjamin Britton's "Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra" at 3 PM. All shows are appropriate for all age groups and promise to provide entertainment to all in attendance.

Peter & the Wolf: A ballet written in the early 1930's, Peter and the Wolf has entertained countless generations. The plot that Peter must save as many of his animal friends as possible before the Wolf eats them truly comes to life on the stage. Such a basic story told through beautiful choreography will undoubtedly leave both the children and the adults stunned to speechlessness.

The Witch, The Broom & The Cauldron: We are fortunate to have this show written by the author of the original children's book with the same title. James DeVivo has written and published several children's books and is thrilled to be able to adapt this one to the stage as a musical. He looks forward to all of the challenges ahead of him in both the script and production, and he says that, like the main character of his book, Cindy Towers, he isn't looking at these as obstacles but as adventures.

A brief description of the show: As a student witch, Cindy Towers gets herself deep in magical glop as one of her spells goes very wrong. Getting things back to normal becomes a wizarding challenge as Cindy and her friends brave a series of exciting magical adventures!

Nutcracker Suite: This beautiful classic ballet will leave children of all ages with magic in their hearts. The story of some very bizarre things that ensue one Christmas Eve prove that anything is possible through the eyes of a child. This suite transcends language and time period. It is performed every year to keep the old, young and the young, hopeful.

Santa's Crazier Christmas Special: The children's show that was performed last December at the Bijou Theatre "Santa's Crazy Christmas Special" boasted 6 of 7 sold out shows, but the writer of both, Anthony Meath, says to audiences that last year was, "just a trial run for Santa. This year he will need a lot more help from the kids to save Christmas!" This is the first show of its kind relying on audience participation and the advanced technology of the theatre's animator and projectionist, James DeVivo to make the show come to life.

The Adventures of Little Red Riding Hood: A classic fairytale, one that most people have heard a dozen times while growing up, but how many have seen it come to life on a stage? A truly beautiful story of deceit and triumph becomes more beautiful through the fluidity of the performers. The emotion in the room is almost palpable as Little Red Riding Hood does everything in her power to make it safely through these perilous adventures.

Ballerina Princess Party: Come and watch all of your favorite fairytale princesses on the Bijou's stage as they dance their way into your hearts and your imaginations. Feel free to dress up so you can have your picture taken with your favorite princess after the show!

Super Zeroes: A work based on the idea of being left out. Come along with us as we help our Zeroes become the Heroes they were born to be. Through this interactive adventure, the kids may learn more about themselves than they might think. Feeling left out a group of second-rate super hero relatives go on a quest to find out what they are really made of. With some help from the audience they might just make it out changed for the better.

Benjamin Britten's "Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra": The work is based on the Rondeau from Henry Purcell's incidental music to Aphra Behn's Abdelazer, and is structured, in accordance with the plan of the original documentary film, as a way of showing off the tone, colors and capacities of the various sections of the orchestra. What does that mean? It means that it uses the orchestration of the piece to truly show the beauty of the dancers. With so many beautiful ways a dancer can move across the stage, it is the perfect pairing.

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