Being so close to Manhattan, Westchester has a lot of theatrical talent. As a culture-loving mom, it’s important for me to be able to share my love of the theater with my children. While I do go into the city often for wonderful shows like no others on earth, I also indulge in my own county’s cultural offerings.
My five pieces of advice to you when booking local theater for your kids:
1. Research the sites listed below and plan ahead. Time gets away from us and it’s better to plan cultural events ahead of time. \
2. Make a day of it – most likely, you’ll be visiting a different part of Westchester. Go out to lunch before the show. Check out the shops nearby.
3. Be sure to talk about the show before you see it so your child is aware of the plot and can keep up. Otherwise, they won’t get as much out of the show as you might hope for.
4. Choose one child to see the show with. Maybe you have more than one, but why not focus on one child and make the play a special experience for the two of you.
5. If the actors come out after the show to sign autographs, wait a few minutes to get a few signatures on your child’s program. It will make the experience all the more meaningful.
Here’s what playing right now, or coming up, in Westchester, New York:
ClockTower Players – Resident theater company of the Irvington Town Hall Theater Foundation. My kid’s doctor, Marc Wager, is actually playing the French Horn in the orchestra for the upcoming Cinderella, so we hope to see it.
What’s coming: Rodger & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Frog and Toad Kids, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Rent, The Wizard of Oz, A Chorus Line, Bye Bye Birdie
The Play Group Theater – Westchester’s not-for-profit theatre company dedicated entirely to providing actor training and diverse performance opportunities for children and teenagers, located in White Plain.
What’s coming: Pippin, My Son Pinocchio: Geppetto’s Musical Tale
Westco Productions – Theater for young audiences in White Plains.
What’s coming: The Littlest Pilgrims, Bubblemania, Frosty the Snowman, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, This Garbage Isn’t Garbage, Charlotte’s Web
The Emelin Theatre – Located in Mamaroneck, New York, and founded in 1972, The Emelin is the oldest continuously operating performing arts theater in Westchester County. I, of course, am a blogging ambassador for this theater and really enjoy their family productions. My son and I just went to see their opening Dinosaurs!, read my fellow ambassadors from Three Savvy Ladies’ review here. I’ had never seen him so absorbed in a show.
What’s coming: Mariachi Los Camperos, Charlotte’s Web, Paper Bag Players, Trout Fishing in America, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Emelin Family Benefit with the Gizmo Guys, If the Shoe Fits, Click Click Moo, Cashore Marionettes, The Dream Jam Band, Junie B. Jones
Random Farms Kids Theater – The resident children’s theater at the Tarrytown Music Hall.
What’s coming: Bye Bye Birdie, The Secret Garden, Hairspray
Do not use Random Farms theater. My son had a horrible experience. He was reprimanded for not being focused at seven at night. You pay them for your child to be in their productions, but they claim ” you pay for the opportunity” to be there. I do not know how this company is allowed to cater to children.