This is really cool! As soon as I read about a THEATER OFFERING CHILDCARE, I said to myself, my readers need to know about this! See, I love theater so much that I run to see plays all the time and leave my kids with my husband. He’s very good about it, he knows theater is my drug. But sometimes we just want to bring the kids and either can’t get a babysitter or don’t want to pay for it. So listen to this:
Playwrights Horizons is pleased to announce the launch of PLAYTIME! at Playwrights Horizons, a brand new program offering affordable, professional childcare while you see a show. Playwrights Horizons has teamed up with Sitters Studio, a bonded and insured company made up of sitters who are working artists, which will provide and operate the program in Playwrights Horizons’ very own building.
PLAYTIME! is the first program of its kind among New York City theaters.
PLAYTIME! will debut during the run of the theater company’s next production, KIN, the world premiere of a new play by Bathsheba Doran (Living Room in Africa, adaptation of Great Expectations at The Lortel). KIN is directed by Sam Gold (Circle Mirror Transformation at PH, Tigers Be Still, The Aliens, The Coward) and begins performances on Friday, February 25.
With PLAYTIME!, while patrons enjoy a Playwrights Horizons performance, their children will be upstairs in a rehearsal space having his or her own fun, artistic experience – learning a dance or song, making a craft project or participating in a myriad of other artistic activities provided by Sitters Studio. The program is available for children ages 4-12 (potty-training required). All Studio Sitters undergo background checks and are CPR certified.
PLAYTIME! is free to Playwrights Horizons subscribers and available to non-subscribers for a flat fee of only $15 per child. PLAYTIME! care will be offered during the following three performances of KIN:
- Sunday matinee, February 27 at 2:30 PM
- Sunday matinee, March 20 at 2:30 PM
- Saturday matinee, April 2 at 2:30 PM
For more information, visit the PLAYTIME! web page at www.playwrightshorizons.org/playtime.asp, or call Casey York at (212) 564-1235, ext. 3152. For additional information about Sitters Studio, please visit www.sittersstudio.com.
To book tickets to KIN and reserve your child’s spot in the PLAYTIME! program, visit www.ticketcentral.com, or call Ticket Central daily from Noon to 8 PM at (212) 279-4200. You must reserve childcare at the time you book your performance tickets, and no fewer than 10 days prior to your desired performance.
HOW TO ORDER DISCOUNT TICKETS for KIN and RESERVE YOUR CHILD’S SPOT for Playtime!:
We are pleased to offer a discount ticket when you order before March 21. Use code KINBLOG and tickets are only:
$40 (reg $70) for perfs Feb. 25-March 10 (including Feb. 27 Playtime! perf)
$55 (reg $70) for perfs March 11-April 3 (including March 20 & April 2 Playtime! perfs)
- Online at www.TicketCentral.com
- Call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 (Noon-8pm daily).
- In person: Ticket Central box office, 416 West 42nd Street (Noon-8pm daily)
You must reserve childcare at the time you book your performance tickets, and no fewer than 10 days prior to your desired performance.
Playwrights Horizons has also partnered with West Bank Café (located across the street at 407 West 42nd Street), which will be offering a special, affordable children’s menu on the PLAYTIME! dates.
PLAYTIME! care will also be offered during select performances of Playwrights Horizons remaining two productions of the 2010/2011 Season:
- GO BACK TO WHERE YOU ARE, the World Premiere of a new play by David Greenspan, directed by Leigh Silverman, beginning performances Thursday, March 24 at Playwrights Horizons Peter Jay Sharp Theater.
- THE SHAGGS: PHILOSOPHY OF THE WORLD, the New York premiere of a new musical with book by Joy Gregory; music by Gunnar Madsen; lyrics by Ms. Gregory & Mr. Madsen; and story by Ms. Gregory, Mr. Madsen & John Langs; directed by Mr. Langs; beginning performances Thursday, May 12 at Playwrights Horizons’ Mainstage Theater.
The PLAYTIME! program is made possible with generous funds from the Theater Subdistrict Council (TSC). The TSC is a not-for-profit corporation established pursuant to a 1998 zoning rule that allows owners of landmarked Broadway theaters to transfer air rights within the Theater Subdistrict provided the theater is preserved, there is a commitment to use the space for legitimate theater use, and a portion of the proceeds are deposited into a Theater Subdistrict Fund designed to support the theater community. The TSC administers the Theater Subdistrict Fund, to allocate grants with the goal of developing new audiences, promoting the production of new theater work, and showcasing Broadway’s singular role in the history of American theater. The TSC consists of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, three representatives appointed by the Mayor from the performing arts, theatrical and related industries, the Speaker of the Council and her designee, the Manhattan Borough President, and the Director of the Department of City Planning. The TSC is chaired by Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin, on behalf of Mayor Bloomberg.
Currently playing at Playwrights Horizons is the World Premiere of Adam Bock’s A SMALL FIRE, directed by Trip Cullman. The production is playing at Playwrights Horizons’ Mainstage Theater, where its limited engagement has been extended through Sunday, January 30.
For subscription and ticket information to all Playwrights Horizons productions, call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200, Noon to 8PM daily, or purchase online at www.ticketcentral.org. For more information, visit the Playwrights Horizons website at www.playwrightshorizons.org.
Disclosure: I was not compensated for this review nor did I receive anything in exchange for it. All opinions expressed are my own.
what a great idea, now i just need my littlest one to turn four!