Long Island summer theater guide for kids
The Wiggles! Live in Concert takes place at 1 and 4 p.m. Aug. 19, 2012, at NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury. The Wiggles summer tour reunites Anthony, Jeff and Murray with Yellow Wiggle Greg Page, as they perform together for the first time in five years. Credit: Handout
Summer lures children outdoors to play, and rightly so. But there's no reason why the kids can't slip in a little indoor culture as well. Rapunzel, The Cat in the Hat, Peter Pan and dozens of other beloved characters will sing, dance and act their way through onstage performances at theaters across the Island during July and August.
Here are some upcoming standouts:
This summer's schedule: "The Wizard of Oz," July 10; "Beauty and the Beast," July 17; "Snow White," July 24, "Jack and the Beanstalk," July 31; "Cinderella," Aug. 7; "Alice in Wonderland," Aug. 14 and "Peter Pan," Aug. 21.
Three princesses try to escape the spell of a wizard during "The Princess Show" on Friday; "Pinocchio" tells the classic tale of the wooden puppet who longs to be a real boy on July 13; "Aesop's Fables" looks at the tortoise and the hare on Aug. 17; and Alice visits Wonderland on Aug. 24.
The series kicks off July 11 with the Gizmo Guys Comedy Jugglers. It continues with The Mr. Molecule Science Show on July 18 (additional matinee at 1:30 p.m.); "The Taming of the Shrew" on July 25; "Aesop Bops!" on Aug. 1; Cirquetacular! on Aug. 8 (additional matinee at 1:30 p.m.); Laughing Pizza band on Aug. 15; The National Marionette Theatre production of "Sleeping Beauty" at Aug. 22 and Captain Courage and the Maritime Pirates Stage Show on Aug. 29.
Pinkalicious loves pink, and wants everything in her life to be pink. Robin Hood's gang of merry men rescues Maid Marian from the evil Sheriff of Nottingham.
Four actors play 12 roles in this musical adaptation of the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale, which incorporates contemporary touches.
The musical, based on the children's book "Freckleface Strawberry" by actress Julianne Moore, is about a little girl with bright red hair and freckles who learns to embrace her look.
"Willy Wonka Jr." tells the tale of the world-famous candy man's quest to find an heir. "Seussical Jr." journeys through the world of Dr. Seuss with The Cat in the Hat as the guide.
"The Wizard of Oz" tells Dorothy's classic story; "The Little Mermaid" follows Ariel and her ocean pals. These two shows are put on by Gateway Playhouse. "101 Dalmatians" follows Pongo and Perdita as they race through the streets of London to save their puppies from Cruella de Vil; it's presented by Ovations Dance.
Kids should bring a favorite stuffed animal and wear animal-themed clothes for this show, which will last about 75 minutes.
Both of these original musicals are based on the classic tales.
The Wiggles summer tour reunites Anthony, Jeff and Murray with Yellow Wiggle Greg Page as they perform together for the first time in five years.
Enter the world of Neverland with Peter Pan, Wendy and John in this audience participation play.
Preschoolers will see their favorite characters from the two TV shows.
