Top Upcoming Children's Shows In Connecticut

Movies, computers, tablets and television are all well and good, but there is nothing that can compare to seeing live actors on stage. The atmosphere of a theater is something that no electronic medium or cinema can duplicate, not even in IMAX with surround sound and 3-D.  Connecticut has many theater companies that perform works for and with children. Here are just five of the upcoming children's shows parents should check out.

"The Snow Queen" (aka Frozen)
The Madhatters Theatre Company
Chester Meeting House
4 Liberty St.
Chester, CT 06412
(860) 395-1861
www.ctkidsonstage.com/MTCDrama.html

Date: Aug. 4-8, 2014

For those children and their parents who have not yet gotten enough "Frozen" in their life, the Madhatters Theatre Company will present "The Snow Queen," the original story upon which the Disney animated movie is based. Performances are scheduled for the first week of August and will be put on at the Chester Meeting House. The Madhatters have been putting on shows for and with children since 1991, and have never yet failed to disappoint their audience.

"Aladdin"
Kidz Konnection
16 W. Main St.
Clinton, CT  06413
(860) 227-2363
www.kidzkonnectionct.org

Date: Aug. 2, 2014 United Methodist Church at 4 pm

On August 2, Kidz Konnection in Clinton will put on a performance of "Aladdin." Most of the actors are children who attend a two-week summer camp where they receive instruction in singing, dancing, acting, character development and other theater arts. Kidz Konnection has put on more than a dozen major productions and a score of more intimate plays over the past eight years – and all to sell-out crowds. In addition to "Aladdin," Kidz Connection will bring a performance of the "Jungle Book" to the Bluefish Festival in Clinton on July 18-19. On August 16-17 and 23-24, the older troupe members will perform Shakespeare in the Garden at the "Old Brick" in Clinton.

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"The Wizard of Oz"
Connecticut Theater Company
The Repertory Theater
23 Norden St.
New Britain, CT 06051
(860) 223-3147
www.connecticuttheatrecompany.org

Dates: Oct. 10-26, 2014

To mark the 75th anniversary of the classic movie, this October, the Connecticut Theater Company will present a stage version of "The Wizard of Oz." Much of the supporting ensemble cast will be made up of children (open auditions begin in August). The show includes all of the characters and songs from the 1939 movie. The Connecticut Theater Company is a major supporter of children in the arts, and many of the shows they put on are kid and family friendly.

"The Wiz"
Downtown Cabaret Theatre
263 Golden Hill St.
Bridgeport, CT 06604
(203) 576-1636
www.dtcab.com/calendar

Date: Jan. 15, 2014

Even though it doesn't start until January, tickets went on sale in April for The Bridgeport Theater Company's upcoming production of "The Wiz." This unique 1970s musical version of "The Wizard of Oz" predates the more recent Broadway hit "Wicked" by more than a generation, yet its lively, outrageous African-American twist on the classic story continues to delight children of all ages. Many of the young actors in the production are or were members of the troupe's Children's Company – which performs on the "Kid's Stage" at the same location.

"Peter Pan, Jr."
Cabaret Children's Company
Downtown Cabaret Theatre
263 Golden Hill St.
Bridgeport, CT 06604
(203) 576-1636
www.dtcab.com/stage/kids-stage

Date: Oct. 18 – Dec. 28, 2014

During the school year, the Bridgeport Theater Company's Cabaret Children's Company offers many opportunities for young talent through the "Kid's Stage" program. This coming fall, winter and spring, it will put on four productions for and with children, beginning with "Peter Pan, Jr.," which opens on October 18.  A "Family Fun Trio" of three short plays (based on the stories of "The Three Little Pigs," "The Ugly Duckling" and "Chicken Little") follows in January. The Grimm Brothers' "Rapunzel" is the February offering, and the 2014-2015 children's season will conclude in April with "Willy Wonka, Jr."

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