The South Carolina Children’s Theatre has introduced a brand new pricing system to be more inclusive for all members of the community.
The South Carolina Children’s Theatre (SCCT) announced a new pay-what-you-can ticket pricing system for select shows in efforts to include all members of the community in their productions.
Pay What You Can Performances
“We believe everyone should have access to great theatre,” said the SCCT in their announcement on social media. “Ticket prices can prevent us from engaging with the widest possible audience, so we have been listening to our community, gathering feedback, and working hard to eliminate that barrier.”
This new system is the first time the SCCT has ever offered such a program in its history. They will be offering one Pay What You Can (PWYC) performance for each Main State show for a total of five shows for the 2022-23 season. The first one will be on Sunday, September 25th at 4:30 pm for the production of “Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus! The Musical!”.
All shows in the SCCT 2022-23 season is available on the SCCT website.
Reserving Your PWYC Ticket
The software that SCCT uses cannot accept anything lower than $1 a ticket for a PWYC performance so that’s the lowest you can pay. Normal tickets are around $20-$25.
To reserve your tickets to the September 25th performance at 4:30 pm, use this link at the SCCT website. You can put in what you can pay and reserve your tickets online ahead of time.
“We are excited to provide this new program to create opportunities for ALL patrons to experience the positive impact of our productions,” continued the SCCT announcement.
The SCCT has been a longtime sponsor of us at Kidding Around Greenville and we are just thrilled with this new program they are offering and hope that many families take advantage of it since the productions at SCCT are always just so stellar.
Would you like to enjoy a morning performance at the Peace Center with your preschool aged or home schooled child? Are you looking for fun and educational experiences to enjoy together, that are affordable? The Peace Center’s “Peace Passport Series” is the event you’ve been looking for, and we have all the information you’ll need to enjoy this program with your children.
What’s the Peace Passport Field Trip Program?
The Peace Passport Field trip Series is offered through the Peace Centers Community Impact program in the hopes that “By learning about the richness of cultural traditions, scientific discoveries, and works of art – in class and through live performances – students cultivate a global perspective that nurtures empathy and understanding.” Geared to children 3 – 12 years old, this collection of shows is something that parents can enjoy with their children while also learning something arts or STEM related. Shows include live music performances, international dance troupes, a peak onto the International Space Station with an astronaut, and more!
Offered to schools and the general public, this series is something our family has enjoyed in the past. When my son was younger I took him to a production of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Favorites”, by the Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia. The show used puppets and black lights to recreate some of Eric Carle’s most popular books. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and it appeared to be a hit with all the field trip groups in attendance also.
What’s coming up in the Peace Passport Series?
This year I’m looking forward to sharing this experience with my young daughter. The first show we have tickets for is especially close to my heart.
I’ll be taking my daughter and my mother to see Ballet Folklórico de México. A traditional Mexican dance troupe that’s been entertaining people for over 60 years, seeing them perform is on my bucket list. Tickets to their performances are usually expensive and hard to get, in my experience. Luckily, all the shows in the Peace Passport Series are only $10 a ticket. This is an amazing value, especially since there’s not a bad seat in the house, regardless of which venue you’re in.
Performances recommended for Pre-K through 2nd grade include: Women of the World, Ballet Folklórico de México, Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium, and the Villalobos Brothers.
One of the shows that will probably be a huge hit with kids and parents alike, is “Currents” by Mayumana. This show, created for the Jerusalem Lightshow was inspired by the historical Battle of Currents between Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla in their quest for finding energy sources for the world. I would compare it to a “Stomp” type show with loud music made from unlikely sources and high energy choreography. Videos from other performances can be found here if you are unsure how your child will react to this type sensory stimulation.
Not only are these performances made available at an affordable price, the Peace Center has also put together teacher resources and a recommended reading list to accompany each performance. A great resource for homeschooling families that attend. All of the companion resources can be found here.
Take advantage of Peace Passport Series
A complete list of all the shows offered in this years series and online ticket sales can be found here.
The Peace Center
South Main Street, Greenville
864.467.3000
Which shows are you most excited about sharing with your children?
Looking for family fun this week? South Carolina Children’s Theatre’s Madagascar, A Musical Adventure is playing at the Peace Center’s Gunter Theatre. My son and I saw the show this morning and we’re going to tell you all about this fun performance filled with music, comedy, dancing and fun for all.
Thank you to our sponsor the South Carolina Children’s Theatre for providing tickets to this performance so we could review this great show for our readers!
The Story
If you’ve seen the Dream Works Animation Motion Picture, Madagascar the story line of SCCT’s Madagascar, A Musical Adventure will be very familiar. Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Gloria the hippo and the hilariously hypochondriac Melman the giraffe are on display at the Central Park Zoo in New York City. Spurred on by the ideas of those famous plotting penguins, Marty decides to head via train for the wilds of Connecticut. However, as his friends follow to rescue him they all get a little more than they had bargained for as they end up on a ship. Thanks to the penguins meddling, the animals find themselves washed up on a beach in Madagascar where they learn being in the wild is a lot different than the zoo. They meet the famous lemur King Julian, enjoy some dancing and hospitality. But what Alex the lion really wants is a steak, not seaweed on a stick. And the more hungry he gets, the more his friend Marty, the zebra, starts to look like a steak.
The Characters
My son’s favorite character in this show was Melman the giraffe. His constant remarks about MRIs, colds, sciatica nerve pain and more really added many layers of humor to the performance. We also liked his costume and the platform shoes that made him just a bit taller than his friends. The costumes in general were pretty creative, and if truth be told, the costumes, lights and sets was the thing that my son talked about the most after the show. He’s 8 years-old and loved to figure out how things work. That just goes to show you, there’s something for everyone at SCCT’s productions!
We also really enjoyed the penguins and King Julian’s “I Like to Move It” song. I remembered this song most from the New Year’s Eve Countdown Netflix puts up each year featuring King Julian. Because my kids don’t just watch it once to ring in the New Year. We have to watch over and over and over, because they think it is so funny. Anyway, the choreography for this dance was really fun, and they even performed it again at the end of the show and invited the audience to stand up and dance, too.
Who should see Madagascar A Musical Adventure?
We think children of all ages would enjoy this show. The performance lasts about an hour with no intermission, so if your young child would have difficulty sitting that long, this might not be the best show for them. Also, a mom note: The dialogue in the play uses, “What the heck!” several times which is not a phrase allowed in my house. Realizing all parents are different, with different rules and expectations, I just wanted to point that out.
Want to go?
The South Carolina Children’s Theatre is performing Madagascar at the Peace Center’s Gunter Theatre on the following dates. You can purchase tickets here. They cost $18 for children and $27 for adults.
June 17th, 1:30 pm
June 17th, 5:30 pm
June 23rd, 10:00 am
June 23rd, 1:30 pm
June 24th, 1:30 pm
Have you seen a South Carolina Children’s Theatre production?
South Carolina Children’s Theatre is about to kick off their next performance, Madagascar: A Musical Adventure. They have a long history of great shows put on, and often produced, by local kids. Adults and kids alike have loved SCCT shows for years and this one is sure to be no exception! And be sure to read to the end of this article for your shot at a pair of tickets to see the opening performance on June 16th!
Thank you to the South Carolina Children’s Theatre for supporting Kidding Around by sponsoring this giveaway!
The Story
Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria, the hip hip Hippo and, of course, those hilarious plotting penguins bound onto the stage in a musical adventure of a lifetime. Based on the smash DreamWorks animated motion picture, this production will captivate your heart from start to finish.
Dates & Times
June 16th
10:00 am
June 16th
1:30 pm
June 17th
1:30 pm
June 17th
5:30 pm
June 23rd
10:00 am
June 23rd
1:30 pm
June 24th
1:30 pm
The Location
Peace Center, Gunter Theatre
300 S. Main Street, Greenville
Tickets start at $18.00. Click here to purchase yours!
The Giveaway
One lucky Kidding Around reader is going to win a pair of tickets to see Madagascar A Musical Adventure at Gunter Theatre on June 16, 2018 at 10:00 am.
This giveaway starts now and ends on June 1st. Good luck!
You must be 18 or older and live in the USA to enter this giveaway.
You must use a valid email address to enter this giveaway.
One entry per person per day.
We will contact the winner via the email address provided within three [3] days of the giveaway ending. The winner will have three [3] days (72 hours) to respond via email. If the winner does not respond within the three [3] days (72 hours), the prize will be forfeited and another winner chosen. Directions for claiming the prize will be given via email. A valid photo ID and/or mailing address may be required.
For a complete list of Kidding Around Greenville SC’s giveaway policies and terms and conditions, see the Kidding Around Greenville SC policy page. By entering this giveaway, you agree to comply with Kidding Around Greenville SC’s terms and conditions.
If you are unfamiliar with the series, they are a series of juvenile chapter books about the adventures of a boy named Stanley who suddenly becomes flat. Due to his flatness, Stanley is able to travel around the world (by mail!) and meet all sorts of people and even save the day.
In this stage production, the audience gets to see how Stanley becomes flat, as well as his travels to California where he becomes a star, Hawaii where he stars in a movie, and Paris where he catches an art thief. What is there not to love?
What Makes the Play So Special
While the play did follow the plot of the books closely, my son and I loved that they turned this into a musical adventure. There are fourteen songs in the one-hour show – so they sing a lot. And, they sing well! The songs are silly and upbeat, and they help the plot to move along quickly. The actors are super talented, and they bring the show to life with their big voices, silly mannerisms, and dance steps.
One worry my son had before the show was how they would make Stanley “flat.” And, as his mom and a reader of the books, I was also unsure about how they would make this happen on stage. Well, we had no reason to fear! With some creative costume choices, it was very apparent to the audience that Stanley was flat.
While the set is very basic, the few added special effects were excellent. For instance, the whole fiasco begins when Stanley and his brother wish on a shooting star. One of the show’s special effects includes what seems to be a shooting star fly across the top of the stage. Additionally, there is a hilarious scene where Flat Stanley is flown as a kite and ends up in a tree. When just the head of the actor popped out of a tree on the set with a flat body and little hands, even the adults were cracking up!
The plain set also encourages children to use their imaginations. For instance, as Flat Stanley travels around the world, he goes by mail. This is because he is flat, so he can fold up into an envelope and be mailed for the price of a postage stamp. To make this happen on the stage, a simple envelope soars from one end of the stage to the other.
What Ages Will Enjoy It?
While my son was already familiar with Flat Stanley from the book series, your kids will love it even if they have no idea about the books. This is because the play begins where the books begin, so the audience learns the whole story. My son is seven, and he understood all the jokes, as well as the references to Star Wars and Harry Potter. However, I saw plenty of kids who were younger who sat and were engaged through the entire show – probably because of the upbeat songs and silliness.
With that being said, I don’t think I’d take babies or little ones under two years old to this one. It is a one-hour show start to finish without an intermission, so unless your child can sit for that duration, you may want to wait until they are a little older.
My Son’s Review
“You should go see it because Flat Stanley can travel in the mail, and he’s very cool (and awesome). The show was very good. I liked the part in the art museum where Flat Stanley pretends to be a picture and catches the robber. I give it 100 stars! It was super duper good!” – Knox, 7 years old
Have you ever been to a SC Children’s Theatre production at 2nd stage? This was our first time and I was pleasantly surprised. If you’re wanting to introduce your children to theater, this is the perfect place. The atmosphere was very comfortable and fun. The Kroc Center auditorium is easily accessible from Academy Street and there is plenty of parking. Seating is open, and arriving 15 minutes early would be a good idea.
Thank you to our sponsor the South Carolina Children’s Theatre for hosting us for this review.
We loved Dragons Love Tacos
Second stage is wonderfully comfortable and delightfully perfect for young children. In fact, in front of the stage on the floor were some rugs for the children to sit on and be right in front of the action. The children loved it and there were several times when the actors interacted with them making it an even more memorable experience. One of the best parts about this production is that the teachers at the Children’s Theatre are the actors who play the dragons!
My 11-year-old son would like to share his review with you. Judging from his constant laughs and smiles, he thoroughly enjoyed it.
“Dragons Love Tacos was hilarious. It kept my attention the whole time. My favorite part was when the house burned down, but don’t worry, the dragons came back to fix it. I loved the dragons’ costumes. They were bright and fun to look at. The kids that were acting were amazing, and it made me want to be in a play some day. For my first time at a 2nd stage play, I think it was pretty cool.”
You’re in luck, because Dragons Love Tacos runs a little longer. The schedule and more information can be found here. Don’t forget to check out other productions from SC Children’s Theatre while there.
See Dragons Love Tacos
Dates & Times
April 20th at 6:00 pm
April 21st at 11:00 am
April 21st at 3:00 pm
Tickets are $9.50 each and can be purchased here.
Location
The Salvation Army Kroc Center
424 Westfield Street
Greenville, SC
Do your kids love seeing SC Children’s Theatre productions?
