The EQT Children’s Theater Series
by Janet Jonus photo courtesy of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust/Daniel Jeremy Photography
The Magic School Bus comes to Pittsburgh! Join Mrs. Frizzle and her class in a fun musical about the universe, friendship, and teamwork. The Magical School Bus is at the Byham Sunday January 5th at 200PM and Monday January 6th at 1045AM. See the Magic School Bus at local stops throughout the region from January 8th through the 12th. Tickets are $12 per person. The Magic School Bus is a presentation of the EQT Children’s Theater Series, a professional Children’s Theater Series for children ages 3 and older. For tickets: https://trustarts.org/production/65854/the-magic-school-bus-lost-in-the-solar-system
The 2019-2020 Children’s Theater Series presents national touring companies in professional theater with shows for children three years and older. This year’s series features five plays perfect for younger children. The season starts out with Judy Moody and Stink in November, The Magic School Bus in January, Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium Adventure in February, Diary of a Wombat in March, and Doodle Pop at the EQT Children’s Theater Festival in May.
The Children’s Theater Series premiers each show in the city, usually at the Byham Theater, and then the show moves to locations in the suburbs, often at local Middle and High Schools, making theater for children truly accessible to everyone.
The Children’s Theater Series is perfect for younger children. The plays are 60 minutes long or less, without an intermission. The Byham Theater is an ideal first “real” theater experience for kids. It is a beautiful theater with velvet seats, a soaring arch, and a balcony but it is also much smaller than its larger cousins, Heinz Hall and The Benedum Center. The Series itself is for younger children 3+. Everyone will be there with kids. The plays are for younger children, with themes and staging aimed at the Preschool though Primary School crowd. The plays often have puppets, movement, projection, and audience participation creating an interactive experience for the young audience. The community shows are at local Middle Schools and High Schools. Tickets are only $12 per person, with ticket packages available at a discount.
The Plays
Judy Moody and Stink
Judy and her younger brother “Stink” are adept at getting into trouble. Judy decides to become famous while Stink tries to get the coveted Golden Clothespin Award. Based on the popular Children’s Book Series by Megan McDonald. The play is 55 minutes long with no intermissions.
Downtown at the Byham Sunday November 17 at 200PM and Monday November 18 at 1015AM
East at the Greensburg-Salem Middle School on Wednesday November 20 at 700PM
North at the Marshall Middle School on Wednesday November 21st at 530 & 700PM
West at Hopewell High School on November 22nd at 700PM
South at Mt. Lebanon High School on Saturday November 23rd at 1100AM and 200PM
North at Seneca Valley Middle School on Sunday November 24th at 200PM
The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System
Take a ride on The Magic School Bus with Mrs. Frizzle and her class as they get lost in space. Can they work together to make it back home and save the day in this musical adaptation of the popular book series. The play is 60 minutes long with no intermissions.
Downtown at the Byham Sunday January 5 at 200PM and Monday January 6 at 1015AM
East at the Greensburg-Salem Middle School on January 8 at 700PM
North at the Marshall Middle School on Wednesday January 9th at 530 & 700PM
West at Hopewell High School on January 10th at 700PM
South at Mellon Middle School on January 11th at 1100AM and 200PM
North at Seneca Valley Intermediate High School on Sunday January 12th at 200PM
Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium Adventure
Larger than life puppets, actors, technology and science explore the deepest parts of the ocean where prehistoric animals once dominated the seas. This is an exclusive engagement at the Byham Theater on February 23rd at 200 & 600PM. The show is 60 minutes long without an intermission.
Diary of a Wombat
Mothball, Australia’s “naughtiest” wombat, decides she wants to live the good life. She adopts some humans and trains them to properly care for her, all the while causing chaos. This is a 60 minute show without an intermission.
North at Seneca Valley Intermediate High School on Sunday March 22nd at 200PM
East at the Greensburg-Salem High School on March 25th at 700PM
North at the Marshall Middle School on Wednesday March 26th at 530 & 700PM
West at Hopewell High School on March 27th at 700PM
South at Mellon Middle School on March 28th at 1100AM and 200PM
Downtown at the Byham Sunday March 29th at 200PM
Doodle POP
The season ends at the EQT Children’s Theater Festival with Doodle POP. Two artists create artwork on a large, on-stage screen. Catch the show at the Byham on May 16th at 200PM. Tickets will be $12 per person, and will go on sale closer to the Festival.
For more information and to purchase tickets – https://trustarts.org/pct_home/events/series/childrens-theater-series
