Disney productions, holiday events beckon
From family-friendly musicals and concerts to inspiring or amusing one-act plays, central Ohio’s presenters, theater companies and music groups plan to appeal to the young and young at heart with a variety of accessible age-appropriate shows next season.
Among the familiar characters that kids may already recognize from stories or TV shows: Peppa Pig; a spider named Charlotte; the L.O.L. Surprise Dolls (brought to life with the help of hologram technology); Disney princesses; Santa, an elf, forgotten toys; and the teenage descendants of Disney villains such as Cruella De Vil; Jafar and Maleficent. Meanwhile, the holiday youth shows will be ecumenical, celebrating stories related to both Christmas and Hanukkah.
‘Charlotte’s Web’
When: Sept. 17-26
Where: Hilliard Civic & Cultural Arts Center, 5425 Center St., Hilliard
What: Hilliard Arts Council will present a “By Kids, For Kids” production of the one-act play adapted from the children’s novel about the friendship between a spider named Charlotte and a young pig named Wilber whose life she is trying to save. Suitable for all ages.
Admission: $15, or $12 for senior citizens, $5 for children
Information: 1-888-980-2787 or visit www.hilliardartscouncil.org
‘Peppa Pig’s Adventure’
When: 2 p.m. Oct. 16
Where: Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St. What: A live musical adventure starring Peppa Pig and her friends, and featuring flashing lights, haze and confetti.
Admission: $29 to $69, with children younger than 2 free (if seated on parents’ laps)
Information: 614-469-0939, capa.com
‘L.O.L. Surprise’
When: 6 p.m. Nov. 9
Where: Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St. What: The L.O.L. Surprise Dolls sing, dance and appear on stage via “groundbreaking hologram technology.” Admission: $34.45 to $65.95 Information: 614-469-0939, capa.com
‘Disney’s Descendants: The Musical’
When: Nov. 20-21
Where: Dublin Community Recreation Center, 5600 Post Road, Dublin
What: Abbey Theater of Dublin presents a Youth Artists production, with 30 actors ages 9 to 16, of the 75-minute one-act musical comedy based on the Disney Channel original movies about the troublemaking teenage children of Disney villains Cruella De Vil, the Evil Queen, Jafar and Maleficent who must choose between the paths of good and evil in their magical kingdom.
Admission: $10
Information: 614-410-4550, dublinohiousa.gov/abbey-theater
‘Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins’
When: Nov. 27 to Dec. 12
Where: Riffe Center’s Studio Two Theatre, 77 S. High St.
What: CATCO presents a Theatre for Young Audiences production of the oneact play with music, adapted by Michael Dailey and composer-lyricist Jacob Combs from Eric Kimmel’s classic 1989 children’s picture book, about a Jewish trickster-folk-hero who challenges and defeats through guile a series of goblins over the eight nights of the Jewish holiday
of Hanukkah.
Admission: tickets, to be announced, will go on sale this fall. Information: 614-469-0939, www.catco.org
‘Disney Princesses – the Concert’
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 7
Where: Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St. What: Four Disney princesses, plus one prince and a musical director, sing and share behind-the-scenes stories. Admission: $31.50 to $56.50 Information: 614-469-0939, capa.com
‘The Land of Forgotten Toys’
When: Dec. 16-18
Where: Dublin Community Recreation Center, 5600 Post Road, Dublin
What: The Abbey Theater of Dublin presents a multi-generational central Ohio premiere of a one-act children’s holiday musical about a girl working in a toy store who is magically transported to a legendary land where they meet an elf and an Icicle Giant and learn that the forgotten toys’ flaws are actually keys to their success.
Admission: $10
Information: 614-410-4550,
Before you go
As of press time, here at the COVID policies at area venues:
• CAPA venues (Palace Theater and Riffe Center): Patrons are required to wear masks starting Sept. 1 (all performing-arts venues except the Mccoy Center for the Arts, where masks are strongly recommended).
• CATCO: Check the website for updates, catco.org
• Abbey Theater of Dublin (Dublin Community Recreation Center: Masks recommended
• Hilliard Civic & Cultural Arts Center: Check the website for updates, www.hilliardartscouncil.org
dublinohiousa.gov/abbey-theater
‘Santa and the Symphony’
When: 4 p.m. Dec. 18
Where: Mccoy Center for the Arts, 100 W. Dublin-granville Rd., New Albany What: Sensory-friendly holiday concert by the New Albany Symphony Admission: $9
Information: 614-469-0939, capa.com
‘Luchadora’
When: Feb. 17 to March 6
Where: Columbus Performing Arts Center’s Van Fleet Theatre, 549 Franklin Ave. What: CATCO will present a Theatre for Young Audiences production of Alvaro Saar Rios’ play about a Wisconsin grandmother sharing memories of growing up in 1960s Texas as a Mexican American teen tomboy fascinated by Mexican wrestling (lucha libre) who secretly trains with the help of a magical mask maker. Admission: Tickets on sale this fall Information: 614-469-0939, www.catco. org