Looking for a creatively perfect gift for the holidays and beyond? Curate a season of theater for your favorite fan. Just pick up tickets for local shows to make a one-of-a-kind slate of date nights, outings or girls- and guys-nights-out. Need a little help? We’ve put together three themed seasons:
For the Traditionalist
For the Adventurous
And this one, For the Kids (and Sophisticated Adults).
A Christmas Carol
Simpich Showcase Marionette Theatre
Nov. 18–Dec. 31, 2015
Enter the intimate style of traditional European puppet theatre—with an unusual twist. Puppet master David Simpich portrays Dickens on stage, and the unforgettable creations of this literary master are brought to life on the ends of marionette strings. The Ghost of Jacob Marley, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and Mr. Fezziwig and are some of the more than 20 supporting players who live and breathe on stage as Dickens provides movement and vivid voice characterizations.
simpich.com
Mr. Guffaw’s Christmas
Millibo Art Theatre
Dec. 5–20, 2015
Mr. Guffaw, the silly and bubble-loving clown, celebrates the season with all-new, fantastic tricks and hilarious jokes. It’s a perfect way to get into the holiday spirit.
themat.org
Wanda and the Wave
Millibo Art Theatre
Feb. 6–7, 2016
The Public Works Theatre Company combines inventive puppetry with live music to retell this charming story of Wanda and her damp life beneath a hovering wave. The story is adapted for the stage by Sondra Blanchard with music by Paul Weidig, and it is created with grant funding from the Jim Henson Foundation.
themat.org
Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
Feb. 13–March 13, 2016
Mo Willems’ popular “Elephant & Piggie” series for beginning readers goes musical—and it’s back at the FAC by popular demand. Gerald the elephant is careful. Piggie just wants to play! In this vaudevillian romp, Elephant and Piggie sing and dance their way through plenty of pachydermal peril and swiney suspense. Perfect for the elementary school set.
Ivy & Bean: The Musical
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
April 27–May 8, 2016
Based on The New York Times best-selling children’s book series, this is the story of an unexpected friendship between two very different second-graders. When they become a team, there’s mischief and laughter at every turn, along with lessons about the challenges and joy of family, friendship and love.
csfineartscenter.org
The Incredible Circus Millibo
Millibo Art Theatre
May 7–22, 2016
The annual family-friendly circus extravaganza is back with all new performances, dazzling physical feats, fantastic magic tricks, stilts, clowns, acrobats and much more. Definitely a celebration you don’t want to miss.
themat.org
Looking for a different style on stage? Try
DIY Theater for the Traditionalist
DIY Theater for the Adventurous
Note: Because Theatre ’d Art and Star Bar theater companies’ complete seasons hadn’t been announced when this article published, they are not reflected here.
