SpongeBob SquarePants, taco-loving dragons, a clever boy with a giant peach, and a book-loving girl star in Mila’s four top picks for the New Year. Mila Vincent, our six-year-old theater critic, is looking forward to delicious and fun theater choices with her grandmother, Johannah Luza. She thinks your young theater fans will enjoy them, too!
Above photo: Ania Lyons and Ethan Rodriguez-Mullins | Photo by Karen Almond ~
Circo Metropolis Holiday Show
Created by Tiffany ‘Slappy’ Riley and Dick Monday
Mila loved The Laughter League’s Circo Metropolis featuring Slappy and Monday at Dallas Children’s Theater. Now she’s excited to see her favorite clowns again in a new show, this time with a holiday theme under a Bavarian Big Top circus tent at Samuell-Grand Amphitheater. Married clowns Tiffany ‘Slappy’ Riley and Dick Monday will lead a cast of circus friends specializing in mirth and mayhem. Recommended for ages two and older.
Where: Samuell-Grand Amphitheater | 1500 Tenison
Parkway, Dallas
When: Now through Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022
Cost: Adults, $20 | Kids, 2-17, $15
The SpongeBob Musical
Book by Kyle Jarrow, conceived by Tina Landau, adapted from the animated show created by Stephen Hillenburg, produced by Nickelodeon.
Support local teens as they put on shows that will delight your grandkids and you. The Wylie Theatre program of Wylie High School, which won four awards in the 2020–2021 Schmidt and Jones High School Musical Awards, puts on the popular Broadway take on the animated TV series about a sea sponge and his friends as they try to save the world from evil Plankton
and features songs by John Legend, Cyndi Lauper, Sara Bareilles, Steven Tyler, and more.
Where: Wylie High School | 2550 E. FM. 544, Wylie
When: Thursday, Jan. 20–Saturday, Jan. 22
Web: www.wylietheatre.com
James and the Giant Peach
Music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Book by Timothy Allen McDonald.
Eaton High School, which won Betty Buckley Awards for best musical, best actor, best supporting actor, and best student actor last year, presents an adaptation of the magical Roald Dahl fantasy about a boy who sails away on a giant peach. A perfect chance to see a great show and support local teens.
Where: V.E. Eaton High School | 1350 Eagle Blvd., Haslet
When: Thursday, Jan. 20–Sunday, Jan. 23
Web: https://sites.google.com/nisdtx.org/eatontheatre/home
Dragons Love Tacos
By Ernie Nolan, adapted from the book by Adam Rubin, Illustrated by Daniel Salmieri.
A boy and his dog are watching a TV show about dragons when they discover dragons love tacos. Next thing we know, they’re throwing a taco party for a flock of dragons, which leads to fiery and funny surprises. Dallas Children’s Theater produces the adaptation of this best-selling picture book by special arrangement with Plays for Young Audiences.
Recommended for age four and up.
Where: Dallas Children’s Theater | 5938 Skillman St., Dallas
When: Sunday, Jan. 23–Sunday, Feb. 20
Web: www.dct.org
Matilda the Musical
Music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and book by Dennis Kelly
Matilda, a brave and precocious five-year-old who loves to read, learns to stand up to her cruel parents and mean headmistress to save herself, her kind teacher, and her schoolmates in this clever comedy hit that won five Tony Awards, including Best Book of a Musical. Adapted from the novel by Roald Dahl and recommended for age six and up.
Where: Casa Manana Theatre | 3101 W. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth
When: Friday, Feb. 4–Sunday, Feb. 13
Web: www.casamanana.org
