Content Advisories- Community Series

Rated PG-13 – Parental Guidance Recommended

From Victor Hugo’s 1830s gothic novel, black & white films of the 1930s and the animated Disney film of 1996 comes a tragic, yet hopeful story of Quasimodo. Banished to live as the bell ringer in the Notre Dame tower in Paris because of his physical deformities, he lives as an outcast.  One day he ventures outside, but is ridiculed by everyone except the lovely Esmerelda, who pleads for mercy towards Quasimodo. Quasimodo’s struggle for acceptance and love may find him to be an unlikely hero.

Although this show is inspired by the 1996 Disney cartoon, it is largely adapted from the Victor Hugo novel and therefore contains some subject matter that may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

Trigger Warnings:

This is a show with larger messages about acceptance and compassion for those who are different. The story contains much hatred, prejudice, cruelty, and persecution of individuals with physical differences and groups of people (in this story specifically, the Romani people) to convey the importance of kindness and tolerance in a world without much of it. Some of the verbal and physical cruelty and slurs may be triggering to some audience members.

There is more than one character who is held against their will or imprisoned, whether physically bound and gagged, locked up, or kept imprisoned through manipulation and gaslighting.

There is a character who is sexually assaulted which may be triggering to some audience members.

Religion and religious leaders are sometimes depicted as cruel, punishing, and villainous, but likewise, the kinder, more compassionate side of religion is also depicted. One character returns from war and has a few moments of PTSD flashbacks.

Language:

There is a lot of talk about “hell” and “damning people to hell”. The word “whore” is used a few times.

There are several cruel phrases used to refer to the Romani people and to Quasimodo and Esmerelda specifically. They are called “vermin”, “dogs”, “monsters”, etc.

Drugs & Alcohol:

There are a handful of scenes in and around taverns and brothels where people are drinking.

Violence:

There is quite a lot of violence in this story.

One character considers killing an infant.

Several characters die from tragic or violent means.

There is a violent mob that uses physical cruelty and mockery to torture someone.

A group of soldiers ransack a city on a manhunt, burning buildings and threatening citizens.

There are sword fights and stabbings.

A character is tied to a pyre to be set on fire.

Two characters have nooses put around their necks.

Sexual Content:

There are moments depicting prostitution and brothels.

One character lusts intensely after another, even going so far as to threaten her with compliance to his wishes or death.

There is a sexual assault.

Rated PG – Parental Guidance Suggested

Not every popular comic strip makes the leap from page to stage, but then not every orphan living in “N.Y.C.” is named Annie!  Winning hearts on “Easy Street” in New York City all the way to the FDR White House, Annie is a story of how a “Hard Knock Life” can become a hopeful “Tomorrow” if you remember you’re “Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile.” Even during the Depression, this story manages to deliver hope in the form of a young girl full of determined, unrelenting optimism.

Trigger Warnings:

Overall, Annie is a heartwarming story about grit and optimism in the face of adversity. Annie and her friends demonstrate courage and perseverance in tough situations. So, there must be some darkness to show the light.

Miss Hannigan, who runs the run-down orphanage where Annie lives, is cruel to the children. There are other seedy adult characters who try to kidnap Annie. These plot points could be triggering for some audience members.

Annie takes place during America’s Great Depression, so there are moments that portray some of the hardships of that period in the country for those with low-income juxtaposed with those more affluent.

Language:

Mostly, the bad language is the adorable slang of the 30s in NYC (“leapin’ lizards”, “knuckle-sandwich”, “dumbbell”, etc.). However, some characters use some of the tamer adult language here and there.

Drugs & Alcohol:

Mrs. Hannigan is an alcoholic and spends much of the show drinking or drunk.

Violence:

Mrs. Hannigan is rather rough with the orphans.

At one point, a tent city is broken up by the police.

Sexual Content:

Nothing to report here!

Rated PG-13 – Parental Guidance Recommended

It’s the 1950s and stage actors George and Charlotte Hay know the spotlight on them is fading as they desperately try to hold on to their fame.  Each with differing visions of how their lives will play out, the revelation of George’s affair with a young starlet and a fateful call from the famous Frank Capra may just revive their careers as it ends their marriage.

Trigger Warnings:

This is a theatrical farce filled with physical comedy, so there will be many surprises: falls, loud noises, cannons, gunshots, etc. which may be triggering to some audience members.

A few of the characters (one in particular) are very verbally abusive to the other characters. The relationship between the lead actor of the fictional company and his mother-in-law is quite tumultuous, and he calls her some cruel things. It is meant to be comedic but may be triggering for some audience members.

Language:

There is a fair amount of adult language in this play as well as using some religious phrases casually or disrespectfully which may be offensive to some audience members.

Drugs & Alcohol:

The bulk of the action in the second act of the play revolves around one character being very intoxicated and wreaking havoc.

Violence:

There is a fair amount of violence in the play, but it is always filtered through a comedic lens. The play is about actors doing a play, so the dramatics are rampant with sword fights, extreme and violent threats (such as “pull your heart out through your mouth”), and threats of suicide.

Sexual Content:

There are several affairs going on in the story, one including the news of a lovechild.

Some of the characters kiss, “neck”, or begin to undress each other before being interrupted.

One character is in his boxers for some of the time, but it is meant to be comedic in nature rather than sexual.

There is a recurring joke in the play involving a long, rubber nose.

Rated PG – Parental Guidance Suggested

The only thing standing between war and peace is misfit Percy Jackson, the half-blood son of the Greek god Poseidon. As he begins to learn about his new powers, his new friends, and his new identity, he is sent on a quest to find the stolen lightning bolt of the mighty Zeus. He must battle mythical monsters and outsmart some angry gods on his journey to catch the thief and finally find where he belongs.

Trigger Warnings:

A large part of the plot is about children navigating their feelings of being abandoned by their parents, which may be triggering to some audience members.

The production requires technical elements such as smoke, flashing lighting effects, etc. There is an explosion and other sudden loud noises. There are also surprise attacks by scary mythical creatures!

Language:

There are only one or two moments of very tame adult language.

Drugs & Alcohol:

Nothing to report here!

Violence:

There are battles, sword fights, knife fights, and villains who kill or try to kill some of the characters throughout the story, but the violence is more magical in nature than overly graphic or intense.

Sexual Content:

There are hints at a budding romance between two characters, but it is very innocent.

Rated PG-13- Parental Guidance Recommended

Mamma Mia, here we go again! Back by popular demand, the music by Sweden’s pop group ABBA and the unlikely story created from it will rock Missoula once again. Days before her wedding on a luscious Greek island, Sophie is determined to learn the identity of her father. This extremely popular musical contains adult themes and situations that may not be suitable for young children.

Trigger Warnings:

Nothing to report here!

Language:

There are a few moments of adult language, but nothing too bad.

Drugs & Alcohol:

Several characters drink (it’s a wedding weekend!)

Violence:

Nothing to report here!

Sexual Content:

The plot revolves around a young woman trying to figure out which of three men is her father, so there are several mentions of and allusions to sex. There is also a fair amount of sexual innuendo.