Theatre for Young Audiences

Adapted for the stage by Kevin Kling • Music by Richard Gray 
Based on the book Lyle, Lyle Crocodile and The House on East 88th Street by Bernard Waber

2010 revision and music composition commissioned by Seattle Children’s Theatre.

Who is the bravest, kindest, most wonderful crocodile in the whole, wide world? Why, Lyle, of course! Meet that cosmopolitan reptile with a fondness for Turkish caviar in this charming musical about what it means to be a good neighbor. Lyle lives on East 88^th Street with the Primm family and does what most well-to-do New York City crocodiles do: help around the house, play with the neighborhood children, go ice skating, and feed the pigeons. But when Mr. Grumps disapproves of our favorite crocodile, Lyle is sent to the zoo! Will Lyle be reunited with his family? Will Mr. Grumps change his mind about his scaly neighbor? Can Lyle win over Loretta the cat? Watch Lyle save the day in this beloved classic, Lyle the Crocodile, at MCT!

Produced by special arrangement with Plays for New Audiences

“Lyle, Lyle Crocodile” by Bernard Waber
Used by permission of Curtis Brown, Ltd.
Copyright © 1965

Based on the novel by E.B White and dramatized by Joseph Robinette

Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois.

All the enchanting characters are here: Wilbur, the irresistible young pig who desperately wants to avoid the butcher; Fern, a girl who understands what animals say to each other; Templeton, the gluttonous rat who can occasionally be talked into a good deed; and, most of all, the extraordinary spider, Charlotte, who proves to be “a true friend and a good writer.” Determined to save Wilbur, Charlotte begins her campaign with the “miracle” of her web in which she writes, “Some pig.” It’s the beginning of a victorious campaign which ultimately ends with the now-safe Wilbur doing what is most important to Charlotte. 

Performance Run Time: Approximately 1 hour without an Intermission

It’s a rainy, gloomy day and Boy is sick of doing math homework. So, he and his faithful dog Leroy sit down to watch a little TV. As they click through the channels, they come upon a show about dragons which teaches them a remarkable secret… dragons LOVE tacos! Suddenly, his house is full of hungry dragons ready for a taco party! But, when Boy unknowingly gives the dragons a certain spicy topping, their taco party gets out of hand. Will Boy and Leroy be able to get their house back in order before Mom gets home?

Performance Run Time: Approximately 45 minutes without an Intermission

Experience the beloved international bestseller and award-winning book – The Rainbow Fish – and its wonderful message of friendship and belonging. With shiny, multi-colored scales, Rainbow Fish is the most beautiful fish in all of the ocean, and the only one of his kind.  But when Rainbow Fish refuses to share his vibrant, shimmering scales, the whole ocean seems to turn against the vain creature.  Unhappy that no one adores him anymore, the Rainbow Fish seeks out the wise Octopus, who helps him learn that it’s far better to be admired for being kind than for being beautiful.

Performance Run Time: Approximately 45 minutes without an Intermission

A light-hearted, high-energy look at one eventful day in the life of fourth-grader Samantha, the new girl in town, who has lost her beloved cat, Corky. At the bus stop, Samantha meets three wacky new friends who welcome her into their class, which just happens to be studying the animal kingdom. Their search for essay topics takes them from a dinner table’s chicken thighs to the pasture of a bull not pleased to see visitors. A wayward wad of bubble gum, tuba practice and a sticky baby sister later, the busy day finally peaks with the rescue of Corky.

It’s a rainy, gloomy day and Boy is sick of doing math homework. So, he and his faithful dog Leroy sit down to watch a little TV. As they click through the channels, they come upon a show about dragons which teaches them a remarkable secret… dragons LOVE tacos! Suddenly, his house is full of hungry dragons ready for a taco party! But, when Boy unknowingly gives the dragons a certain spicy topping, their taco party gets out of hand. Will Boy and Leroy be able to get their house back in order before Mom gets home?

Based on the novel by E.B White and dramatized by Joseph Robinette

Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois.

All the enchanting characters are here: Wilbur, the irresistible young pig who desperately wants to avoid the butcher; Fern, a girl who understands what animals say to each other; Templeton, the gluttonous rat who can occasionally be talked into a good deed; and, most of all, the extraordinary spider, Charlotte, who proves to be “a true friend and a good writer.” Determined to save Wilbur, Charlotte begins her campaign with the “miracle” of her web in which she writes, “Some pig.” It’s the beginning of a victorious campaign which ultimately ends with the now-safe Wilbur doing what is most important to Charlotte. 

Performance Run Time: Approximately 1 hour without an Intermission

Are you your true self or who the world tells you to be? In Androcles and the Lion, famed fable writer Aesop reminds us that being kind is the heart of who we are, no matter what our circumstances. The Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) will present a fast-paced, funny version of Aesop’s classic story Sept 13-14, as part of its annual celebration of Arts in Education Week.

A singing mouse, an escaped slave, and a hungry lion form an unlikely trio of friends whose bond is put to the test by an evil emperor in this enchanting and heartwarming play.  When the evil and lonely emperor imprisons two of the companions and forces them to face off in the arena, it’s the tiny mouse who reminds them that friendships aren’t easily broken.

Tall tales, folktales, talking tales, noodles, whoppers, windies, stretchers — everyone has a different name for these stories.  Whatever you call them, America’s legends come to life in this lively, delightful award-winning play that will appeal to all ages.  When P.T. Barnum arrives in town with his traveling troupe, the mayor isn’t so sure Barnum’s on the level.  So the master showman agrees to give a sample of his wares.  What follows is knee slappin’, foot stompin’, rip roarin’ fun, as some of the best loved characters in American folklore come to life to show us their stories.  As P.T. Barnum might say, prepare to be amused, amazed, astounded, edified and infinitely entertained. 

In the kingdom of Middlefield, there is a tradition that when a princess celebrates her 16th birthday, she is tied to a rock, kidnapped by a dragon, rescued by a prince and lives happily ever after. But if the dragon is afraid to fight, and the princess is capable of rescuing herself (thank you very much), what happens then? Audiences will find out when they come to the MCT Center for the Performing Arts to see The Last of the Dragons, September 11-13, 2014.

In the kingdom of Middlefield, there is a tradition that when a princess celebrates her 16th birthday, she is tied to a rock, kidnapped by a dragon, rescued by a prince and lives happily ever after. But if the dragon is afraid to fight, and the princess is capable of rescuing herself (thank you very much), what happens then? Audiences will find out when they come to the MCT Center for the Performing Arts to see The Last of the Dragons, September 11-13, 2014.

In conjunction with Arts in Education Week, MCT, Inc. presents the children’s play Miss Nelson is Missing on Thursday, September 13 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 15 at 11:00 a.m. at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts. Based on the popular children’s book by Harry Allard and James Marshall, Miss Nelson is Missing tells the story of an elementary school teacher who can’t control her crazy classroom because she is just too nice. But when she disappears, her replacement is the hard-as-nails, detention-loving, recess-canceling, homework-overloading substitute teacher Viola Swamp. The kids suddenly realize how much they miss Miss Nelson and they’ll do anything (including hiring a private eye), to solve the mystery of her disappearance and bring her back. Many familiar faces from the MCT staff are participating in this production, including Don Mogstad and Eric Prim, who are responsible for all local children’s programs. Other staff members in the cast include Amy Ellis, Chelle Robinson, Don Collins, Dylan Wright, Kepler Correia, Kevin Harrington, Michelle Nigh-Mogstad and Victoria Larson. Tickets to Miss Nelson is Missing go on sale Tuesday, September 6.