Content Advisories

Rated PG-13 – Parental Guidance Recommended

This musical should not exist. Born of unspeakable tragedy, it delivered tremendous hope and healing to a world desperately in need of it. Come From Away is the true story of 38 passenger planes carrying 7,000 people, all planning to be anywhere in the world other than Gander, Newfoundland on September 11, 2001.

During the FAA airspace shutdown, Gander’s 10,000 residents proved that human kindness knows no bounds as they fed, housed, and comforted their unexpected guests for 5 days on the rocky island of Newfoundland. Their homes, kitchens, churches, restaurants, and bars were flung open, greeting them with, “Welcome to the Rock” for those who come from away. Nominated for numerous Tony and Grammy Awards among others, it contains mature themes of fear and death and some adult language. Recommended acceptable for ages 13+.

Click here to read the Common Sense Media review of the filmed stage production.

Trigger Warnings:
This musical is based on real people and real events. While no imagery or portrayal of the terrorism on September 11^th is shown, the characters navigate many difficult emotions as they experience those events, the memory of which may be triggering to some audience members. Some characters learn of deaths of loved ones, missing loved ones, etc.

While most of this story is about the hopeful, communal, compassionate side of humanity, there are moments of “fear of the other” and religious or cultural persecution or fear of persecution.

Language:
There is a fair amount of adult language in this play as well as the use of some religious phrases casually or colloquially.

Drugs & Alcohol:
Many of the characters enjoy drinks (sometimes several) on the planes or in scenes that take place in bars. There are mentions of prescription drugs and smoke breaks.

Violence:
While there is no onstage violence in this show, the violence of and fear from the September 11^th attacks are elements of the story.

Sexual Content:
There are a few moments of sexual content (though usually based in comedy). A few characters flash the audience wearing bras. One character has a vivid imagination that leads to some erotic romance novel-esque comedic moments. There is a budding romance storyline that stays relatively tame and sweet. There are some references to things being “sexy”, skinny dipping, etc. One character tells a mature joke (that is mostly innuendo).

Rated G – General Audiences

Kept away inside the walls of their castle in the kingdom of Arendelle, princesses Anna and Elsa have only each other. But once she’s crowned queen, a secret that Elsa has been keeping bursts into the open, and her dangerous powers trap Arendelle in eternal winter. After Elsa flees into the mountains, Anna sets off on an epic (and chilly) journey to find her. Along the way, she finds Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven, and the carefree snowman Olaf. Can they help Anna bring her sister home? Based on the Academy Award-winning animated film, Disney’s Frozen is a beautiful story about how the warmth of friendship can melt even the iciest heart. “For the first time in forever” see Disney’s magical musical that took the world by snowstorm and wouldn’t “Let it Go”!

Trigger Warnings:
This story begins with loss. Two characters are isolated from each other and feel loneliness. There is a tragic event that results in loss of parents.

While ultimately a story about kindness and acceptance, there are moments that show the darker side of humanity: fear of others, mob mentality, treasonous behavior, etc. that may be triggering or scary to some audience members.

Language:
Nothing to report! (Though they do say “butt” a few times.)

Drugs & Alcohol:
There is a very comedic song where the characters celebrate and make several toasts with “gloog”.

Violence:
Elsa’s powers are not always under her control, and she badly injures her sister a few times.

Sexual Content:
There is a romantic storyline that includes some kissing, etc. One character changes clothes in front of another (with undergarments on). In the same comedic song with the “groog”, several characters are comedically costumed as “nude” while dancing around a sauna.

Rated R – Restricted

Please Be Advised: This production has an R rating for adult language and difficult content which may be triggering for some audience members.

High school senior Evan Hansen suffers from mental health issues of intense anxiety and loneliness. On advice from his therapist, he writes positive letters to himself beginning with “Dear Evan Hansen”. One is accidentally sent to a fellow student named Connor who struggles with drug use and suicidal ideology, leading to unintended consequences after Connor commits suicide. Evan’s life is laid bare after his inner struggles become public. The story is both painful and hopeful because it resonates beyond teenagers to veterans suffering from PTSD and those who simply feel alone in the world. The song “You Will Be Found” is considered an anthem of hope, and it’s no wonder this modern musical is the winner of numerous Tony, Grammy, and Olivier awards. Rated R for language and themes of drug use, suicide, and mental health struggles, it offers the chance for conversation and connection.

Click here to read the Common Sense Media review of the stage-to-screen adaptation (though please note there are many differences between the film version and the staged version).

Trigger Warnings:
Dear Evan Hansen is ultimately a story about the search for acceptance, belonging, and community. There are many comedic moments throughout. However, the story deals heavily with mature themes such as grief and loss, mental health struggles, anxiety, suicide, drug use, bullying, and abandonment. Any one of these topics may be triggering to some audience members.

Language:
There is a great deal of adult language in this show.

Drugs & Alcohol:
There is a storyline about one character’s drug use and addiction. While no moments of drug use are shown, there are mentions of being high, smoking pot/crack, going to rehab, raiding liquor cabinets, etc.
In one scene, the adult characters share a bottle of wine.

Violence:
There is a very prominent storyline about self-harm, though it is not depicted onstage.

One character violently pushes another to the ground.

There is a comment about someone being “school shooter chic”.

Sexual Content:
There is a fair amount of sexual content in this show. There is a romantic storyline that is relatively tame, but includes kissing onstage and implied offstage intimacy.

One high school character has a particularly crude sense of humor and makes several remarks about sexual acts.

Rated PG – Parental Guidance Suggested

Steel = strength and Magnolias = dignity… What fitting descriptors for the women of Chinquapin Parish, Louisiana—the true Steel Magnolias of the 1980s. Weekly visits to Truvy’s Beauty Salon provide a place to share their lives, loves (“If he’s trying to drive me crazy, it’s too late”), town gossip, and concerns for the health of M’Lynn’s daughter Shelby, a diabetic. Playwright Robert Harling wrote the story in 1987 as a loving tribute to his sister, Susan, who died from type 1 diabetes. The 1989 motion picture of the same name received numerous nominations and awards that delivered the comedy, the tragedy, and the testament to the shared bonds of female friendship. It’s so full of big hearts, bigger hair, and razor-sharp Southern wit (“The nicest thing I can say about her is that her tattoos are spelled correctly”), you’ll want to schedule your next hair appointment and reserve your tickets right away!

Click here to read the Common Sense Media review of the film adaptation (but please note that the staged version has some differences).

Trigger Warnings:
Ultimately a story about the strength and camaraderie of a group of Southern women, this show has many, many laughs. However, there are discussions about unhealthy relationships, difficult family dynamics, and all the things a group of close friends might discuss.

A prominent part of the story deals with illness and loss. There is a plotline about a dangerous pregnancy. One character has a diabetic crisis onstage. There are moments of extreme grief onstage that might be triggering to some audience members.

Language:
There are a few uses of light profanity, but not much.

Drugs & Alcohol:
There are a few mentions of prescription drugs or talk of someone being “high”.

One character tells stories about her ex-husband’s troubles with the law for selling drugs.

Violence:
There is no onstage violence in this show, but there are several offstage gunshots and explosions (though in more comedic circumstances than violent ones).

Sexual Content:
There are a few references to things like skinny dipping, condoms, and several jokes made with innuendo.

Rated G – General Audiences

“Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek….” and from there, the story of Shrek’s lifelong journey to be accepted and loved begins.  Because of his unnatural, green appearance he is misunderstood, bitter, and prefers to live in a swamp alone.  That is, until all the fairy tale characters of the land crash his swamp after being banished by Lord Farquaad, the requisite bad guy. Shrek and his new tag-along, chatter-box pal Donkey will take you on a fantastical journey as Shrek tries to rid his solitary home of his many new roommates. An extraordinary array of colorful characters like Pinocchio, Three Little Pigs, the clever Gingy who is friends with the Muffin Man (do you know him?), and the feisty Princess Fiona will steal your heart- but can they win over Shrek’s? Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, Shrek the Musical is a Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure you don’t want to miss. With some “got something in my eye” moments, endless grins, a few adolescent-style giggles, and a heartfelt message of acceptance, this show will make you want to “let your freak flag fly!”

Click here to read the Common Sense Media review of filmed stage production.

Trigger Warnings:
Shrek the Musical is a very funny, heartwarming, and irreverent story about acceptance and friendship. However, there are storylines about being isolated, outcast, and lonely.

There is an ethnic cleansing of all fairy tale creatures in the kingdom by the dictatorial villain.

Language:
There are a few uses of light profanity, but mostly the show contains a lot of “potty humor” such as fart jokes (or songs).

Drugs & Alcohol:
Just a few goofy lines holding a funny cocktail!

Violence:
There are mobs of villagers with pitchforks and armed soldiers who round up, chase, or threaten the fairytale creatures sometimes.

The dictator character makes lots of threats about torture and execution if he doesn’t get his way.

Shrek fights a bunch of skeletons to save the princess from the dragon. Donkey fights the dragon using other skills!

Sexual Content:
There are several moments of innuendo (all for comedic purposes).

Rated PG – Parental Guidance Suggested

First, we brought you fairies and spells, then we brought you witches and prophecies. For our third Youth Shakespeare Trunk Show, we round out the Bard’s trio of tales of fantastical creatures. When the powerful sorcerer Prospero conjures a violent storm which crashes his enemy’s ship, the worlds of men, monsters, and spirits collide. Out for revenge for his usurped dukedom, Prospero seeks to punish his enemies with the help of his island of supernatural beings. But when his daughter Miranda falls in love with his enemy’s son, the sorcerer must decide which is the mightier power… vengeance or forgiveness. With the help of our trusty trunk, lots of imagination, and a dash of magic, we’ll bring this accessible version of Shakespeare’s final play to life with “such stuff as dreams are made on!”

Trigger Warnings:
This play has a beautiful moral about forgiveness, but on the journey to that end, it deals with treachery, power, and the poisonous nature of vengeance, causing many moments of rage taken out on some of the characters (particularly those who are enslaved) which may be triggering to some audience members.

There is reference to one of the scarier characters’ previous attempts to sexually assault Prospero’s daughter.

Language:
There are a few moments of lighter profanity (“hell”, “damn”) but they are said poetically!
This play also has some of the best “Shakespearean insults”!

Drugs & Alcohol:
One character is seldom sober and uses alcohol to manipulate a few other characters into a comedic and chaotic subplot.

Violence:
There are several plots to attempt to use violence, but Prospero mostly uses his magic to wield power and dominate over his servants and enemies. There are many verbal threats of violence.

Sexual Content:
There is a romantic storyline, but it is young love and portrayed as one of the happier, kinder parts of their world.

There are some moments of innuendo (but Shakespeare must give the Groundlings their money’s worth)!