By Amy Wolff

There’s nothing quite like the magic of watching a live musical come to life on stage. Especially if it’s your first time in the theatre. The lights dim, the curtains rise and all of a sudden, you’re swept into a world of music and dancing. Plus, there are colorful costumes, amazing sets and characters who come to life right before your eyes.

“For some parents, they may worry that their kids are too young to sit still for a stage production, but that is what makes Arizona Broadway Theatre’s Theatre for Young Audiences programs so exciting,” said Stephen Hohendorf, Education Director at the Peoria area theatre. “Each show is especially designed for kids ages 5-12 years old and their families.”

Arizona Broadway Theatre’s Theatre for Young Audiences productions are created to enchant, engage and inspire children through the art of storytelling. The shows are the perfect way to introduce children and teens to the theater.

“Seeing a TYA show at Arizona Broadway Theatre really made me laugh and it was a really fun and magical experience. The actors are so talented! Plus, it made me really want to be an actor.” says nine-year-old Shiloh Foreman.

This year’s season kicks off in December and includes three special shows inspired by beloved children’s books.

The Nutcracker, A Musical, on-stage December 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21, is a perfect way to celebrate the holidays. The Nutcracker is set at Christmastime, the best time of year for toys and stories. In this show, the magic of make-believe is fading all over the world. Only the toys know the truth: the Queen and King of mice have stolen the Christmas star and used its magic to turn the Prince of Make Believe into a wooden nutcracker. Yikes! Can Clara and her brother Fritz bring the nutcracker back to life, help him defeat the House of Mouse, and restore him to the throne?

In February, kids and kids-at-heart can celebrate Valentine’s Day with their favorite rosy pal,
Pinkalicious in Pinkalicious, the Musical. Based on the popular book by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann, Pinkalicious is a tale of a young girl who can’t stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor’s office with “Pinkititis,” an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe – a dream come true for this pink-loving enthusiast. Alas, Pinkalicious needs a way out of her pink predicament, and joined by her family, they find unity and appreciation in the quirks that define us all.

The last show in the Theatre for Young Audiences season is Elephant and Piggies, We Are in a Play!, which will be on stage on the weekends of May 15, 16 and 17 and May 22, 23 and 24. Audiences will have a silly time thanks to an adaptation of Mo Willems’ beloved, award-winning and best-selling children’s book. Kids will leave the theatre doing the “Flippy Floppy Floory” dance all night long. In Elephant and Piggie’s We Are in a Play!, Gerald and Piggie take audiences on a rollicking adventure that is perfect for young audiences.

Each of the Theatre for Young Audiences productions runs about an hour long, which is the perfect length of time for the littlest theatre goers in the Valley.

“Theatre for Young Audiences performances provide many kids in our community their first exposure to live theatre,” said Hohendorf. “The goal of our youth programs is always to provide children with high-quality theatre experiences while enriching their lives with exciting new ways to connect and learn. Not only do we hope to lay the foundation for the creation of future theatregoers in our community, but we also hope to enrich kids’ lives with exciting new ways to engage and learn.”

For more information about Arizona Broadway Theatre’s Theatre for Young Audiences or to get tickets to an upcoming show, visit ArizonaBroadwayTheatre.org

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Stars in the Making
For budding performers or those who want to try their hand at singing, dancing and acting, Arizona Broadway Theatre has a performance troupe for you!

Introducing HyRev, an elite performance group made up of approximately 75 tweens and teens from across the Valley with a passion for performing. For young performers who dream of being on Broadway to those looking for new and exciting performance opportunities, HyRev is a great opportunity to learn more about what it takes to be on stage and grow your stage presence and performance experience, not to mention work with some of the best pros in the business.

HyRev members shine on the stage both in the theatre and out in the community. Plus, each year they go to Disneyland to take classes from the experts!

“Whether it’s your child’s first time seeing a live performance, stepping into the spotlight or stepping up to the microphone, Arizona Broadway Theatre will be with them through it all,” said Stephen Hohendorf, Education Director. “Join us today and see first-hand what the arts can do for your child!”

For more information about how to get involved with HyRev or to learn about audition opportunities, visit ArizonaBroadwayTheatre.com