Summer Children's Theater Performances on Long Island

7/14/12 - By cristin

(In photo:  Jake Sokoloff as The Mad Hatter and Jenna Kavaler as Alice
Photo Credit:  Peter Lanscombe, Theatre Three)

Children develop a personal connection to the characters they meet in fairy tales and story books.  They sympathize with Cinderella and Snow White in their plights with their wicked stepmothers, they relate to a child who can’t say no to just one more cupcake and they revel in the thought of a little boy who can fly. This summer children will be dazzled to see the beloved characters they’ve connected with in books come to life on stages across Long Island. We’ve rounded up some summer stage adaptations of popular children’s stories sure to entertain and likely to inspire even a reluctant reader to reread the story after the final bow.

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Consider visiting your local library before a performance to check out the book the show you will see is based on  to reacquaint kids with the story and discuss their predictions about how the story will translate on stage. After the show, discuss the experience with kids. What were similarities and differences between the book and the show? Who was their favorite character and why? Be sure to check with theaters regarding their policy of bringing infants to the theater before before buying tickets and bringing baby to show.

Nassau County

Long Island Children’s Museum
11 Davis Ave., Garden City
516-224-5801
LICM is a really wonderful venue to see a summer show for the opportunity to explore museum before or after show! Tickets are $8 with museum admission, $6 for LICM members and $12 for theater only. LICM's theater seats 145 audience members allowing children to comfortably see stage from any seat in the house. Audience members are invited to stay seated after performance for a q&a with actors. Check your local library for availability of free passes on days of performances. To buy tickets in advance, (up to one day before the performance), call the LICM Box Office at 516-224-5801. Tickets will not be sold by phone on the day of the performance.

June 29–July 27
Goldilocks and the Three Bears 

August 11–August 26
Pinkalicious

NYCB Theatre at Westbury 
960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury
516-334-0800
NYCB Theatre at Westbury hosts The Summer Children's Musical Theatre Series featuring a musical adaptation of a family-favorite story each Tuesday in July and August at 11am. Tickets are $15.50 each. Click here for tickets.

July 17
Beauty and the Beast 

July 24
Snow White 

July 31
Jack & the Beanstalk 

August 7
Cinderella 

August 14
Alice in Wonderland

August 21
Peter Pan

Planting Fields Arboretum
1395 Planting Fields Rd., Oyster Bay
516-922-9200
Planting Fields Arboretum welcomes families for their Summer Theater Series on select Thursdays from 6–8pm. Performances are held outside the Haybarn/Visitor’s Center. Bring a blanket or beach chairs.

August 16
Cinderella

Broadhollow Theater
700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont
516-775-4420
Performed by Broadhollow Theater Company, Bayway Arts Center welcomes Pinkalicious and Robin Hood and Maid Marian to the stage for several performances this summer. Tickets are $10. Click here for show times and tickets.

July 9, July 12, August 1, August 9
Pinkalicious

August 2, August 16
Robin Hood and Maid Marian

Suffolk County

Theatre Three
412 Main St., Port Jefferson
631-928-1130
Theatre Three performs original, comedic adaptations of classic tales entertaining to both kids and adults. Bring along some cash for concessions and some quarters for metered parking in Port Jefferson. Theatre Three is another great venue to catch a show for all the great things to do in Port Jefferson while visiting! Tickets are just $10. Click here for show times and tickets.

July 6–August 4
The Princess and the Pea (or What Makes a Noble a Noble?)

August 10–August 18
Alices's Most Decidedly Unusual Adventures in Wonderland

Huntington Arts Council
Chapin Rainbow Stage, Heckscher Park
164 Main St., Huntington
631-271-8423
As part of the 47th Annual Summer Arts Series, The Huntington Arts Council presents a series of family shows Tuesday evenings at 7:30pm. Performances are free!

July 24
Peter and the Wolf

July 31
Pinkalicious

John W. Engeman Theater
250 Main St., Northport
631-261-2900
Tickets for children's performances at John W. Engeman theater are $15. Click here for show times and tickets.

July 14–August 19
Rapunzel: A Tangled Fairytale

Patchogue Theater
71 E. Main St., Patchogue
631-286-1133
Gateway Playhouse in Bellport will be presenting Children's Theater performances in Patchogue Theater this summer. Performances are intended for children 2 and older. Infants will not be permitted into theater.

July 21
Wizard of Oz

July 27–August 11
Gateway Youth Ensemble presents 
The Little Mermaid Jr.

CM Performing Arts Center
931 Montauk Highway, Oakdale
631-218-2810
CM Performing Arts Center features condensed, author-approved versions of contemporary musicals. Plots are simplified and some songs seen in original performances are eliminated to create a performance that runs under an hour, perfect for squirmy kids! Click here for tickets.

July 7–July 21
Willy Wonka Junior 

August 11–August 25
Seussical Junior 

August 26–September 2
Little Mermaid Junior

Bayway Arts Center
265 E. Main St # 160  East Islip
631-581-2700
Performed by Broadhollow Theater Company, Bayway Arts Center welcomes Robin Hood and Maid Marian to the stage for 3 performances this summer. Tickets are $10. Click here for show times and tickets.

July 18, July 31, August 3
Robin Hood and Maid Marian

Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center
76 Main St. Westhampton Beach
631-288-1500
The family-friendly performances at Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center are all original adaptations of beloved children’s tales performed by 60 local campers. The intimate theater seats 425 and offers all members of the audience a full view of the stage. Performances begin at 7pm and tickets are $15 each. Click here for tickets.

July 27
Rumpelstiltskin 

August 3
Blackbeard the Pirate

August 17
Cinderella