Enjoy the heartwarming story of a fruit bat’s journey as she loses her mother but discovers a new family, friends and herself, when Stellaluna concludes this season’s Young at Heart Family Series, April 4 & 5, at the Victoria Theatre.
 
Stellaluna is based on Janel Cannon’s best-selling children’s book. Cannon wrote Stellaluna in 1994 to transform young people’s fear of bats into informed affection. She also wanted to share a story about a friendship between two different kinds of creatures, a bat and baby birds.

Baby bat Stellaluna’s life is flitting along right on schedule – until an owl attacks her mother one night, knocking the bewildered batlet out of her mother’s loving grasp. The tiny bat is lucky enough to land in a nest of baby birds, but her whole world is literally turned upside down.

Stellaluna’s adoptive bird mom accepts her into her nest, but only on the condition that Stellaluna will act like a bird, not a bat. Soon Stellaluna has learned to behave like a good bird should – she quits hanging by her feet and starts eating bugs. But when she finally has an opportunity to show her bird siblings what life as a bat is like, all of them are confounded.

Stellaluna discovers she has different abilities than her other family members, and she eventually learns that being different doesn’t matter and doesn’t mean that you can’t have different friends. Anyone who has ever been asked to be someone they’re not will understand the conflicts and possibilities Stellaluna faces. This production of Stellaluna is a wonderful new adaptation, utilizing music and elaborates puppets to tell the story.

Click here to watch a video preview.

Stellaluna is on stage at the Victoria Theatre, Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5. Performance times are 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. each day. Come out early and enjoy special pre-show lobby activities, beginning one hour prior to each performance.

Tickets are priced at a family friendly $17 for adults and $15 for children (ages 12 and under). Tickets are on sale now through Ticket Center Stage, and may be purchased at the Schuster Center box office in downtown Dayton or by phone, at (937) 228-3630 or toll free (888) 228-3630. Ticket Center Stage hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday, noon – 4 p.m., and two hours prior to each performance. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.ticketcenterstage.com.

We also just announced next season’s Young at Heart Family Series – for more information, visit www.victoriatheatre.com/youngatheart.

The Young at Heart Family Series is back for another year of fantastical entertainment – and at the same family friendly prices as last season!

We’ve just announced the 2009-2010 lineup, which includes fun for children of all ages: Alice in Wonderland, Spencer’s Theatre of Illusion, Doktor Kaboom!, Seussical and Darwin. The Young at Heart Family series is still the largest and oldest performing arts series for children in the region. Victoria Theatre Association works hard to make it “Quality Play Time” for families, with diverse entertainment and pre-show activities in the lobby of the Victoria Theatre.

For more about the series, log on to www.victoriatheatre.com/youngatheart.

Alice in Wonderland – October 24 & 25, 2009
Lewis Carroll’s classic comes to life for a new generation on the Victoria stage! Explore the dream world down the rabbit hole where madcap high jinks and outlandish adventures abound – complete with the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, the Cheshire Cat and more. This new musical theatre production is from Bits ‘N Pieces Puppet Theatre and features lavishly costumed characters and giant nine-foot-tall puppets, whirling, dancing and singing on their journey through Wonderland.

The Spencers Theatre of Illusion – December 5 & 6, 2009
You won’t believe your eyes when master illusionists Kevin and Cindy Spencer take the stage! Theatre of Illusion is much more than a magic show – it’s a powerful theatrical experience that you and your family will never forget. Discover the wonders of the impossible and celebrate the wonder and magic of the holiday season with this spectacular show from one of the most sought-after illusion teams in the business.

Doktor Kaboom! – January 23 & 24, 2010
Imagine if Mister Wizard and The Nutty Professor had a Rock & Roll German love child. Picture that child decades later. Now put him on stage – and duck!! Meet Doktor Kaboom. Audiences will be enthralled with this interactive one-man science/variety show starring actor/comedian David Epley as the eccentric inventor/scientist. Doktor Kaboom is touring the world with his fully equipped mobile laboratory, a wicked cool haircut, and a passion for science – and entertainment – that knows no bounds.

Seussical – February 27 & 28, 2010
“I can see that you’ve got quite a mind for you age! Why, one Think and you dragged me right onto the stage! Now I’m here there is no telling what may ensue with a cat such as me and a Thinker like you!”  So says the mischievous Cat in the Hat at the beginning of this fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza! Adapted especially for family audiences from the original Broadway musical, this delightful show brings to life your favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie and all the Who’s of Whoville!

CORBIAN Visual Arts and Dance: Darwin – April 10 & 11, 2010
Meet Darwin. He is no ordinary pet; he’s a dinosaur. In this unique and spectacular production, glow in the dark crayon-like creatures light up the stage with a moving tale of a dinosaur discovering the true meaning of love.  Set to music, this feast for the eyes begins with a magical Scientist who puts Darwin together piece by piece. A beautiful bond develops between creator and beast; however, soon it’s time for the innocent Darwin to explore his world, where he encounters many different types of living creatures and learns many important life lessons.

Season tickets for the Young at Heart Family Series are priced at a family friendly $75 for adults and $65 for children (ages 12 and under). Season tickets are on sale now through Ticket Center Stage, and may be purchased at the Schuster Center box office in downtown Dayton or by phone, at (937) 228-3630 or toll free (888) 228-3630. Ticket Center Stage hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday, noon – 4 p.m., and two hours prior to each performance.

For more information about the entire 2009-2010 season, visit www.victoriatheatre.com.

Prepare to laugh along with Jean Saucier and Patrick Côté, the stars of Circo Comedia, as they perform acrobatic tricks, daredevil stunts, magic and juggling, this weekend at the Victoria Theatre as part of the Young at Heart Family Series.

Jean Saucier, following in the traditions of the Quebec Circus, is a master equilibrist, juggler, trick cyclist, acrobat and magician who performs his amazing stunts from dizzying heights.  Jean is thrilled to introduce North American audiences to his extremely gifted and talented new partner, Patrick Côté. Patrick, a burlesque clown, expert roller skater and drummer, innocently tries his best to be the (imperfect) assistant to Jean, which creates many laughs.

Jean and Patrick are taking the acrobatics, clowning and theatrics of Circo Comedia, which audiences worldwide have grown to know and love, to new “heights.” The Circo Comedia team will make the whole family laugh – the show is deliriously funny and filled with unforgettable moments!

CLICK HERE for a video preview of what Circo Comedia is all about!

Circo Comedia is on stage at the Victoria Theatre Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8. Performance times are 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. each day. Come out early and enjoy special pre-show lobby activities, beginning one hour prior to each performance.