All little tigers, and their grown-ups, are welcome at “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.”
The animated PBS Kids TV series, which echoes the values of the late Fred Rogers, returns to Philadelphia as a live musical stage production. For its third year of touring, the new “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live!” adventure in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe is “King for a Day.”
“It’s pretty poignant. Daniel is playing the part of a king in the school play. He thinks being king is getting your way and bossing other people around, but he finds out that it’s about listening to others and being kind,” said Simone Gianfrancesco, executive producer of “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live!: King for a Day.”
“The Daniel Tiger show has a lot of the same characters that were in ‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood’ … you see characters like King Friday. For parents there’s a connection to their youth. It keeps the emotional core and message of the series,” she said.
Gianfrancesco said that children that follow the show will be surprised by the appearance of Prince Tuesday and Wednesday’s cousin, Chrissie, whose disability requires her to use crutches and have braces on her legs. Occasionally she needs some help, but does most things for herself. “It’s such a diverse cast,” the producer commented.
There will be three performances of the show Jan. 5-6 at the Merriam Theater.
In a press release, Anne Ewers, President and CEO of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (which oversees the Merriam Theater), said: “‘Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood’ warms the hearts of so many, bringing joy and laughter to audiences of all ages. At the Kimmel Center, arts education is one of our core initiatives; we strive to present programming that is both entertaining and educational, especially for young children as they experience performing arts for the very first time.”
Besides seeing the characters from the small screen come alive on stage, something that’s different about the tiger-tastic live show is it features dancing and songs written by the musical composers for the TV series.
“King for a Day” ultimately teaches lessons about kindness, inclusiveness, helping others and being a friend, said Gianfrancesco.
Another upcoming kid-friendly program coming to the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus is “The Johnny Shortcake Show” Jan. 27-28 in the SEI Innovation Studio. Check out www.kimmelcenter.org.
Other things that children and adults can enjoy together:
Da Vinci Science Center: The museum at 3145 Hamilton Boulevard Bypass, Allentown, offers “Ice Cream Wars,” where you can taste ice cream flavors created with the quick freeze of liquid nitrogen; the “BubbleMania” science, art and comedy show; “Abbie’s Space Party,” celebrating the life of Abigail Zukowski on what would have been her 14th birthday; “Tunnel Expedition,” “Glow in the Dark” and “Owls” Little Learner Activities; and more. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $12.95 for ages 3 and up. Visit www.davincisciencecenter.org.
Reading Public Museum: Dream it, build it and ride it through Jan. 7 with “Hands-On Harley-Davidson,” an exhibit with a kid-sized motorcycle dealership, engineering lab and first-person riding experience, and learning opportunities for preschool and school-age children. See this and more 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at 500 Museum Road, Reading. Go to www.readingpublicmuseum.org.
The Media Theatre: At 104 E. State St., Media, has Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” live on stage, with a cast of professional actors and a live orchestra, at 7 p.m. Jan. 5, 11 and 12; 2 and 7 p.m. Jan. 6, 10 and 13; and 3 p.m. Jan. 7 and 14. The production is appropriate for ages 4 and up. Tickets range from $30-58. Visit www.mediatheatre.org or call (610) 891-0100.
People’s Light: On the Leonard C. Haas Stage, it’s “Aladdin: A Musical Panto” at 2 and 7 p.m. Jan. 6-7. The theater is at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern. Call (610) 644-3500.
Tyler Arboretum: During a “Dads & Daughters Hot Chocolate and Hike” at 10 a.m. Jan. 13, girls 5 and up can bring a dad, uncle or friend on an arboretum adventure to investigate the different ways animals survive the winter. Cost is $15.
Pitch your tent in the Barn Loft for an Indoor Camp Out from 1 p.m. Jan. 27 till 10:30 a.m. Jan. 28. Cook hot dogs and s’mores over a campfire and explore Tyler with an evening hike. Dinner and breakfast will be provided. Bring your own camping gear, including self-supporting tents appropriate for your number of guests (no cabin tents). The event is suitable for ages 5 and up. Cost is $60.
The arboretum is at 515 Painter Road, Media. Get registration information at www.tylerarboretum.org.
Ardmore Music Hall: The Rock & Roll Playhouse presents “Beatles for Kids!” Jan. 14, “Grateful Dead for Kids!” Jan. 28 and “Phish for Kids!” Feb. 25. Shows begin at 11:30 a.m. and admission is $12 per person, or $30 for a three-show pass, free for children under 1. Ardmore Music Hall is at 23 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore. Call (610) 649-8389 or visit www.ardmoremusichall.com.
Act II Playhouse: Allie-Oops sings kid- and family-friendly songs, as well as kid-inspired original songs, at 11 a.m. Feb. 4 as part of Act II’s Spotlight Series. The theater is at 56 E. Butler Ave., Ambler. Call (215) 654-0200.
Montgomery County Community College’s Lively Arts Series: Despite warnings from her parents, Pinkalicious’ love for pink cupcakes lands her at the doctor’s office with pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe. “Pinkalicious” hits the Science Center Theater at 11 a.m. Feb. 24. Tickets are $5 and a tea party with cupcakes follows the show. The college is at Route 202 and Morris Road, Whitpain. Call (215) 641-6518.
