Christmas Theatre for Kids Near Bedford, Indiana

Christmas Theatre for Kids near Bedford, Indiana - The holiday times can be stressful for everyone. The greatest gift we can give is to thrive in the spirit of season, cherish the love brought forth, and share the greatest gifts that often are not those costly ones wrapped and placed beneath the trees on Christmas morn.

Spending time with children at this time of year can give back to you more precious gifts than you can ever give away. Enlightening a child's world with the treasures of art and theatre can be an experience that only their smiles and their twinkling eyes can come near measuring the value of.

Near my rural southern Indiana home, there are not a vast amount of theatrical presentations. However, there are many within a few hours drive that are well worth the time spent to give such a wondrous gift to a child's memories.

The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati December 1 -22, 2008

A short 2 ½ hour drive can bring you to the Art Reach presentation of the classic A Christmas Carol. The children's experience enhanced through a supportive study guide which simplifies the experience of Ebenezar Scrooge so it can be easily understood. The children will easily take away the moral of the story because of the visits by Scrooge's former business partner, Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future. Seeing how his meanness has affected others, yet they are still happy. He also sees how unhappy he has become and how sad his life is yet to be. These enlightenments lead to a changed Scrooge who becomes a happy and more giving, sharing person.

The Children's Theatre study guide helps the students of all ages to learn about vocabulary, settings, recall and gives ideas for further learning such as chart drawing and letter writing. The guide gives coloring opportunities, encourages ideas for giving and helps the children think about the purpose of the gifts, not just the gifts. Grammar is encouraged by the use of adjectives describing Scrooge and correct form and structure of sentence writing as well as capitalization and spelling.

The study guide encourages the children's creativity and thinking outside the box. They are encouraged through leading questions to design what if scenarios of what Scrooge would do after his experience. Finally, through a question and answer session the students are asked to recall Scrooge's experiences and then to analyze the importance of the experience.

This delightful experience not only allows the children to enjoy a treasured classic, but also stimulates structured learning and creativity and the reinforcement of morally favorable behaviors.

The price ranging from $7 to $20 is money well spent on an enjoyable, memorable, and valuable learning experience.

The Bloomington POPS Orchestra and Chorus November 28, 2008

Visit the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre, an 85 year old historic landmark in downtown Bloomington during the annual Canopy of Lights for a memorable rendition of holiday tunes. The POPS Orchestra will play for two shows. The first, a 50-minute show, begins at 5:30 pm and will delight the little ones. The second, lasting 80 minutes, begins at 8 pm. This show is great for big and little kids alike. Between the orchestra shows, you can sing along with many holiday favorites as vocalized by the Bloomington POPS Chorus.

Now, that is four hours of outstanding musical talent and inspiration to enjoy while watching the lighting of the town tree, visiting with Santa and eating cookies and kettle corn while drinking hot chocolate. The Girl Scout troops will also be onboard for caroling to add to the musical experience.

Jump aboard for a musical night full of fun and amazing sights and lights. Historically, this wondrous night is full of Silent Night, White Christmas, Jingle Bells, Here Comes Santa Claus and nearly a hundred more family favorites by the time the night is through and we never know what new tunes the chorus or orchestra will bring for our entertainment year to year.

So come on down to downtown Bloomington, Indiana and enjoy the lights, the carols and take in a show. The orchestra shows are in the theatre with a price range from $5 to $19. Internationally renowned baritone vocalist Tim Noble will perform to the delight of all who listen. Hope you enjoy this wondrous evening.

The Repertory Theatre of Indiana in Indianapolis will be putting on a lively twist to a timeless classic. Come see what a one man show can do for It's a Wonderful Life and enjoy the humor as 30 roles are reinvented in Steve Murray's The Wonderful Life.Sure to be a memorable experience as George Bailey reminds the audience of the importance one person can make in the world.

Showing 11/25/2008 through 1/4/09 with prices ranging from $34 to $39, you are sure to find a time that suits your busy schedule. You can go online and select your seating reservations. Enjoy the show as you add a new classic to your repertoire.

Santaland Diaries November 21 - December 7, 2008 at Waldron Auditorium

David Sedaris' Santaland Diaries as performed by the Cardinal Stage Company of Bloomington, Indiana will send you home reeling, laughing and so glad you came. Designed with a more mature audience (the big Kids) in mind, Santaland Diaries interjects great humor into the season as a 30 plus year old man copes with becoming Crumpet the Macy's elf instead of a soap opera star.

Joe Montello's Tony award winning adaptations are renowned for their classic twists. From 9 to 5, the Musical to Wicked to Santaland Diaries, Montello's wit and wisdom from the director's chair brings an amazing life to a purely hilarious holiday treasure.

Take a quick visit to Odeo's audio excerpt for a taste of what's to come. Enjoy.

Central Baptist Church Paoli, Indiana

Sure to be enjoyed by children of all ages, the caroling throughout the town of Paoli, Indiana and throughout the long term care facility Paoli Health and Living is a joy for the participants and the recipients as the choir of ages from 5 to 85 sing classic tunes of Jingle Bells, Noel, We Wish You a Merry Christmas and more. This is planned for December 15^th and 22^nd from 3 to 5 pm.

You can also visit the church at 156 Linden Street, Paoli, Indiana for a heart warming rendition of Oh Little Town, Our Savior's Birth. Call us at (812) 723-4281 for further details as the season develops. We look forward to seeing you and sharing this precious season with you and yours.

Derby Dinner Playhouse Clarksville, Indiana

Considered a local treasure by anyone within a few hours of Clarksville, Indiana, the Derby Dinner Playhouse is well known and respected for excellent atmosphere, food, and performances. Dining tables surrounding the rotating stage abound with food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Loved by children, field trips and adults of all ages, the Playhouse sits approximately 500 making it one of the largest seated dinner playhouses in the nation.

This year the return of Irving Berlin's classic White Christmas will once again woo the hearts and spirits of the holiday adventurers. Proclaimed as a must do and a capital highlight of many a Christmas season, White Christmas encompasses some of the greatest music of all time.

Located in southern Indiana and on Louisville's doorstep the Derby Dinner Playhouse and White Christmas will enchant you with the songs of White Christmas, Count Your Blessings, and many, many more.

Don't miss this opportunity for the finest of dates or an enjoyable family outing. Playing from November 11, 2008 through December 31^st, you don't want to miss the opportunity to visit the Derby Dinner Playhouse. Prices range from $29 to $42 with additional niceties for additional charges. Overnight accommodations are available at Holiday Inn, The Galt House and the Sheraton so you can stay as late as you'd like. Come on out and enjoy before the season is done.

References:

The Cincinnati Children's Theatre. Art Reach Study Guide: A Christmas Carol. http://www.thechildrenstheatre.com/pdfs/2009_xmascarol_sg.pdf

The Cincinnati Children's Theatre. Art Reach Touring Productions. http://www.thechildrenstheatre.com/artreach/

The Buskirk-Chumley Theatre. Upcoming events. http://www.buskirkchumley.org/upcoming.html

Downtown Bloomington, Indiana. Downtown Bloomington: Canopy of Lights and Light Up a Life Tree Lighting. http://www.downtownbloomington.com/index.php?page=ViewEvents&eventID=126

IU Home Pages. Timothy Noble, Distinguished Professor. http://www.homepages.indiana.edu/022704/text/noble.shtml

Indiana Repertory Theature: You live more when it's live. http://www.irtlive.com/shows/shows_new.aspx

Cardinal Stage Company. David Sedaris' Santaland Diaries. http://www.cardinalstage.org/santaland.html

Broadway world.com. Joe Montello. http://www.broadwayworld.com/people/bio/Joe_Mantello/

ODEO. David Sedaris' Santaland Diaries. http://odeo.com/episodes/568281

Central Baptist Church. http://www.centralbapt.org/

Derby Dinner Playhouse. Featured events. http://www.derbydinner.com/