Austin Summer Musical for Children

A summer musical for kids at a price that can’t be beat… FREE! I love free.
This year they performed The Curious Case of Rumplestiltskin. It was a little over an hour long, a perfect length of time for the kids. The music was campy and the costumes, lights, props, and sets were colorful enough to hold the attention of my 22 month old. I think it was a hit for her first play/​musical experience.
The George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center Boyd Vance Theatre is small and holds about 130 people. I don’t think there’s a bad seat in the house. They started handing out tickets about an hour before the 11am show. They opened the doors about a half hour before the show. All first come, first served.
They had free face painting, a free raffle, Girl Scout patches for $ 3, and T-​shirts for $ 10 – 15. Donations are accepted to benefit the production.
At the end, they have all the actors come out and sign the kid’s programs and hand out little toy trinkets. My princess was most infatuated with the three little piggies character. She was so excited to meet them!
Can’t wait to go back next year!

Free theater for children and their families. Free! Music, costumes, dancing, slapstick, puns, more singing, gaffawing, lights, and action. Love it. Perfect enriching outing for a sweltering August day (which in Austin is, well, every August day).
We’ve seen their productions two years in a row. A delight each time. Extra special: after the curtain falls, the performers greet children of the audience in the theater rotunda and offer to sign their programs plus little treats (sweet tarts, a small toy).
Donations are suggested. There are also T-​shirts to buy for a low price ($ 5 when we went). All proceeds go to the non-​profit that stages the plays each summer.
Performances are held at the terrific George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center’s Boyd Vance Theatre in East Central. An airy, well-​appointed venue and not one bad seat in the house.
This year’s play was Sour Grapes, a take on Aesop’s Fables. Think vaudeville. My boys went crazy with laughter when the fox character, misunderstanding when asked to bring out his talent, grabs his electric guitar and jams out Hendrix’s «Foxy Lady».
Good clean free fun.