Borderland children can once again experience theater geared toward them as a new season of Kids and Company shows kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Townshend Theatre in Fort Frances.
Kids and Company is a non-profit group in Fort Frances that brings live performances to local children and is similar to the Border Concert Association. The company aims to deliver a wide spectrum of diverse entertainment to both foster an appreciation of the arts and to enhance the quality of life in the Borderland communities, organizers say.
With five shows scheduled through April, the first is “Dracula,” performed by DuffleBag Theatre. Admittance is by season ticket (passport) or by individual show tickets.
Kids and Company organizer Jenn Windels told The Journal DuffleBag actors “Retell fairy tales and Shakespearean classics full of wit and humor. Their shows are unique and interactive with audience members up on the stage to help the story come to life.”
According to DuffleBag Theatre’s website, “Since 1992, the ‘Nearly World Famous’ DuffleBag Theatre has become one of the most celebrated companies at festivals and schools across the country... This unpredictable performance is a hilarious experience for all ages and a truly unique interactive theatrical experience where the dream of living a fairy tale actually does come true.”
Windels encourages families to attend Kids and Company shows because the season brings national or international acts to our neighborhood.
“This is children’s theater,” she said. “It’s interactive, fun-filled, wiggle-and-giggle-in-your-seat kind of entertainment. It’s offered in a small enough theater that kids can see the show up close and meet the performers afterwards.”
She added that all shows are tailored to families and last about an hour so children are home and in bed at a reasonable time.
Also scheduled to take the stage this year for the Kids and Company performances are:
• Nov. 26 — Matt Baker will perform a comedy and stunt show. Baker has performed in 14 different countries as well as television shows including Last Comic Standing and America’s Got Talent.
• Jan. 21 — Squid Percussion Show, a compilation of drummers, dancers, bagpipes and a house band, will share their musical talents in a high-energy, legendary show.
• March 4 — The Maritime Marionettes, who have performed during the Kids and Company season previously, will retell the classic fairy tale “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
• April 22 — Motus O-Circus Terrifico will come with a hilarious story which requires the acts of the three circus performers.
“Like last year, this year’s season offers a wide variety of talent from improv theater to a percussion performance, marionettes to comedy, circus acts and more,” Windels said. “We are happy to have added a show to this year’s season which means season pass holders will see more shows for a lower cost per show. Our attendance has steadily increased over the past several years and we expect this season to bring in as many or more families.”
Season passes are $30 per person and tickets for individual shows are $10 each. Both passes and tickets are available at the Fort Frances Public Library, Betty’s, Revco Carpet, The Coffee Landing, and at the door. Children ages 3 and under are free.
