A new season of Kids and Company theater is ready to hit the stage with tightrope walking, balancing feats, unicycles, juggling and laughter.
Flyin Bob: One Man, Three Ring Circus will kick off the four-show season at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Townshend Theatre located in the Fort Frances High School.
Officials describe the purpose of Kids and Company as a way to introduce children and their families to a wide spectrum of diverse entertainment to both foster an appreciation for the arts and to enhance the quality of life within the community through unique and creative music, dance and drama.
“Kids and company has a long reputation of offering quality children’s theater that sparks the imagination and brings stories and music to life,” said Jenn Windels, one of the event’s organizers. “The 2011-2012 season will again offer a diverse line up of children’s programs to entertain children and adults alike.”
Windels explained that past seasons of the production have been successful for the non-profit Kids and Company group that collaborates with other Ontario communities to bring live children’s entertainment to Fort Frances.
“(The shows are) similar to what the Borderland Concert Association does here in International Falls,” Windels said.
She added that the shows have had good attendance and positive feedback from audience members following previous seasons and organizers are hoping to spread the word of this unique local opportunity to more families.
“The quality of the acts have been consistent from year to year and seem to appeal to a wide age of children and adults,” Windels said. “Almost all the artists have traveled throughout Canada and some throughout the U.S. and abroad to perform over their careers.”
Windels continued that the shows are not the traditional sit-down live entertainment. “Children are often dancing in their seats or aisles,” she said. “Many groups interact with the children in the audience by encouraging singing or dancing, asking the kids to contribute ideas or bringing audience members onstage to participate in the performance.”
Tickets are $10 each for each show, children 0-3 years old attend for free. For families who would like to attend all four shows, season passes are available for $30 until the first show. And, for those who buy more than two season passes, the price is $80 for three; $100 for four, and $115 for five.
Tickets can be purchased at the Coffee Landing, on 104.1 KSDM radio auction, Fort Frances Public Library and Revco Carpet. Tickets and passes are also always available at the door.
“I encourage those who have not attended to try out a show this season,” Windels concluded. “While the shows are held on Monday evenings, they start at 6:30 p.m. and are approximately one hour long so kids are back home in time for a reasonable bed time.”
