Oct. 1st - Apr. 30th

HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS FAN POWERED WORLD TOUR

The Original Harlem Globetrotters are known for their amazing feats of basketball, humor, and acts of goodwill on and off the court. And they have always been about the fans, but this year, everything they do will bring fans closer to the action more than ever before. Join them as they celebrate fans during the all-new Fan Powered World Tour! There will be over 20 occasions before, during and after the game where you have the opportunity to directly interact with Globetrotters stars. Don't miss out - get your tickets today and save 25% off with promo code FUNFAM

Website

Print

Jan. 19th - Mar. 24th

"Pick of the Month!" - Show Time Magazine. "Magical!" - DRAMA-LOGUE. "A delight for the entire family!" - L.A. SPLASH. It's the all-time favorite, internationally acclaimed Family Theatre Series fairytale, a classic tale with a twist offering romantics from all walks of life the chance to try on the glass slipper and help Cinderella find her happily-ever-after.

From the award-winning team of Evelyn Rudie and Chris DeCarlo, CINDERELLA has all the makings of a perfect fairytale for today's generation: a handsome prince (who yearns to be loved for himself, not his royal position), vain stepsisters (who ultimately realize looks really aren't everything), a controlling (but genuinely well-meaning) stepmother and a refreshingly independent feisty Cinderella. "An Enchanting Cinderella!...captivates its young audience, highlighted by fast pacing, fancy costuming and a lovely, unweepy Cinderella...particularly within the context of Rudie and DeCarlo's trademark Gilbert & Sullivan comic lyrics." - LA Times.

The single most requested Playhouse Musical Matinee on three continents and a local audience favorite for 15 years in a row, "this extraordinary company creates a strange new brand of excitement...Truly imaginative and entertaining, this play has all its spark plugs firing." - LA PARENT. Added delights are the playful period costumes by award-winning designer Ashley Hayes, magical special effects by James Cooper and the heart-warming romance that blooms with the assistance of a glass slipper, a magic wand, and the audience's eager intervention.

Photo ops, Birthday and Tea Parties, hosted by a fairy tale character from the show, are available in conjunction with every performance. "A children's show that will delight children but won't bore adults even if they think they have seen every possible twist on the Cinderella story." reviewplays.com

Website

Print

Jan. 20th - Feb. 24th

"Brilliant performances!" The Tolucan Times. "Brilliant portrayals!" hails broadwayworld.com. "Just plain brilliant!" exclaims playwright/performer Wendy Michaels. This joyous musical comedy, perfect for audiences of all ages, follows the life of the beloved Yiddish story-teller and his mespoche, spinning tales of his loves and losses, his travels, his travails and the tremendous joy and optimism that kept him going against all odds. "It made me think of the heyday of vaudeville in New York. It's grounding to see this part of our shared past re-created in sunny Santa Monica, whether or not we actually grew up on tales of shtetl life. These stories of inequity and triumph, love and laughter, family and religion are part of our heritage and identity, and connect us to a part of ourselves." Jewish Journal

Website

Print

Jan. 26th - Dec. 15th

The Really Awesome Improv Show plays every Saturday and Sunday at noon at The Second City. This fast paced and high energy comedy is a fun for all ages improv show now celebrating a 9 run! RAIS features improv games that rely on audience suggestions and participation, very "Whose Line is it Anyway," but 100% family friendly, and voted "Best Kids' Comedy Show" by LA Magazine. There's a rotating cast so you'll see different faces and games each week, and for only $5 it's the best deal in town. Also great for birthday parties and family outings! NOTE: Located on the 2nd floor with stair access only.

�"Best Kids' Comedy Show" -LA Magazine
�"Your kids get to act like goofballs. Highly recommended." -Patton Oswalt
�"Had a BLAST at this show. Kids (and adults) will LOVE!" -Susan Yeagley
�"A most impressive, quick on their feet (and wit) troupe." -Tolucan Times
�"Had a blast and were laughing like crazy. Thanks, Second City!" -Goldstar

Website

Print

Feb. 7th - May. 25th

"Our daughter learned more about drama in one week with SMP than in all the productions she's ever done - put together. We're absolutely ecstatic!" raves educator J. Dohr. "I am continuously impressed! The workshops and plays are structured so that every child can be successful!" raves B. Clough. Daily Variety calls it, "One of the best in the country!" No small parts - no playing the second tree or third spear carrier - no double or triple casting - every child receives a role written specifically for them, based on their creative input, highlighting their strengths and challenging them to excel in all theatre skills, including performance and stage technique, teamwork, self-confidence, creative expression and communication, projection and enunciation, as well as reading and language comprehension, theatre etiquette, and a true love of and appreciation for theatre arts. And small classes mean lots of personal attention for every member of the class.

Enrollment is open for the Spring session of this ever popular workshop program, now in its 50th year, a fun experience that helps students expand their imagination as they act, sing, dance, play theatre games, improvise, work with costumes and make-up, lighting and sound, sets and props, and perhaps best of all, collaborate with professional playwrights and directors to create an awesome fully staged original production with music, written just for them. No experience needed, but even the most advanced young actor will benefit from this workshop.

Classes meet weekly, Thursday afternoons (Feb 7-May 23) or Saturday mornings (Feb 9-May 25) - enrollment accepted through Feb 23. Ask about Spring Break and Summer Theatre Camps, the Summer Japan Theatre Adventure for ages 12 and up, and workshops for adults, too!

Playhouse conservatory alumni include Kate Hudson, Zooey Deschanel, Emily Deschanel, Jason Ritter, Jason Segel, Obi Ndefo, Shana Feste, Rina Mimoun, Cami Anderson (Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World) and Maroon 5's Mickey Madden, who calls the program "Great in so many ways!"

Santa Monica Playhouse is proud to be an approved program on LAArtsEd.org, Los Angeles County's one-stop-shop for quality arts education programs.

Thursdays, 4:00 to 6:30pm, February 7 - May 23, 2019 (ages 7 to 12)
Saturdays, 9:00 to 11:30am, February 9 - May 25, 2018 (ages 7 to 12)

Dues: $495 for a four-month session; sibling discounts and financial assistance available - just ask!

1-310-394-9779 ext 3

Website

Print

Feb. 15th - 23rd

THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS ARE COMING INTO TOWN

Producers of smiles, togetherness, and "How do they do that" wonderment, the Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their "Fan Powered 2019 World Tour" to the southland Feb. 15 to 23.

Their one-of-a-kind show is unrivaled in the world of family entertainment with incredible ball handling, hilarious comedy and loads of fan interaction, including a pre-game Magic Pass experience and a post-game autograph signing.

*Walter Pyramid at Long Beach State University Friday, February 15 at 7pm.
*Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario Saturday, February 16 at 2pm and 7pm.
*STAPLES Center in Los Angeles Sunday, February 17 at 2pm.
*Honda Center in Anaheim Saturday, February 23 at 2pm and 7pm.
Visit: http://www.harlemglobetrotters.com/socal for tickets. Use promo code: FUNFAM for 25% discount.

Website

Print

Feb. 16th - May. 25th

"She LOVES the class! Thank you for being so much fun and professional!" raves workshop mom L. Forkin. "I could see so much joy and happiness in my daughter's eyes and she told me 'Mommy, I can't stop smiling cheek to cheek!' " exclaims B. Alvarez. Acting! Singing! Dance! Crafts! Make-up! Costumes! and a live performance on stage highlight these fun and exciting theatre workshop for kids 4 to 6. This internationally acclaimed Santa Monica Playhouse program offers a one-of-a-kind experience where Early Stagers revel in the joy of creativity and self-expression, working with professional actors who have dedicated their lives to sharing the magic of live theatre.

"Our daughter and son really did love every minute - they had a productive, interactive and hugely enjoyable few weeks" says mom N. Gestetner. Youngsters sing songs, play theatre games, bring favorite fairytales to life, work with crafts and props, and perform on stage with members of the "big kids" workshops. Emphasis is on sharing, caring, and having a fun time. Kids learn to improve their communication and team-building skills, overcome shyness and build self-esteem as they make new friends, practice focusing their energy and expand their imagination. The innovative Santa Monica Playhouse theatre-for-youth programs, now in their 50th year, have been developed from work done with more 50,000 students locally, nationally and internationally. Daily Variety calls it "One of the best in the country!"

Santa Monica Playhouse is proud to be an approved program on LAArtsEd.org, Los Angeles County's one-stop-shop for quality arts education programs.

Dues: $395 for the four-month session; sibling discounts and financial assistance available - just ask.

Website

Print

Apr. 6th - Jun. 30th

"It's a hoot! A return trip to the Emerald City in the Santa Monica Playhouse's imaginative, colorful musical" LA TIMES. Kicking off the 50th Anniversary of the Santa Monica Playhouse Musical Matinee Series for Kids 2 to 102, it's the joyous Rudie-DeCarlo musical comedy, a hilarious and heart-warming internationally acclaimed reworking of the beloved story, filled with music and dance, fun special effects, laughter and love, proving once again that there's no place like home.

Follow Dorothy (Megan Carrasquillo) and her companions along the windy road to that mystical place where dreams really do come true and nothing is as it seems, as they do battle with the vain but glorious Queen Coo-ee-oh (Tiffany Haile), join forces with a Vagabond Princess (Tiara Hairston) who is revolting (although she doesn't look it), meet the Patchwork Girl (Tara Brown) and a Rainbow Maiden (Sarai Jimenez), face such looming monsters as war, drought and mortgages, and learn a great deal about the world around them, and even a little bit about themselves. Guest appearances by Auntie Em and the Wizard, too!

"Delightful, different, and entertaining...great for children and adults of all ages." THE ENTERTAINER. Sparkling costumes by award-winning designer Ashley Hayes, magical FX by The Attic Room, lilting musical numbers, and the heartfelt discoveries about family and home that develop along the road to OZ all bring the adventure to its deservedly happily-ever-after. Directed by Graham Silbert from original direction by Playhouse Artistic Director Chris DeCarlo, kids and adults alike will be delighted by this brand-new Dorothy adventure! Birthday and Tea Parties, hosted by costumed fairy tale characters, are available with every performance. Photo opps with the actors after the show, and every child receives a complimentary Theatre Games Activity Booklet with fun acting games to play at a party, on a rainy day, or with family and friends.

Santa Monica Playhouse programs are supported in part by grants from the City of Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Arts Commission, the Ahmanson Foundation, the Cotkin Family and Playhouse PALS.

Saturdays at 2pm, Sundays at 12:30, April 6 through June 30, 2019

Website

Print

Apr. 8th - 18th

"My daughter had a blast! It's amazing what they can accomplish in only one short week. Nothing like it anywhere else!" says workshop mom Mary Ann Mayer. It's a wonderful way for youngsters to enjoy the thrill of theatre as they create and perform in a play in only four days! "I can't stop smiling cheek to cheek!" says student Maia A. after her first day. In this spectacular adventure in imagination kids 6 to 14 dive into all aspects of play production, working with professional theatre artists and making friends, as they boost self-confidence, discover new and create and perform an original play, complete with acting, music, movement, costumes, make-up, lighting, sound, props, sets and more!

"A delight! I always tell other parents - you get more for your money (more fun, more education, more actual camp hours) at SM Playhouse than any other camp available," advises Mary Redfield. It's the perfect way for aspiring thespians or curious first-timers to spend an enchanting vacation week and get a taste of what expressive imagination is all about. A live performance for family and friends is the highlight of an inspiring week that build confidence, excites the intellect and tickles the funny bone. "Thank you for nurturing, inspiring and transforming our kids," exclaims Nola Olympia Jose. And Maroon 5's Mickey Madden calls the Playhouse Acting Program "Great in so many ways!"

Playhouse alumni include Kate Hudson, Zooey Deschanel, Emily Deschanel, Jason Ritter, Jason Segel, Newark Superintendent of Schools Cami Anderson and Gadi Dechter, Deputy Director of the Office of Policy and Strategic Planning at the U.S. Commerce Department. Enrollment is limited and classes fill up fast! What's better than watching your kids perform live on stage in a play they helped create! Mon-Fri, April 8-12 (5 days) and Mon-Thurs, April 15-18 (4 days), 9am to 3pm. If your school's break dates are different, just bring us 5 students and we'll create a program especially for you on the dates of your choice! Financial assistance, multi-session and sibling discounts available. The Santa Monica Playhouse Diversity-in-Education Conservatory celebrates its 50th anniversary this year!

Website

Print