Peter Pan, a favorite fictional character from musical theatre, represents how a child’s belief is so powerful that it can lift them into the air to fly. Theatre is just like that: it’s a transformative experience that sends the audience to other worlds like walking through enchanted wardrobes or running through platform nine and three-quarters. The audience is asked to picture themselves amongst the talking animals and riding winged dragons. Believing in magic and in the ability to fly? Learning new lessons with an open heart? The perfect audience member for the theatre is a child. 

This spring, bring your child to witness the magic and experience the joy of theatre with the story of Pete the Cat, the Denver Children’s Theatre performance with the Mizel Arts and Culture Center at the Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center. Pete is a jazzy, guitar-playing, skateboard-riding cat who assists his pal Jimmy, a second grader who is attempting to conquer a lack of inspiration in art class. Jimmy learns that challenges are never meant to be faced alone. Strength, creativity, and friendship are the remedy. Not only will your student be exposed to live performance, but the show will transform their way of thinking. Tim Campbell, the Mizel Arts and Culture Center Program Director shares, “Theatre can open a child’s eyes to what they have never experienced before and foster a broader perspective. The experience of the characters on stage can inspire them to turn inwards and learn about who they are. It can help a child feel seen in how they move through life.” Storytelling is the tool to teach, explore social issues, and create connections for your little one. 

The Mizel Arts and Culture Center has been offering Denver Children’s Theatre (DCT) for twenty-eight years, bringing a professionally produced, book-based musical theatre performance to the children of seven counties served by Scientific Facilities District (SCFD). Tailored especially for pre-K through third graders, the performance will be forty-five minutes of singing and dancing. Pete the Cat will feature local Denver actors and talent, including director Matt Zambrano. Matt is returning to DCT after directing Tomas and the Library Lady in 2023. He has also directed at the Arvada Center and acted in the Colorado Shakespeare Festival as well as the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Denver Children’s Theatre is accessible to all ages with weekday performances reserved for local schools. Any school willing to take a field trip can enjoy the show, stay for lunch, and take a “tech tour” backstage where they will meet the actors and learn about the technical components of creating a show. Pete the Cat will be shown from February 26 through March 20 with public performances on Sundays. The performance on Sunday, March 1, will be Scientific Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) accessibility day – a free show with low-lights, audio description, a calming sensory room, and ASL interpreters.  

Bring your student (or kiddo) to witness the wonder of musical theatre. Your little one will leave with a newfound belief in themself and the world.