2023/2024 SEASON OF PLAYS

2023/2024 SEASON OF PLAYS

Escape from Peligro Island . This play runs on May 10 – June 2, 2024

A Create Your Own Adventure Play By Finegan Kruckemeyer Directed by Jeff Frank

Callaway Brown - an unlikely young hero - has been stranded on a desert island, and it’s up to YOU to decide what happens next! In this interactive production, audience members vote on Callaway’s actions in an energetic romp through time and space. Will Callaway time travel to the Wild West and meet a talking horse? Develop superpowers and fight crime in the future? Or have a crush on a vampire? The choice is yours!

Escape from Peligro Island . This play runs on May 10 – June 2, 2024

A Create Your Own Adventure Play By Finegan Kruckemeyer Directed by Jeff Frank

Callaway Brown - an unlikely young hero - has been stranded on a desert island, and it’s up to YOU to decide what happens next! In this interactive production, audience members vote on Callaway’s actions in an energetic romp through time and space. Will Callaway time travel to the Wild West and meet a talking horse? Develop superpowers and fight crime in the future? Or have a crush on a vampire? The choice is yours!

Pete The Cat . This play runs on October 4 – November 3, 2024

Based on the Pete the Cat series of books by Kimberly and James Dean

Meet Pete. He’s one groovy, guitar-playing cat, who likes his music cool and his coffee sweet. When Pete moves in with the Biddles, Jimmy—the most organized second grader on earth—is unsure of this cat’s antics and laid-back ‘tude. But when he draws a blank in art class, Pete’s the perfect pal to lead the mission to help Jimmy find his inspiration. Board the VW bus for a trip around the globe with Pete, Jimmy and friends in this hilarious, toe-tapping musical! 

Pete The Cat . This play runs on October 4 – November 3, 2024

Based on the Pete the Cat series of books by Kimberly and James Dean

Meet Pete. He’s one groovy, guitar-playing cat, who likes his music cool and his coffee sweet. When Pete moves in with the Biddles, Jimmy—the most organized second grader on earth—is unsure of this cat’s antics and laid-back ‘tude. But when he draws a blank in art class, Pete’s the perfect pal to lead the mission to help Jimmy find his inspiration. Board the VW bus for a trip around the globe with Pete, Jimmy and friends in this hilarious, toe-tapping musical! 

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER™: THE MUSICAL . This play runs on November 29 – December 29, 2024

Based on the animated television special “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and the stage production directed and conceived by Jeff Frank and First Stage.

Come home for the holidays as the most famous reindeer of all soars off the screen and returns to First Stage this season. Celebrating 60 years on television, join Rudolph and friends as they come to life on stage in an adventure that teaches us that what makes you different can be what makes you special. Acclaimed as “...packed full of holiday magic and family fun” by the Shepherd Expressdon’t miss this wonderful holiday tradition that speaks to the misfit in all of us. 

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER™: THE MUSICAL . This play runs on November 29 – December 29, 2024

Based on the animated television special “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and the stage production directed and conceived by Jeff Frank and First Stage.

Come home for the holidays as the most famous reindeer of all soars off the screen and returns to First Stage this season. Celebrating 60 years on television, join Rudolph and friends as they come to life on stage in an adventure that teaches us that what makes you different can be what makes you special. Acclaimed as “...packed full of holiday magic and family fun” by the Shepherd Expressdon’t miss this wonderful holiday tradition that speaks to the misfit in all of us. 

The Dinosaur Play . This play runs on January 18 – February 16, 2025

By Steve and Kathy Hotchner 

Imagine going back to visit a world, millions and millions of years ago, into the last age of the dinosaurs. In front of you is a dinosaur egg, tapping out a call for help. You will figure out what the egg is saying and help the egg to hatch.  Make a pact with a surly Triceratops, protect the newly formed dinosaur family and help defeat Tyrannosaurus Rex.

The Dinosaur Play . This play runs on January 18 – February 16, 2025

By Steve and Kathy Hotchner 

Imagine going back to visit a world, millions and millions of years ago, into the last age of the dinosaurs. In front of you is a dinosaur egg, tapping out a call for help. You will figure out what the egg is saying and help the egg to hatch.  Make a pact with a surly Triceratops, protect the newly formed dinosaur family and help defeat Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Emily Song and the Queen of the Night . This play runs on January 31 – February 16, 2025

Book, Lyrics, Music and Orchestrations by Marcus Yi

Emily Song had always known that she was meant to sing. However, her father banned music from their lives for as long as she can remember. But that doesn't stop Emily from secretly taking singing lessons online or joining the school glee club. On her 12th birthday, Emily's powers manifest and she discovers she is a music mage—a sorcerer who can cast magical spells through music. When the Queen of the Night kidnaps her father and best friend, Emily must figure out how to harness her newly discovered talent to save her loved ones—and New York City— from total destruction. Grab your cape, and be the first to see this brand new musical, part of the TYA BIPOC Superhero Project.

Emily Song and the Queen of the Night . This play runs on January 31 – February 16, 2025

Book, Lyrics, Music and Orchestrations by Marcus Yi

Emily Song had always known that she was meant to sing. However, her father banned music from their lives for as long as she can remember. But that doesn't stop Emily from secretly taking singing lessons online or joining the school glee club. On her 12th birthday, Emily's powers manifest and she discovers she is a music mage—a sorcerer who can cast magical spells through music. When the Queen of the Night kidnaps her father and best friend, Emily must figure out how to harness her newly discovered talent to save her loved ones—and New York City— from total destruction. Grab your cape, and be the first to see this brand new musical, part of the TYA BIPOC Superhero Project.

Disney & Pixar's Finding Nemo . This play runs on March 8 – April 6, 2025

Based on the 2003 Disney/Pixar film Finding Nemo written by Andrew Stanton, Bob Peterson, David Reynolds & directed by Andrew Stanton

The beloved 2003 Pixar movie comes to life on stage, with new music by the award-winning songwriting team behind Frozen. Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean. With the help of lovable characters such as optimistic Dory, laid-back sea turtle Crush and the supportive Tank Gang, Marlin and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves. Dive into this underwater adventure!  

Disney & Pixar's Finding Nemo . This play runs on March 8 – April 6, 2025

Based on the 2003 Disney/Pixar film Finding Nemo written by Andrew Stanton, Bob Peterson, David Reynolds & directed by Andrew Stanton

The beloved 2003 Pixar movie comes to life on stage, with new music by the award-winning songwriting team behind Frozen. Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean. With the help of lovable characters such as optimistic Dory, laid-back sea turtle Crush and the supportive Tank Gang, Marlin and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves. Dive into this underwater adventure!  

Ride The Cyclone . This play runs on March 28 - April 13, 2025

Young Company Performance Project

In this hilarious and outlandish musical, the lives of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir are cut short in a freak accident aboard a roller coaster. When they awake in limbo, a mechanical fortune teller invites each to tell a story to win a prize like no other — the chance to return to life. With music showcasing various musical genres—from glam rock to pop to rap and folk—buckle up for a funny, moving look at what makes a life well-lived! 

Ride The Cyclone . This play runs on March 28 - April 13, 2025

Young Company Performance Project

In this hilarious and outlandish musical, the lives of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir are cut short in a freak accident aboard a roller coaster. When they awake in limbo, a mechanical fortune teller invites each to tell a story to win a prize like no other — the chance to return to life. With music showcasing various musical genres—from glam rock to pop to rap and folk—buckle up for a funny, moving look at what makes a life well-lived! 

Esperanza Rising . This play runs on May 2-18, 2025

Two young storytellers, with the help of an ensemble of actors, take the stage and begin to weave the tale of Esperanza — a wealthy Mexican girl whose privileged existence is shattered when tragedy strikes, and she and her mother must flee to California. Forced to work in a migrant labor camp, Esperanza must learn to rise above her difficult circumstances and discover what she's truly made of. Set in the turbulent 1930s, and based on the popular book by Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Rising is a poetic tale of a young girl's triumph over adversity.

Esperanza Rising . This play runs on May 2-18, 2025

Two young storytellers, with the help of an ensemble of actors, take the stage and begin to weave the tale of Esperanza — a wealthy Mexican girl whose privileged existence is shattered when tragedy strikes, and she and her mother must flee to California. Forced to work in a migrant labor camp, Esperanza must learn to rise above her difficult circumstances and discover what she's truly made of. Set in the turbulent 1930s, and based on the popular book by Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Rising is a poetic tale of a young girl's triumph over adversity.

Elephant & Piggie's "We Are In a Play!" . This play runs on FEBRUARY 24 – MARCH 24, 2024

Based on the Elephant & Piggie books by Mo Willems

Please note: this Pay What You Choose Performance is SOLD OUT!

Elephant & Piggie's "We Are In a Play!" . This play runs on FEBRUARY 24 – MARCH 24, 2024

Based on the Elephant & Piggie books by Mo Willems

Please note: this Pay What You Choose Performance is SOLD OUT!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Musical . This play runs on Friday, April 12, 2024 at 7PM

Based on the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" book series by Jeff Kinney and the 20th Century Fox Films

This Pay What You Choose Performance is sponsored by First Stage's Inclusion & Accessibility Partner

Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Musical . This play runs on Friday, April 12, 2024 at 7PM

Based on the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" book series by Jeff Kinney and the 20th Century Fox Films

This Pay What You Choose Performance is sponsored by First Stage's Inclusion & Accessibility Partner