THE LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE YOUTH THEATRE PRESENTS
THE BOXCAR CHILDREN
APRIL 23 - 25 AT THE LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE
Get ready for fun and adventure as The Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre brings the cherished children's book The Boxcar Children to life on stage April 23 - 25.Originally written in 1924 by Gertrude Chandler Warner and adapted for the stage in 1999 by Barbara Field, The Boxcar Children tells the story of four orphaned children during the Great Depression. After their parents drown in a boating accident, the children - ages 5 to 14 - run away when they overhear talk of putting them in separate foster homes. With the motto, "we stick together like glue," the children find an abandoned railroad boxcar and turn it into their home.
"The play reiterates the feeling of community and family, and that family sometimes takes different shapes and forms than what we think it's supposed to be," explains director Kelly Herman.
The Boxcar Children also explores the themes of personal integrity, maturity, and making do with what you have. In tough economic times, people begin to appreciate the things in life that cannot be bought, like the generosity and kindness of friends, family and strangers.
"With our current economic situation, it's a reminder that we can make good things happen even when we don't have a lot," says Herman.
According to Herman, this production of The Boxcar Children is being staged as it would have been done in the great depression.
"The actors never leave the stage, and all the music and sound effects are done on stage," she says. "Back in the 1930s, people would say ‘let's do a play!' so that is exactly what we're doing."
Of the play, The Seattle Times said, "Though the central story is the same, Field's script amplifies the psychological and social dimensions of the book considerably. With all the added material, The Boxcar Children has grown into an extended, more instructive and informative tale."
Performance Dates
April 23: 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m.
April 24: 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
April 25: 1 p.m. & 5:00 p.m.
Ticket Prices
Children: $18
Adults: $20
FOR INFORMATION & TO PURCHASE TICKETS:
CALL: 949.497.ARTS (2787)
GROUP SALES: 949.497.2787 ext. 229
VISIT: http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com/
