Family-Friendly Summer at Willow

The Willow Theatre, located in Sugar Sand Park, will once again be the place for family entertainment this summer.

Once a month on a Saturday Willow will host shows that community members of all ages can enjoy.

The Family-Friendly Summer Theatre Series begins on June 13 with Snow White, Before The Dwarfs. The hour-long show is loaded with fun and songs, exploring Snow White's life before she met her seven little friends and Prince Charming. Tickets are $9 for adults, $7 for kids 12 and under.

On July 11 The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County hops its way into the Willow Theatre. The adaptation of the Mark Twain short story brings the California Gold Rush to life through puppetry, music and Twain's colorful characters. Tickets for the 45-minute show are $12 for adults, $9 for children 12 and under.

August 1 will feature Dorothy walking into the Willow Theatre in her ruby red slippers for a production of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Attendees are invited to follow the yellow brick road through a unique production of the classic. 

Accompanied by a cat named Todo, Dorothy still tries to find her way back to Kansas. On the way she meets a disco-dancing Scarecrow, a wi-fi powered Tin Man and a Cowardly Lion. The Wicked Witch has her own YouTube channel.

Tickets to see the hour-long Wizard are $12 for adults, $9 for children 12 and under.

Two performances of each of the three shows are scheduled. The first one starts at 11 a.m., the second at 1 p.m.

Purchasing tickets in advance for all shows is advised, as they tend to sell out. This can be done by visiting the Willow Theatre's Family Productions website, clicking on the show you'd like to see, then following the link for tickets.

After all shows, families are invited to patio parties which offer free activities for children and a treat-based food truck.

Add a trip to the Science Explorium or the Science Playground and you have a full day of family fun.