Whether you’re a fan of this classic book, or just excited to have the chance to take your littlest theater fan for a night out on the town, the Seattle Children’s Theater’s production of Goodnight Moon hits just the right note for parents and kids. There are plenty of silly, sight gags to make the wee ones giggle. And lots of “you are so my people” moments parents will share with the Old Lady. Long story short, it’s a sweet production, no matter what your age. Bravo!
photo: Chris Bennion
In the great green room…
In this production, there’s definitely a telephone and a red balloon. And who can forget that silly cow jumping over the moon (but we’ll get to that in a moment)? From the minute your Littles lay eyes on this perfectly reproduced stage, they’ll think they’ve stepped into Margaret Wise Brown’s adorable story. Every detail is there, from the little toy house on down to the young mouse; even the bowl full of mush sits at its rightful place on Bunny’s bedside table. It’s this air of familiarity that will settle even the wiggliest dramatists down for a sweet night at the theater.
photo: Chris Bennion
And the quiet old lady whispering hush…
Just like the book, the storyline of the play is a simple one. It’s bedtime for Bunny. But just like real life, putting Bunny to bed is not as simple as it seems. He needs some water. And then he needs to be tucked in. Sound familiar? And the list goes on, as the Old Lady calmly redirects him again and again back to his comfy bed. With each interruption comes a little mini story, focused on one aspect of the book. The kittens play with string on Bunny’s bed, keeping him wide awake. The bears on chairs leap from the painting to entertain Bunny with a catchy little tap number. Even the lamp and the blankets on the bed get in on the action, with magical puppetry and special effects that will keep your sidekick wondering, “how did they do that?” And the story unfolds, as all parents well know, with Bunny finally, finally giving in and heading off to sleep, but not without a lot of coaxing, singing and whimsical distractions along the way.
photo: Chris Bennion
The play, put on in the Eve Alvord Theater, clocks in at just under 90 minutes, with a solid 10-minute intermission so the tot lot can get their wiggles out. The theater has cushy bench seats so kidlets can spread out if they need to and move with more freedom than traditional theater seats allow. This makes for easy viewing for those as young as three. But if you’ve got one that just can’t wait to share an insight, or really wants to ask questions throughout the production, there’s always the quiet room at the top of the theater, where parents can take their busy sidekicks without missing any of the action on stage. Everything’s piped in up there, so drama kings and queens can be as excited as they want to be. And who can blame them, really? This stuff is fun!
photo: Chris Bennion
Goodnight Activities
The Seattle Children’s Theatre staff is always so thoughtful about what their littlest audience members take away from any performance, and Goodnight Moon is no exception. If you’re looking for a side of learning to enhance your theatrical outing, be sure to leaf through the online Active Audience Guide before or after the show. It’s chock full of goodies about the performance, with insider info on everything from costuming to puppeteering to how the stage was made. Curious kiddos will also get a kick out of the coloring pages, reading suggestions and sweet sleepy poems that are in there too. Our suggestion? Print out a copy to keep the wee ones occupied before the show starts.
photo: Chris Bennion
Goodnight Extras
Friday nights are jammie nights during Goodnight Moon’s run. Be sure to dress the kiddos in their bedtime best (and join in if you’re game!), and bring a blankie or stuffie to cuddle with during the show. Not only does this make for some of the cutest viewing you’ve ever seen, but it makes putting them straight to bed after the show a cinch too. Select performances will have a little pre-show reading of Goodnight Moon and Runaway Bunny (which has a sweet cameo in the play) in comfy poufs set up in the lobby. And families are encouraged to bring along new pajamas or a new copy of your favorite bedtime book to donate to Wellspring Family Services at any of the performances. These little extras will help make bedtime easier for area families in need.
photo: Allison Sutcliffe
An extra special part of this show is the sensory-friendly performance, scheduled for April 4 at 5:30 p.m., designed to put kiddos with diverse developmental and sensory needs at ease. This relaxed performance will include subdued lighting and sound effects, as well as a chance to “Meet the Theater” on March 29 at 4:30 p.m. Here, curious cuties will have a chance to tour the theater and ask questions before attending the performance. Check out all the sensory goodness must-knows online.
Good to know
If seeing Goodnight Moon is definitely on your must-see list, grab tickets quickly as a few performances are already sold out!
Seattle Children’s Theatre
201 Thomas St.
Seattle, Wa 98109
206-441-3322
Online: sct.org/Shows/2014-2015-Season/Goodnight-Moon
Dates & times: Thur.-Fri., 7 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m. & 5:30 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.
When: March 5–April 26
Cost: $20-$40
Ages: 3 & up
Are you planning to see Goodnight Moon? Have you seen it already? Tell us your favorite part of the production in a comment below.
— Allison Sutcliffe
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