SYAA Past Seasons
2023-2024
Music Man JR
Based on Meredith Willson's six-time-Tony-Award-winning musical comedy, The Music Man JR. features some of musical theatre’s most iconic songs and a story filled with wit, warmth and good old-fashioned romance. The Music Man JR. is family entertainment at its best — a bold, brassy show that will have the whole town atwitter!
The Phantom Tollbooth
For Milo, everything's a bore! Then one day, a tollbooth appears . . . and he drives through because he has nothing better to do. On the other side, in a fantastical land and time, Milo learns about time from a ticking watchdog named Tock. Then he jumps into many different places named Expectations, Dictionopolis, and Digitopolis . . . Joins in a battle between Words and Numbers . . . Even rescues the Pricesses Rhyme and Reason from the Castle-in-the-Air!
SYAA's Home for the Holidays
There truly is no place like home for the holidays, and in this holiday cabaret, the kids go rockin’ around the Christmas tree as they hope that everybody makes it home for Christmas in time. Featuring homey holiday classics like “Up on the Housetop,” “We Need a Little Christmas” and a special “Here Comes Santa Claus,” this original musical comedy creation will have you feeling nostalgic and leave you in the perfect Christmas spirit.
Disney High School Musical
High School Musical has become a cherished part of American theatre, inspiring countless individuals with its infectious music, heartfelt story, and vibrant characters. First debuting on the Disney Channel in 2006, this iconic musical took the world by storm. With its infectious tunes, empowering themes, and relatable characters, High School Musical has become a modern classic that continues to resonate with audiences of all ages.
Finding Nemo JR
Disney’s Finding Nemo JR. is a musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie Finding Nemo, with new music by award-winning songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.
Featuring memorable songs such as “Just Keep Swimming,” “Fish Are Friends Not Food,” and “Go With the Flow,” Finding Nemo JR. brings a vibrant underwater world to life on stage in a story full of family, friendship, and adventure.
Disney's Newsies The Musical
It's time to carry the banner on stage with Disney's Newsies! Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged "newsies."
When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what's right!
101 Dalmatians Kids
Based on the classic animated film, Disney’s 101 Dalmatians KIDS is a fur-raising adventure featuring Cruella De Vil, Disney’s most outrageous villain, and 101 of the most adorable heroes to set their paws onstage. With a high-spirited score and lovable characters, this stage adaptation is certain to charm and delight all audiences.
2022-2023
The Sound of Music
The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world's most beloved musical. Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including "Climb Ev'ry Mountain," "My Favorite Things," "Do Re Mi," "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" and the title number, The Sound of Music won the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning five Tony Awards and five Oscars. The inspirational story, based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp, follows an ebullient postulate who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household. But as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, Maria and the entire von Trapp family must make a moral decision.
A Christmas Carol -- The Musical
Ebenezer Scrooge is a prosperous curmudgeon who believes that personal wealth is far more valuable than the happiness and comfort of others. With an infuriated "Bah! Humbug!" Scrooge summates his feelings of Christmas tidings and charitable giving, but he's forced to face his selfish ways when three ghosts on Christmas Eve lead him through his Past, Present and Future. Thanks to their guidance, Scrooge recognizes his faults and greets Christmas morning with a cheerful "Happy Christmas" before spending the day reconnecting and sharing love with those that mean the most to him.
Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella
Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella is the new Broadway adaptation of the classic musical. This contemporary take on the classic tale features Rodgers & Hammerstein's most beloved songs, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It's Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago,” alongside an up-to-date, hilarious and romantic libretto by Tony Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane.
The Princess and the Pea
The story revolves around the search for a ’true princess’ for Prince Peter. The kingdom can remain free only as long as there is a Royal King and Queen on the throne, but only a ’true princess’ can pass the test, marry the Prince and succeed to the throne. She must be able to feel a small pea through twenty mattresses. The search for a royal princess carries Peter through a host of exciting adventures that will entertain youngsters from start to finish.
Peter Pan, Jr.
Peter and his mischievous fairy sidekick, Tinkerbell, visit the nursery of the Darling children late one night and, with a sprinkle of pixie dust, begin a magical journey across the stars that none of them will ever forget. In the adventure of a lifetime, the travelers come face to face with a ticking crocodile, the fierce Brave Girls, a band of bungling pirates and, of course, the villainous Captain Hook.
Big Fish
Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed film directed by Tim Burton, BIG FISH tells the story of Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest…and then some! Edward’s incredible, larger-than-life stories thrill everyone around him—most of all, his devoted wife Sandra. But their son Will, about to have a child of his own, is determined to find the truth behind his father’s epic tales. Overflowing with heart and humor, BIG FISH is an extraordinary musical that reminds us why we love going to the theatre—for an experience that’s richer, funnier and bigger than life itself.
2021-2022
Elf the Musical Jr.
Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa's permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh reality that his father is on the naughty list and that his half brother doesn't even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.
Aladdin Jr.
Aladdin and his three friends, Babkak, Omar, and Kassim, are down on their luck until Aladdin discovers a magic lamp and the Genie who has the power to grant three wishes. Wanting to earn the respect of the princess, Jasmine, Aladdin embarks on an adventure that will test his will and his moral character.
James and the Giant Peach
When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that results in a tremendous peach... and launches a journey of enormous proportions. Suddenly, James finds himself in the center of the gigantic peach, among human-sized insects with equally oversized personalities, but after it falls from the tree and rolls into the ocean, the group faces hunger, sharks and plenty of disagreements. Thanks to James' quick wit and creative thinking, the residents learn to live and work together as a family. The dangerous voyage is a success, but the adventure takes a whole new twist once they land on the Empire State Building.
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical
As the half-blood son of a Greek god, Percy Jackson has newly-discovered powers he can't control, a destiny he doesn't want, and a mythology textbook's worth of monsters on his trail. When Zeus's master lightning bolt is stolen and Percy becomes the prime suspect, he has to find and return the bolt to prove his innocence and prevent a war between the gods. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the thief. He must travel to the Underworld and back; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend; and come to terms with the father who abandoned him. Adapted from the best-selling book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan and featuring a thrilling original rock score, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is an action-packed mythical adventure "worthy of the gods"
Bright Star
Inspired by a true story and featuring the Tony®-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s BRIGHT STAR tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s. When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past—and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives. With beautiful melodies and powerfully moving characters, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tightly in its grasp, BRIGHT STAR is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful.
2020-2021
Willy Wonka, Jr.
The delicious adventures of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl's fantastical tale. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film, in addition to a host of fun new songs, Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka JR. is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone's sweet tooth.
The Great Gatsby
Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, passionately pursues the elusive Daisy Buchanan. Nick Carraway, a young newcomer to Long Island, is drawn into their world of obsession, greed and danger. The breathtaking glamour and decadent excess of the Jazz Age come to the stage in F. Scott Fitzgerald s classic novel, and in Simon Levy s adaptation, approved by the Fitzgerald Estate.
Holiday Hoedown 2: Christmas Around the Campfire
Join us as our little SYAA troupe ventures into the wilderness to brainstorm ideas for a Christmas celebration in this, our eight installment of our annual holiday tradition. Getting back to nature inspires the troupe to consider a variety of styles and types of holiday music and jokes to entertain any audience. Grandmas might get run over by reindeer as we revisit Holliday classics with a country twist. As we gather round the campfire, our city-dwelling kids navigate the weekend in a less than ideal outdoor setting. Come see who will two step around the Christmas tree and who will trip as the scale the Jingle Bell Rock.
Disney's The Little Mermaid
Ariel, King Triton's youngest daughter, wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above, bargaining with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But the bargain is not what it seems, and Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends, Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull and Sebastian the crab to restore order under the sea.
The Iliad, the Odyssey, and All of Greek Mythology in 99 Minutes or Less
On a simple stage, with the clock ticking in front of everyone's eyes, the cast speeds through all of Greek Mythology. Its funny, updated, and made easy to understand. The Gods walk the Red Carpet. The Creation of Mankind is a botched subcontractors job. Man and Pandora try settling down despite an ominous wedding gift. Love stories are a dating show and the Greek Tragedies are sports highlights! And don't forget the two greatest stories ever told, The Iliad and The Odyssey. Kidnap Helen of Troy and you've got a 10 year slap-fight of epic proportions with pouty Achilles, war-hungry Agamemnon, and clever Odysseus, destined to wander the seas for 10 more years fighting giants, seductresses, and the Gods themselves. All the silly decisions, the absurd destinies, and the goofy characters are presented lightning-bolt fast with hysterical results as the clock is stopped with only seconds to spare.
Legally Blonde, the Musical
A fabulously fun award-winning musical based on the adored movie, Legally Blonde The Musical, follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Action-packed and exploding with memorable songs and dynamic dances - this musical is so much fun, it should be illegal!
Elle Woods appears to have it all. Her life is turned upside down when her boyfriend Warner dumps her so he can attend Harvard Law. Determined to get him back, Elle ingeniously charms her way into the prestigious law school. While there, she struggles with peers, professors and her ex. With the support of some new friends, though, Elle quickly realizes her potential and sets out to prove herself to the world.
2019-2020
Disney's Frozen, Jr.
The enchanting modern classic from Disney is ready to take the stage by storm! Frozen JR. is based on the 2018 Broadway musical, and brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life, onstage. The show features all of the memorable songs from the animated film, with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, plus five new songs written for the Broadway production. A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen JR. expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. With a cast of beloved characters and loaded with magic, adventure, and plenty of humor, Frozen JR. is sure to thaw even the coldest heart!
The Diary of Anne Frank
As vital today as when it was first written, Anne Frank’s extraordinary diary has become an essential part of how we remember one of the darkest periods of human history. Filled with its young author’s luminous spirit – her “boundless desire for all that is beautiful and good” – the diary also illuminates the coming-of-age of a complex, passionate young girl as she falls in love, grows into a woman and struggles to survive with her family amid the chaos of war and religious persecution.
Hollywood Holiday 2: Laugh-In Edition
Join us as our little SYAA stage is transformed into a big Hollywood soundstage ready to celebrate the holidays. In our seventh annual holiday cabaret, our SYAAers travel back to Hollywood and back in time to the late 60s and the days of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In. With high energy, silly jokes, and a captivating set full of color, pattern, and one or two surprises along the way, Hollywood Holiday 2 is sure to ring the jingle bells in all of us. Featuring songs such as "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas," "Silver Bells," "Making Christmas," and "Put a Little Love In Your Heart," your heart will be singing and your soul will be celebrating the spirit of the season. Oh, and did we mention that there are jokes? Lots and lots of jokes. Come "Laugh-in" the holidays with us, and we'll show you how we do Christmas with a twist.
Disney's The Lion King, Jr.
Join us as the African savannah comes to life on our stage with Simba, Rafiki and an unforgettable cast of characters as they journey from Pride Rock to the jungle... and back again, in this inspiring, coming-of-age tale.
Little Women, the Broadway Musical
Based on Louisa May Alcott's life, Little Women follows the adventures of sisters, Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March. Jo is trying to sell her stories for publication, but the publishers are not interested – her friend, Professor Bhaer, tells her that she has to do better and write more from herself. Begrudgingly taking this advice, Jo weaves the story of herself and her sisters and their experience growing up in Civil War America. Little Women embodies the complete theatrical experience, guaranteeing a night filled with laughter, tears and a lifting of the spirit. All of this along with a powerful score that soars with the sounds of personal discovery, heartache and hope and the sounds of a young America finding its voice.
Les Misérables
In nineteenth century France, Jean Valjean is released from years of unjust imprisonment, but finds nothing in store for him but mistrust and mistreatment. He breaks his parole in hopes of starting a new life, initiating a lifelong struggle for redemption as he is relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways. Finally, during the Paris student uprising of 1832, Javert must confront his ideals after Valjean spares his life and saves that of the student revolutionary who has captured the heart of Valjean's adopted daughter.
2018-2019
Schoolhouse Rock Live, Too!
Schoolhouse Rock Live Too! draws its inspiration from the Emmy Award-winning cartoon series, Schoolhouse Rock. Audiences will fall in love with Nina, the owner of a fading diner, and her wacky friends (made up of a friendly waitress, a "regular" at the diner, a chef and a first-day schoolteacher) as they try to brainstorm ways to save their run-down diner. As they reject one idea after the next, they remain encouraged by songs from their favorite show, "Schoolhouse Rock.” In the end, they realize that the answer was right in front of them all along... the Conjunction Junction Diner is up and running and open for business! Come laugh, smile, and sing along to your favorite educational classics!
Poe Dreams of Madness
Macabre author Edgar Allan Poe’s classic tales come to life in this award-winning adaptation that’s both original and familiar, with classic elements from several of his most famous stories. It’s nearly midnight, of course, and our troubled protagonist is having difficulty sleeping... or at least he thinks he is: “I am haunted by dreams, even when I wake. And so I wander in this dazed stupor, unsure if I am awake or asleep, unsure if I am alive.” With the Raven acting as a grim and mischievous tour guide, both the positively dead and the presumed living give breath to thrilling Poe retellings that have a finger firmly on the pulse of his greatest Gothic works, including “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Fall of the House of Usher,” “The Pit and the Pendulum,” “The Masque of the Red Death,” “The Raven,” and more. Will Poe ever rest easy again? Will you? So sayeth the Raven: nevermore.
Christmas on Broadway 2
Our SYAA actors and actresses head back to Broadway for our 6th installment of our annual holiday cabaret to celebrate Christmas, Broadway style! Featuring holiday classics like "White Christmas," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and "Counting Down to Christmas," these Broadway standards and some secular favorites will have you feeling the magic of theatre and leave you in the perfect Christmas spirit. Join us back on Broadway and break a leg!
Disney's Beauty and the Beast
Step into the enchanted world of Broadway's modern classic, Disney's Beauty and the Beast. This classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity. This "tale as old as time" is one you won't want to miss!
Belle's Storybook Adventure
SYAA is proud to announce its first Studio Series Production. Belle's Storybook Adventure, an hour long comedic play, is an SYAA original script that acts as a pre-quel to Beauty and the Beast, and is perfect for kids and adults of all ages.
Belle is in search of the perfect birthday gift for her father Maurice. But three village girls beg Belle to read one of the books that they see her with so often. Of course, Belle obliges, and as she reads, the stories come to life on the stage. Familiar stories with reinvented characters, the girls reenact the stories of the Prince and the Pig, A Toy Tale, and Knotted, interrupted more than once by Gaston and his trusty sidekick Lefou. In the end, Belle finds the perfect gift for her father and helps him prepare for the Inventor's Convention the next morning.
Wonderland High
It's Alice's first day at Wonderland High and she is worried that she won't fit in, and having her bratty little brother in the junior high on the same campus isn't helping things at all. From her first encounter with Bunny, the head cheerleader, to her lunchroom meeting with the Mad Hat and his rap crew, Alice doesn't understand why everyone in high school can't just get along. Celebrating the writing and wit of Lewis Carroll, with his characters reimagined in a contemporary high school setting, Wonderland High is sure to take you on a trip through the halls of academia that you will never forget.
2017-2018
Junie B. Jones
It's Junie B.'s first day of first grade, and a lot of things have changed for her: Junie's friend, Lucille, doesn't want to be her best pal anymore, and on the bus, Junie B. makes friends with Herb, the new kid at school. Also, Junie has trouble reading the blackboard, and her teacher Mr. Scary thinks she may need glasses. Throw in a friendly cafeteria lady, a kickball tournament, and a "Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal," and first grade has never been more exciting.
Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None
In this stage adaptation of Agatha Christie's famous novel, eight guests who have never met each other or their apparently absent host and hostess are lured to the island and, along with the two house servants, marooned. A mysterious voice accuses each of having gotten away with murder and then one drops dead - poisoned. One down. Nine to go!
Home for the Holidays
There truly is no place like home for the holidays, and in the fifth installment of SYAA’s annual holiday cabaret, the kids go rockin’ around the Christmas tree as they hope that everybody makes it home for Christmas in time. Featuring homey holiday classics like “Up on the Housetop,” “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” and a special “March of the Wooden Soldiers,” this original musical comedy creation will have you feeling nostalgic and leave you in the perfect Christmas spirit.
Seussical, the Musical
The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to military school for thinking too many "thinks." Horton faces a double challenge: not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping, and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family, and community are challenged and emerge triumphant.
Treasure Island
An old and menacing sea captain, Billy Bones, tells young Jim Hawkins to keep an eye out for a man with one leg who’s looking for the treasure map of Captain John Flint. When that man finally appears, Bones entrusts the map to Jim’s safekeeping before collapsing. Jim shows the map to Dr. Livesey and Squire Trelawney, and they excitedly decide to put together a pirate crew to collect Captain Flint’s haul from Skeleton Island. Join Jim and his crew for adventure on the high seas and find out if dead men really do tell no tales.
Hairspray
It's 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable plus-size teen, Tracy Turnblad, has only one desire – to dance on the popular "Corny Collins Show." When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob, Link Larkin, and integrate a TV network... all without denting her 'do!
2016-2017
School of Rock
SCHOOL OF ROCK is a brand new musical based on the famous Paramount film written by Mike White, which starred Jack Black. The musical follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. Completely disinterested in academic work, Dewey decides to create his own curriculum, turning his class into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. The stage musical on Broadway is produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber, who has composed 14 new songs to create a score, which also features all of the original songs from the movie. SCHOOL OF ROCK, with its sensational live kids’ rock band, is a loving testimony to the transforming power of music. May the spirit of rock be with you!
Romeo & Juliet
Star-crossed lovers, sword fights in the streets, a busybody of a nurse, and a meddling friar… these are what make up Shakespeare’s most beloved tragedy, a classic tale of love found and love lost. You might think you know Shakespeare, but you haven’t seen anything until you see these characters come to life under the masterful direction of Resident Artist Cathy Airhart Webb. Your heart will swell, your eyes will water, and you will hold your breath in anticipation through the very last moment of this stunning production.
Winter Wonderland
It might be a marshmallow world in the winter, and baby, it might be cold outside, but if you’re looking for a true winter wonderland, then you’ll need to come see SYAA’s fourth annual holiday cabaret. Featuring timeless classic such as “Let It Snow” and “Sleigh Ride,” this musical journey will have you tapping your feet to modern holiday tunes such as “Once Upon a December” and “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” You might even get to celebrate the joys of summer with a certain snowman from Arendelle. Oh, and did we mention there’s a 90% chance of winter precipitation? Bundle up and come celebrate the holidays with us, and let’s dream of a White Christmas together.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
The Biblical saga of Joseph and his coat of many colors comes to vibrant life in this delightful musical parable. Joseph, his father's favorite son, is a boy blessed with prophetic dreams. When he is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and taken to Egypt, Joseph endures a series of adventures in which his spirit and humanity are continually challenged. Set to an engaging cornucopia of musical styles, from country-western and calypso to bubble-gum pop and rock 'n' roll, this Old Testament tale emerges both timely and timeless. This is SYAA as it was meant to be, in technicolor!
Charlotte’s Web
The Children's Literature Association named this "the best American children's book of the past two hundred years," and as you might expect, in this dramatic telling, all of the enchanting characters are here: Wilbur, the irresistible young pig who desperately wants to avoid the butcher; Fern, a girl who understands what animals say to each other; Templeton, the gluttonous rat who can occasionally be talked into a good deed; the Zuckerman family; the Arables; and, most of all, the extraordinary spider, Charlotte, who proves to be "a true friend and a good writer." Exploring the true meaning of the word “friend,” this evening of enchantment will leave you with a little lump in your throat and a smile on your face.
Grease
Come join Rydell High's senior class of 1959, the duck-tailed, hot-rodding "Burger Palace Boys" and their gum-snapping, hip-shaking "Pink Ladies" in bobby sox and pedal pushers, evoking the look and sound of the 1950s in this rollicking musical. Head "greaser" Danny Zuko and new (good) girl Sandy Dumbrowski try to relive the high romance of their "Summer Nights" as the rest of the gang sings and dances its way through such songs as "Greased Lightnin’,” "It's Raining on Prom Night,” and "Alone at the Drive-In Movie" recalling the music of Buddy Holly, Little Richard and Elvis Presley that became the soundtrack of a generation.
2015-2016
You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown
Charles Schulz’s beloved comic comes to life in Clark Gesner’s classic musical, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. The whole gang is here: bossy Lucy is hopelessly in love with piano prodigy Schroeder who doesn’t give her the time of day, perfectionist Sally is still mocking blanket-toting Linus, Snoopy is in the doghouse, and “blockhead,” himself, Charlie Brown, is in rare form. Brief vignettes span the months from Valentine’s Day to Beethoven Day, from wild optimism to utter despair. Perfect for the family and audience members of all ages!
Little Women
In this dramatic adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, playwright Thomas Hischak presents an older version of the beloved character Josephine March. Now a successful author, Jo speaks to her audience at the Springfield Ladies Literary Society and recounts tales of her youth. As she does, the lives and adventures of the four March girls come to life on the stage, and the audience experiences the triumphs, the tribulations, the hopes, the dreams, and the losses as if for the first time. As the story continues, Jo and her sister prove that they are not just silly girls, but little women.
The Wizard of Oz
Follow the yellow brick road over the rainbow and into Strauss Youth Academy for the Arts! This production of The Wizard of Oz is an enchanting adaptation of the all time classic, totally reconceived for the stage to delight audiences of all ages. Developed from the ever popular MGM screenplay, this production contains all the much-loved songs from the Oscar winning movie score, all the favorite characters and iconic moments, plus a few modern surprises along the way. Click your heels together and join Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy, and her little dog Toto, as they journey through the magical land of Oz to meet the Wizard and obtain their heart’s desires. Watch out for the Wicked Witch of the West and her winged monkeys as you rediscover the real story of Oz in this fantastic musical treat for all the family.
Holiday Hoedown
Come join the students at Strauss Youth Academy for the Arts as they celebrate their third annual holiday cabaret. Following in the traditions of Christmas on Broadway and Hollywood Holiday, Holiday Hoedown will celebrate the yuletide with some side-splittin' humor, toe-tappin’ music, and some downright heel-kickin’ dance. Featuring showtunes such as “Next to Lovin’ I Like Fightin’ Best” and “I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas” as well as popular ditties like “Run, Rudolph, Run” and “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” this party in a barn is sure to be your new holiday favorite! Yee-haw!
Mary Poppins
Everyone’s favorite practically perfect nanny takes the stage in this Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious musical adventure. An enchanting mixture of irresistible story, unforgettable songs, breathtaking dance numbers, and astonishing stagecraft, Mary Poppins is one of the most popular Disney movies of all time and is capturing hearts in a whole new way: as a practically perfect musical! Based on the books by P. L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film.
Jungle Book
Come along on an extraordinary adventure in this dramatic adaption of Rudyard Kipling’s classic novel featuring everybody’s favorite jungle hero, Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves in the jungle. With the help of his friends — the bear Baloo, the panther Bagheera, and the python Kaa — Mowgli is learning to survive as they teach him about ’Jungle Law.’ But the jungle is also the home of Shere Khan, the dangerous man-eating tiger who has vowed to destroy Mowgli. Come get lost in the jungle as Mowgli and his friends learn the true meaning of the word ‘family.'
2014-2015
Annie
Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie has become a world-wide phenomenon and was the winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical. The beloved book and score by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin features some of the greatest musical theatre hits ever written including "Tomorrow."
Julius Ceasar
Shakespeare's historical tale of power, friendship, and betrayal is brought to life on stage. Set against a dystopian Russian backdrop, the story of the most famous emporer of Rome and his downfall is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Hollywood Holiday
Celebrate the holiday season with the cast of SYAA-TV's holiday celebration, which celebrates the music of holiday movies as Jace and Lucy try to rediscover their holiday spirit. With music from movies such as A Nightmare Before Christmas, The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Lemon Drop Kid, and of course, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, this cabaret-style show is sure to be a hit with all ages from 5 to 105.
Shrek the Musical
Explore the world of fairy tales in a way that you’ve never quite heard them before. Based on the 1998 Dreamworks feature film, Shrek, the musical, took Broadway by storm in 2008, and now it blasts onto the stage at Strauss Youth Academy for the Arts. With over 60 performers (ages 8-18) from North Louisiana, you will be blown away with this over-the-top, fully staged production. Don’t miss your opportunity to hang with Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Lord Farquaad, and Gingy. Reserve your seat today!
Jack, Rapunzel, Red, and YOU!
It’s your turn to get into the action! Jack, Rapunzel, Red, and You… follows the misadventures of our heroes and heroines as the storytellers get their fairy tales completely mixed up, turned around, and upside down. It’s up to you and the rest of the audience to help out our poor, lost characters. An original play written by resident artist and Executive Director Walter Allen, this audience participation fairy tale experience is sure to make for an afternoon or an evening of fun, frivolity, and laughs for kids from age 5 to 105.