Playful People Productions Announces 2022-23 Season

Playful People Productions of San Jose has announced its 2022-23 season: eight months of fantasy, fairy tales, classic literature, comedy, drama, music and a supportive environment for children and adults.

Registration for the programs, as soon as they become available, will be done online at https://cloud.broadwayworld.com/rec/ticketclick.cfm?fromlink=2203795®id=18&articlelink=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.playfulpeople.org?utm_source=BWW2022&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=article&utm_content=bottombuybutton1/registration. For more information, families can visit www.PlayfulPeople.org or ceverything (408) 878-5362.

The Hundred Acre Wood comes to life when Playful People Productions presents an original adaptation of Winnie the Poohdirectedited by Shannon Santandrea. Five casts of children, aged 4 to 11, will perform this new one-hour adaptation of A. A. Milnethe classic 1926 children’s book, Winnie the Poohwritten by Katie D’Arcey. Christopher Robin and his friends Pooh Bear, Piglet, Eeyore, Rabbit, Owl, Kanga, Roo and various other forest dwellers adventure through tales such as “Pooh Gets Stuck”, “Eeyore Has a Birthday”, “An’ Exhibition ‘at the North Pole’, and more. Winnie the Pooh plays October 28-30, 2022.

Shrek, the musical, directed by Emily Pennington, with choreography by Mary Theresa Capriles and Emily Pennington, is one of the greatest shows ever produced by Playful People Productions. Audiences can see their favorite characters – Shrek, Princess Fiona, Donkey, Lord Farquaad, Gingy the Gingerbread Man, Dragon, Pinocchio and many more – come to life on stage. Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, this is a Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure featuring all new songs from Jeanine Tesori (Millie resolutely modern; Caroline or Change) and a breathtaking book by David Lindsay Abaire. Two casts of teen and adult actors perform November 4-13, 2022.

Described by Edward Albee as “the greatest American play ever written”, Our Town by Thornton Wilder presents the small town of Grover’s Corners in three acts: “Everyday Life”, “Love and Marriage” and “Death and Eternity”. Narrated by a stage manager and performed with minimal props and scenery, the play depicts the simple daily lives of the Webb and Gibbs families as their children fall in love, marry and eventually die – in one of the most famous in American theatre. . Our town will be led by Stacy Levin. Suitable for ages 15 and up, video auditions will be accepted until November 16, 2022 and in-person callbacks will take place from November 29 to December 1. The performances will take place from February 24 to 26, 2023.

For five to 11 years oldPlayful People offers a Winter Camp: Alice in Wonderland. Attendees will be immersed in Alice in Wonderland games and crafts – such as creating their own Queen of Hearts crowns and scepters, playing Tweedledee and Tweedledum “twin” games, or hosting a Tea Party Mad Hatter – and will perform a short Alice in Wonderland play on Friday afternoons for their families. Alice in Wonderland camp February 20-24, 2023; registration opens in October 2022.

In the spring, 4 to 11 year olds can embrace their inner animals with The Children of Disney’s Jungle Book. Specially adapted from the classic Disney animated film, this musical features a jazzy score, a host of colorful characters and classic songs from the movie. Banished by the fierce tiger Shere Khan, a human boy named Mowgli and his panther friend, Bagheera, are on the run deep in the jungle. On their journey, the two encounter a sinister snake named Kaa, a herd of elephants, and a giant bear named Baloo, who teaches them the swingin musical rhythms of the jungle. After surviving a dangerous encounter with a gang of monkeys led by King Louie, Mowgli and Bagheera are forced to run for their lives. When Shere Khan returns, our heroes must rally their animal companions into battle and restore peace to the jungle. Directed by Shannon Santandrea, auditions will be held February 27-28and performance will be May 5-7, 2023.

Also in May is Starmites by Barry Keating and Stuart Ross, nominated for six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, in a Tween, Teen and Adult Production (11-111). Eleanor, a shy and quirky teenager, collects and is obsessed with comic books, especially the series called Starmites! Unbeknownst to her, she holds the key to defeating inner space’s nemesis – Shaak Graa. When suddenly transported to her favorite comics, she must join the Starmites in their battle for inner space and freedom, while escaping the savage and dangerous Banshees and their terrifying and fabulous queen, Diva. Directed by Lysander Abadia, the auditions will be March 1-2and performances held May 12-21, 2023.

Finally, Playful People Productions presents She Kills Monsters, a high-octane comedy-drama, with performers ages 13-26. This 2011 piece by Who Nguyen follows Agnes Evans as she comes to terms with the death of her teenage sister, Tilly. As Agnes moves between reality and the fantasy role-playing game her sister loved, she’ll navigate murderous fairies, evil ogres, ’90s pop culture – and discover Tilly’s unspoken exploration of her sexuality. A poignant tribute to the geek and warrior within us, She Kills Monsters will be directed by Sara Tavernise. Video auditions will be accepted from early to mid-April and the show will run from June 30 to July 2, 2023.

All shows, rehearsals, camps, workshops and projects will be structured to adhere to the most current Covid guidelines and Santa Clara County recommendations, to keep the safety of attendees and staff paramount.

Playful People Productions was founded in 2010 as a positive, inclusive and family-oriented theater company. offer similar classes for adults and stage multi-generational shows where family members can perform together.

Playful People Productions aims to create an inclusive environment where all feel welcome and where creative impulses are encouraged by experienced Bay Area artists. The organization follows positive discipline guidelines as well as proven parenting techniques; works continuously to ensure the safety of all participants, volunteers and staff; and regularly gives families the opportunity to share the exhilarating experience of performing together. During the nonprofit’s tenure, they have often seen children perform on stage with siblings, parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents – and have also welcomed adults who wish perform but find that local theater auditions and rehearsals do not meet their needs.