The Rose Opens With ‘Very Hungry Caterpillar’

The Rose Theater opens its 2014-2015 season with a show featuring the work of a very recognizable children’s book author and illustrator. “The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Favorites” opens Friday and runs through Sept. 21. The other two stories in this adaptation are “Little Cloud” and “The Mixed-Up Chameleon.”

Don’t leave this page without seeing the tip about opening night and how to score 50% of tickets!

If you went to any show at The Rose last year, you might recall the activities pre-show or at intermission. According to Kori Radloff, Marketing and Public Relations Manager at The Rose, they’re keeping up those audience engagement activities, which were designed to enhance children’s experience and understanding of the show. I liked them because they added an extra layer to my day out with the kids, and it gave us even more to talk about.

They’re one-upping themselves this year, though. Expect similar activities surrounding the show, but now, if you go on opening night, they have really neat plans! I’m bummed I won’t be able to go on Friday night because from the details I heard, it’s going to be special for your child. I’ll make sure we’re free on opening night for the next show in The Rose season, ‘The Cat in the Hat”!

Back to this hungry caterpillar show, now.

This show is unusual for The Rose in that it’s puppetry done by another theater company. They’ve never done something like this, but Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia is the only theater company with the rights to stage this black-light puppet show, so there you go. I think we’re in for a treat.

Just looking at the colorful promo pictures makes me excited to see how this will all go down.

The 60-minute production will feature three Eric Carle stories adapted to the stage, including the “Mixed-Up Chameleon,” seen here. Photo courtesy The Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia.

This sounds like a great intro to puppetry and live theater, set in a welcoming environment for the youngest of theater-goers. The show’s director, one of Canada’s most esteemed puppetry creators Jim Morrow said this is a “no-shushing” show. Since my youngest tends to talk in just two volumes, loud and loudest, I love this policy.

If you go

“The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Favorites,” 60 minutes without intermission

Where: The Rose, 2001 Farnam St.

When: Friday through Sept. 21, with performances on Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 5 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Interpretation for the hearing impaired at the 2 p.m. show on Saturday, Sept. 13.

Best for: Children ages 3 and up, and is 60 minutes long without an intermission.

Tickets: $18; call (402) 345-4849 or purchase online at www.rosetheater.org. Discount ticket vouchers are available at all area Hy-Vee stores for $14 each (you need to make a reservation if you get vouchers).

Tip

The Omaha Children’s Museum is having their First Friday Family Date Night this Friday and it’s theme is all things Eric Carle! You could visit the museum at 5 p.m. and play for a while and still make it over to the opening night production, which starts at 7 p.m. They really are just two blocks away. The museum is giving Rose ticket holders $1 off their museum admission, and families can get their Rose tickets for 50% off if they show their OCM sticker at the box office (opening night only).