“Jack and the Beanstalk” Closes Tibbits School Programming Series; Offers Performances for the Deaf

COLDWATER – The littlest theatre-goers will experience the magic of live theatre when Wild Swan Theater closes Tibbits’ school programming series with “Jack and the Beanstalk” at Tibbits Opera House on May 8 and May 9.

This humorous version of Jack’s adventure climbing the magical beanstalk tells the tale of a very silly (and unscary) giant, who is just no match for Jack’s wits as he scrambles up and down the beanstalk, rescuing his father from the giant’s clutches and earning back his pet cow, Milky White. The show, which is suitable for preschool through second grade, is just under one hour.

Students from Max Larsen Elementary, Union City Begindergarten, Anderson Elementary, St. Mary’s, Pansophia Academy, Jefferson Elementary, BISD Head Start, BISD Special Education, Alternative Choice, Calhoun County Christian, Jennings Elementary, East Leroy Elementary, Waldron Learning Center, Hendry Park Elementary from Angola, Ind., and homeschool groups are currently registered to attend.

Tibbits initially booked only two performances of “Jack and the Beanstalk,” but the popularity has prompted them to add two more performances.  It will be presented at 9:30AM, 11:30AM, and 1:00PM on Wednesday May 8 and again at 10:00AM on Thursday May 9. The 11:30AM performance and the 1:00PM performance will be interpreted for the deaf.

“Usually when deaf students attend our productions, we have interpreters signing near them. This will be a much better experience for those students since the interpreters will be woven directly into the production,” said Tibbits Director of Operations Stephanie Burdick.

ASAMA Coldwater Manufacturing has teamed with Tibbits to help the theatre present the school programming series. In addition to “Jack and the Beanstalk,” other school programming presentations this year included “ArtReach”, “JazzReach”, “Reg Pettibone’s Authentic Native American Program”, Young Michigan Dances’ “Campfire Stories from the New World,” and Michigan Shakespeare Festival’s “Romeo and Juliet”. Funding for the interpreted performances was generously provided by Branch Intermediate School District. The program is also funded in part by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Michigan Humanities Council.

The 11:30AM show on May 8 and the 10:00AM show on May 9 are both sold out, with very few seats remaining for the 9:30AM performance and the 1:00PM performance on May 8. The public is welcome to attend. The cost is $2 per person. Those who are hearing impaired who would like reservations for the 1:00 PM performance should let the box office know in advance so appropriate seating can be reserved. Reservations are encouraged, especially for large groups, as tickets may not be available at the door.

For more information about this production or to make a reservation, please call Tibbits at 517.278.6029. All performances will be held at the historic Tibbits Opera House at 14 S. Hanchett St. in Coldwater, MI. For a complete listing of all shows and events held at Tibbits please visit Tibbits.org