Popcorn Theatre Announced
Tibbits aims to stimulate children’s imaginations and stir-up nostalgia in parents and grandparents with adaptations of popular stories, mimes and marionettes as it presents its 2016 Popcorn Theatre season.
The summer begins with two Hans Christian Andersen classics. The tale of “The Emperor’s New Clothes!” adapted by Kathryn Schultz Miller runs June 24, 25 and July 1, 2. It tells of a tricky tailor who hoodwinks a silly, vain Emperor into believing he can weave cloth which only the intelligent can see. The show is sponsored by Dr. Matthew C. Christopher, DDS.
In “The Princess and the Pea” a feisty princess, a bookish prince, a clever troll and a bed piled high with mattresses fill the stage and the theatre with fun and laughter. This re-telling of the familiar fairy tale by Paul Lazrakas has charmed audiences all over the US. The show runs July 8, 9, 15, 16 and is sponsored by Coldwater Exchange Club.
Among the best-selling book series of the 1980s are the zany tales by Nancy MacArthur. Her story “The Plant that Ate Dirty Sock” presents the dilemma of a class science project gone wrong. The show runs July 22, 23, 29, 30 and it sponsored by Great Lakes Chiropractic.
Since 1988, Tibbits Popcorn Theatre has been entertaining generations of families with live professional performances featuring the company members from the main stage shows. Audiences of all ages become enthralled with the live action which often spills from the stage in front of them into the theatre aisles.
Tibbits also hosts professional touring artists and welcomes Opus Mime on August 5 and 6. This mime theatre stretches the imagination with a performance both heart-touching and hilarious. All ages will be amazed at the stories that can be told and the feelings conveyed without using the spoken word. The show is sponsored by Honor Credit Union.
Stevens Puppets, sponsored by Greg Bruder and Tracy Kelley at Edward Jones will finish the season with the timeless Chinese folktale from The Arabian Nights, “Aladdin” on August 12 and 13. The story comes alive with Martin Stevens’ hand-crafted marionettes. A “rags to riches” story infused with music, mystery and magic as Aladdin travels from the streets, to the royal palace, and beyond!
Popcorn Theatre is made possible through the generosity of Dr. Jon & Seibra Herbener. Tibbits also received support from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Michigan Humanities Council Touring Arts Program.
Tickets are $8 and include popcorn and juice at intermission with opportunities to meet the performers after the shows. Popcorn is sponsored by Dr. Ed Lake and Dr. David Hartfiel of the Community Health Center Obstetrics and Gynecology. Juice is donated by McDonalds’s of Branch and Hillsdale counties, White Pigeon, Centreville, Tekonsha and Marshall.