KIDS + FAMILIES

The Grand 1894 Opera House presents Peter and the Wolf. The Grand 1894 Opera House’s Serious Fun performing arts season begins Thursday, October 15, at 10 am with Childsplay's production of Peter and the Wolf. Children of all ages will enjoy this exciting new take on an old favorite; it provides a delightful introduction to theatre and classical orchestration for the youngest of audiences as Prokofiev's tale gets an exciting new riff.

Directed with theatrical vision and style, Peter and the Wolf springs from Sergei Prokofiev's popular classic orchestral interpretation. It lifts some of Prokofiev's clever compositions, including his sharp instrumental definitions of each character, and adds Allison Gregory's clever adaptation and some new musical songs by Hummie Mann.

The show never veers far from the original tale, though. It reminds young children of the struggle between man and animal, the importance of friends and using courage when challenges arise. Man and various animals cohabitate around Peter's grandfather's house, which is adjacent to a large meadow, a pond and a dense forest.

The story tells of Peter's friends, Cat, Duck and Bird, and how an friendly but intense hunter wants to stifle a pesky Wolf who bothers the group. Peter thinks of placing the Wolf in a local zoo so he will be away from the animals he haunts with his sly sophistication. The tale is told with puppets and with actors who portray the fanciful animals with shimmering appeal.

The Harris L. Kempner Children’s Series at The Grand is supported in part by donations to The Grand’s Permanent Fund in Mr. Kempner’s memory. Additional support is provided by the following: The Anchorage Foundation, Dr. Leon Bromberg Charitable Trust, Harry S. and Isabel C. Cameron Foundation, Comcast Cable, Hotel/Motel Tax Dollars, Robert K. and Marie B. Hutchings Foundation, The Jamail Galveston Foundation, Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund, Robert W. and Pearl Wallis Knox Foundation, Marathon Petroleum Company, The McGovern Foundation, Mid-America Arts Alliance, Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church Permanent Endowment Fund, the National Endowment for the Arts, Saltwater Grill, the Strake Foundation, Texas Commission on the Arts and The Wortham Foundation.

Tickets are $9 for children - under 12; school groups $6 with advance reservations; $11 for adults. To purchase tickets and for more information about these productions as well as the 2008-2009 Performing Arts Season, contact The Grand’s box office at 409.765.1894, 800.821.1894, or visit The Grand’s website at www.thegrand.com.  The Grand 1894 Opera House is located at 2020 Postoffice, in historic downtown Galveston. The theatre is accessible by trolley. All major credit cards accepted.