2023 LIVE SEASON!

GRADES 1st – 3rd

OWEN & MZEE, THE MUSICAL

Originally Commissioned & Presented by: VITAL THEATRE COMPANY

When: MONDAY, APRIL 24th – FRIDAY, APRIL 28th, 2023

MONDAY, MAY 1st – TUESDAY, May 2nd, 2023

SHOWTIMES: 10 A.M. & 12:30 P.M.*

*No P.M. shows on April 24th or April 26th

Olympia Junior Programs is proud to present the Vital Theatre Company’s production of this amazing TRUE story of the orphaned baby hippo and 130-year-old giant tortoise whose remarkable friendship touched millions around the world.

The inspiring true story of two great friends, a baby hippo named Owen and a 130-yr-old giant tortoise named Mzee. When Owen was stranded after a tsunami, villagers in Kenya worked tirelessly to rescue him. Then, to everyone’s amazement, the orphan hippo and the elderly tortoise adopted each other. Now they are inseparable, swimming, eating, and playing together. Adorable photos e-mailed from friend to friend quickly made them worldwide celebrities. Here is a joyous reminder that in times of trouble, friendship is stronger than the differences that too often pull us apart.

Vital Theatre Company is dedicated to producing entertaining and educational theatre for young audiences. Located in New York City, Vital Theatre Company commissions three to five new musicals for children each season. Since its founding in 1999, Vital Theatre Company has been honored with the Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best Family Musical, two Awards for Excellence by the Off-Off Broadway Review, and has received high acclaim from audiences and critics alike for being “a wonderful place for parents to introduce their kids to the glories of live theatre, done well and at modest prices” (Off-Off Broadway Review). Now entering its 20th anniversary season, the company has presented over 75 original productions for over 300,000 children and their families.

book and music by MICHELLE ELLIOTT
music and lyrics by DANNY LARSEN
directed and choreographed by STANLEY W. MATHIS
based on the book by ISABELLA HATKOFF, CRAIG HATKOFF
and DR. PAULA KAHUMBU
with photography by PETER GRESTE
Commissioned and originally produced by Vital Theatre Company.

Find the book for your classroom HERE.

Grades 3rd – 6th

IN THE YEAR OF THE BOAR & JACKIE ROBINSON

Presented by: Honolulu Theatre for Youth

When: March 6th – 10th, 2023

SHOWTIMES: 10 A.M.* & 12:30 P.M.

*No A.M. show on Monday, March 6th.

Olympia Junior Programs is proud to present Honolulu Theatre for Youth’s 68th season production of “In The Year of the Boar & Jackie Robinson” which is adapted from the award-winning novel by Bette Bao Lord.

The novel was inspired by the author‘s own memories of immigrating to the United States from China. The protagonist in our play, Shirley Temple Wong, and her family move from China to the United States in 1947, the year Jackie Robinson was breaking records and racial barriers in baseball. Told through humor and a rich multi-media staging, the play celebrates the bravery and sacrifice of those who bring new perspectives to our country.

The production is directed by HTY’s Artistic Director, Eric Johnson, and features Resident Ensemble members, Qiaoer Zheng and Emily Wright. Set and Projection Design is by Chesley Cannon; Costume Design is by Iris Kim; and Sound Design is by Barett Hoover and Mattea Mazzella.

“Mrs. Lord’s beautiful novel reminds us that the rich diversity of our nation is a precious treasure earned through historic moments like Mr. Robinson’s on the baseball field, but just as importantly by the courage of every immigrant child who struggles to find their place and their joy in a new country.” -Eric Johnson, HTY Artistic Director

Honolulu Theatre for Youth (HTY) is a theatre of place, deeply rooted in the cultures and people of the Pacific and dedicated to serving young people, families and educators across the Hawaiian Islands. Founded in 1955, HTY is one of the oldest professional TYA companies in the country and is recognized for its long history of innovative drama education programming and the creation of original theatrical works that celebrate the diverse cultures of Hawaiʻi. For more information on Honolulu Theatre for Youth, go to their website: http://www.htyweb.org.

Get the award-winning book “In The Year of the Boar & Jackie Robinson” for your classroom HERE.