Northwest Children’s Theater’s beautiful new site The Judy Kafoury Center for the Arts, or “The Judy,” is now open downtown! Our family was delighted to attend their first show on the main stage, Elephant & Piggie’s We are in a Play! This sold-out performance was so popular, they’re bringing it back in an encore performance, January 13-28, 2024. Read on to get the most out of this fantastic experience.
You’re going to love this space.
I love the colorful building, with the concessions stand, family-friendly bench seats, and free booster cushions for the little ones. Elephant & Piggie is performed on the main stage, which seats 240 audience members.
We also explored the studios for NWCT classes, which are bright and airy, with high ceilings and plenty of space. The Black Box Theatre is intimate and fun. The Family Cinema was a huge hit with our family; we loved the bean bags in front. It would be a cool birthday party venue, and I can’t wait to check out the summer camps in this new building.
Arrive early for the best seats.
Since Elephant & Piggie’s We are in a Play! is general admission in the theater, I suggest you go early for seats near the front. The Judy has an attached garage, which makes it even easier to arrive on time. That said, we were near the back, and my 10- and 6-year-old children could see just fine.
Mo Willems fans will be delighted.
My kids grew up on the popular Mo Willems series, and I have most of them practically memorized because of the number of times they were requested as bedtime stories. I know I am not alone, because I heard murmurings from kids, “I know this one!” as they watch these well-loved books reenacted in the play. My 6-year-old loved Piggie and laughed at her silly and confident nature. My 10-year-old loved the theatrics of Gerald the Elephant. We all loved the Squirrels, who carried the energy and fluidity of the entire play. They were magnificent in their musicality and dramatic flair.
Our favorite part was near the end when Piggie and Gerald realize that they are in a play, inspired by We are in a Book. They begin interacting with the audience and engaging us to join them in different actions, which is really fun for both kids and adults alike. The NWCT cast and crew have done an incredible job bringing to life a beloved children’s series and capturing its whimsy and hilarity.
And if you’re new to Mo Willems, this is the perfect introduction.
Get tickets here before they sell out. The show runs January 13-28, 2024.
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