A tea party unlike any other, Northwest Children’s Theater’s Mad Hatter’s Tea Party is an interactive, laugh-filled adventure complete with fancy hats, magic, songs, sweets and more.
This past weekend, my family and I dove down the rabbit hole and were serenaded by silliness as we joined the audience, along with John Ellingson and Henry Martin, as the Mad Hatter and the White Rabbit at Northwest Children’s Theater’s Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. There were fancy outfits, fascinating hats, songs, magic, sweets, and bubbles and more.
And just in case this isn’t clear: this special tea party is interactive. Dressing up is encouraged!
We began our adventure by checking in at the front with our White Rabbit concierge — guests are seated according to red heart-themed cards. We got Table 7 of Hearts, which we shared with two other families. Each guest is provided with a teacup (choices of peppermint tea, coffee for adults, and lemony lemonade) and a tea cake (a frosting-filled donut hole which the Hatter assured us was full of sugar). Midway through the performance, children are provided with an Alice-themed lunch box featuring classic favorites such as sunbutter and jelly sandwiches and teddy grahams.
The lunching and munching punctuate an action-packed and lively party, so be prepared to stand up and move. The youngest guests will have fun adding input throughout the event — there’s no need to be quiet during this performance. Our show was accompanied by astute youthful observations, “You forgot to curtsy!” and helpful tips, “Did you not see the flowers on the ground!?! Stop putting flowers on the ground!” Our young tablemate especially loved the bubbles, excitedly declaring, “Bubblesssssss!!!” while trying to clap the soapy circles emerging from a top hat.
Hatters, it turns out, sometimes get details wrong. The audience kids were adamant in one scene, “Dogs have fur!!” they shouted, “And also dogs have two ears!” Why everyone was shouting about dogs, however, will have to wait for your own magical performance. Enjoy hits like the Ace and Jack, dancing, and balloons so big that my kid asked if they were real (the answer is yes, real balloons).
The show ends with a goodbye song that allows a transition time for littles who have difficulty with endings. Upon the finale, my kid remarked simply, “Oh, that was beautiful!”
Standing ovation.
If You Go
Mad Hatter’s Tea Party
Where: The Judy Kafoury Center for Youth Arts
1000 SW Broadway, Suite T-100 (with attached parking garage!)
When: Saturdays-Sundays, now through May 24; shows are at 10 am, 12:30 pm and 3 pm.
Length: About one hour
Who: Most enjoyed by ages 4 and up
Tickets: $25 for youth and $20 for adults. Admission includes tea party treats for kids and coffee and tea for adults.
Know before you go: Parking at The Judy is easiest in the attached parking garage. The Schnitzer Stage at the Judy is general admission seating only, so show up early if you’d like your pick of seats. Boosters are available, so every seat is a great one even for the youngest audience members. Outside food and drinks aren’t permitted, but reasonably priced snacks are available at the concessions stand. Clean, gender inclusive restrooms and changing stations make it easy for families to attend. The entire staff is friendly and helpful should you need assistance.