By Alicia Taylor-Domville
For the month of September in Queens, there will be theatrical events that cater to all ages. Celebrating honorable films and gearing up kids to go back to school, these affairs will get many people out of their houses on Saturday evenings.
The Friends of the Library program will host Sept. 29 its semi-annual “Fun Day.” This day will include a flea market, crafts for kids and reading in the garden.
The Friends of the Library program was created to support the library, sponsor programs to benefit the community and work with library staff.
“We are trying to make the library the culture center of he community,” said Tom Dowd, president of the Friends of Ridgewood Library.
All proceeds collected from Fun Day will be used to purchase new material for the Queens Library at Ridgewood, at 20-12 Madison St.
To start the school year, The Little Secret Theatre in Long Island City will present its annual season of live children’s musicals. Beginning Sept. 8, the feature presentations will include “Pirate Pete’s Parrot” by Richard Mazada and “Dotty Dot,” based on the books by Ashley Laverty and Travis Kendrick.
The series will run until Dec. 22, alternating between both shows every Saturday.
“Pirate Pete’s Parrot” follows a Pirate in search of his unique bird that prefers pancakes as opposed to bird seeds. As Pirate Pete begins his journey, he decides to pick up buried treasure, and along the way Pete encounters many obstacles filled with singing sword fights and audience participation.
“Dotty Dot” is the story of a bossy little girl on an average day. On this particular day, Dotty is reprimanded by her mother for being too bossy and Dotty must learn the true meaning of friendship.
The shows have live actors that engages an audience of all ages. The theater sits 60 people and the musicals on average brings in 40 to 50 people weekly.
“The shows are so comical that the parents can’t help but laugh at the jokes themselves,” said Alyssa Van Gorder, a representative for The Secret Theatre.
On certain Saturdays, special guests will attend that have children and interact with the set and cast. The shows begin after the theatre’s Children’s Academy classes, which teach children of all ages dramatic arts and acting that ends with a semester production.
The shows begin at 2 p.m. at The Little Secret Theatre, at 44-02 23rd St. For tickets or more information, visit secrettheatre.com.
