The Mizel Arts and Culture Center’s Denver Children’s Theatre will have upcoming performances of “Tomás and the Library Lady,” based on the beloved book by Pat Mora, and adapted by José Cruz González. The production tells the inspiring true story of Tomás Rivera, the son of migrant farm workers, who discovers the transformative power of books through the guidance of a kind librarian.
The play is a bilingual story with a fully Hispanic/Latin(x) cast, including the play’s Director, Matthew Zambrano. Public performances will take place on February 11, 18, and 25, at 10 a.m. The performance on February 18 is an SCFD Free Day event and Accessibility Day. Performances for school groups will run from February 8 through March 1.
“One of our goals with the Denver Children’s Theatre is to provide a live theatre experience specifically for kids that is unlike any other in the city,” said Stephanie Herm, chief operating officer of the JCC Denver and Mizel Arts and Culture Center. “For many of our school-aged patrons, this is their first time in a professional theatre, and their first time seeing a show performed live. It’s important to us that children and students can see themselves in the theatrical performances and can experience the emotional impact of a story being presented live. Because Tomás and the Library Lady is a bilingual play, there is a great opportunity for a much wider range of students to connect with the actors and to the story.”
The SCFD Free Day and Accessibility Day performance on February 18 at 10 a.m. offers an opportunity for the community to enjoy the performance for free. For the Accessibility Day, attendees can expect ASL interpretation, audio description, and sensory-friendly accommodations, ensuring a more inclusive experience. Tickets are free but seats must be secured in advance.
The Denver Children’s Theatre will be hosting school group performances from February 8 through March 1 at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., providing an educational and enriching experience for young audiences. The play is suitable for kids in grades 1-8.
Both English and Spanish speakers will find the play accessible and captivating, making it a family-friendly, bilingual experience.
Since 1997, the award-winning Denver Children’s Theatre has produced quality theatre for young audiences, presenting fully mounted main stage productions featuring beautiful sets and costumes, i
n addition to adult professional actors from the Denver area. The cast includes Brandon Guzman, Jamie Molina, Stephanie Saltis, and Tanis Joaquin Gonzales.
Tickets for the public performances on February 11 and 25 cost $11.50 per person and can be purchased at www.jcc denver.org/denver-childrens-theatre.
School groups should email the box office at boxoffice@jccdenver.or
g for ticket price information, and to reserve seats for their schools or classes.
The Mizel Arts and Culture Center’s Elaine Wolf Theatre is located at the Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center (JCC Denver) in the south facing lot, at 350 S. Dahlia Street in Denver. To learn more and to purchase tickets, please visit www.jccdenver.org/dct.
