Costa Rica For Children – Kids Theater

Children’s theater is abundant and affordable in the capital city.

Costa Rica has an enthusiastic group of talented performers, producers, and directors that offer fresh and fun entertainment.

Performances for children generally play Sundays and Saturdays. Plays, puppet shows, dance, or musicals can be seen at many theaters throughout San José.

The North American & Costa Rican Cultural Center in Los Yoses has a delightful theater that seats about 250 people. Children are often invited to step on-stage and participate.

In August of 2003, the Association of Artistic Productions Educarte holds the fourth festival of children´s theater in collaboration with the historic Melico Salazar Theater. A new performance will play at 3 p.m. every Sunday through the first weekend in September.

‘Arnulfo and the Marvelous Creatures’ is a story of a troll who lives with his friends in the woods. The Creatures decide to ‘sell-out’ to a slick salesman who will make them rich like Mickey Mouse or Winnie the Pooh.

When machines begin to take down the trees of the forest for all the buildings that will be erected to sell the merchandise that all the crowds will come to buy, the Marvelous Creatures have to decide on riches or their forest home.

A combination of large puppeteers, music, slick acting, and sound effects kept each child (and parent) laughing and sitting on the edge of their seats until the end.

Other performances include: ‘¡Ecolecuá!’ on August 10th at the Melico Salazar, ‘Treasure Island’ August 17th, ‘Tutifrutti´s Stories’ August 24th, ‘The Mouse, the Cat and the Splashing Water’ August 31, and ‘The Night the Moon Fell’ on September 7th – all playing at the Teatro 1887 in FANAL (known as the old liquor factory in downtown San José).

‘A Gift for Petra’ also plays at the Teatro 1887 through every Sunday through August 17th. The show is almost completely a one-woman dialogue given by actor, and co-writer, Maria Catania. Petra ponders the feelings and thoughts of a special lost friendship.

Bleachers are erected on stage for a small, intimate performance. Petra, accompanied by her small dog Peluche, plays instruments, sings, and includes the children in storytelling.

Listening to theater is an engaging way to learn Spanish for children. In addition, it also helps adults who are beginners, intermediate or advanced students studying the language. Most plays are in Spanish; however, some performances do play in English.

The Little Theater Group is the oldest English speaking performance theater in Central America. The Little Theater offers a wide range of performances ranging from the controversial, yet sold-out, ‘Vagina Monologues‘ to the musical ‘You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown‘.

Ballets perform various times during the year. The ‘Nutcracker‘ usually performs each season. Musicals also make runs. ‘The Fiddler on the Roof‘ played repeat performances at the Melico Salazar due to popular demand. Prices for seats can be higher for ballets and musicals, but tickets do often start at $2.50 for general seating.

Getting a child in front of live theater is like buying a piece of gold. Luckily in Costa Rica, it is much cheaper than precious metals or jewels.

Most performances for children usually cost from $2.50 to $5.00. Occasionally, due to an erroneous listing or other unseen events, the theater doors will be closed on a day a performance was listed in the newspaper.

It is wise to call the theater in advance to assure the performance will be playing as listed. Cross checking times and locations in several newspapers such as “La Nación’s” Thursday ‘Viva’ Section or the English speaking “Tico Times” can save a trip if a show has been cancelled or listed incorrectly. The Melico Salazar is listed as 257-6005 and the Teatro 1887 is 256-4838.

Susan Carmichael is a freelance writer living in Costa Rica. She has developed several education curriculums for children and adults. She has also taught journalism. Susan produced and hosted radio programs and documentaries in Costa Rica including a short story program called “In the Moment” and an hour long interview program focused on the issues of women called “A Woman’s Voice”.

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Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.