Want your kids to have a roaring good time? Check out First Stage’s “The Dinosaur Play”!
Think theater's not for wiggling, energetic kids?
Milwaukee's First Stage would like a word.
Their latest show, "The Dinosaur Play," running through February 16, doesn't just welcome kids' natural enthusiasm – it turns it into part of the show!
Before the show even starts, First Stage kicks things into high gear with a free pre-show party (okay, they call it an "Interactive Experience," but trust us – it's a party). Kids get to meet the actors, dig into some prehistoric activities, and burn off that pre-show excitement.
Smart move, First Stage. Smart move.
Once the actual show begins, forget everything you know about "quiet please" theater rules.
Photo provided by Paul Ruffolo.
This isn't your typical "shhh, sit still" performance – it's more like a prehistoric playground where kids become part of the story. They help a mysterious dinosaur egg hatch, make friends with a grumpy Triceratops (we all know one of those), and team up to outsmart a T-Rex. No pressure, right?
What's really cool is how the actors roll with whatever the kids throw at them – and trust me, kids throw a lot!
They've mastered this amazing balance of keeping the story moving while making every kid feel like their shouted suggestion might just save the day. There's something called a "Tank Salute" involved, and based on the kids' reactions, it's pretty much the coolest thing ever.
One mom I talked to, my wife, nailed it when she said, "It's a stress-free environment without the typical expectations of a live action audience."
Translation: nobody gives you the side-eye when your kid gets excited and shouts out answers. In fact, that's exactly what they're supposed to do!
The show hits that sweet spot of being just long enough to tell a great story but not so long that kids start asking about snacks every two minutes.
And get this – after the show, the actors stick around for a "talk back" session where they answer kids' questions with the patience of saints and the humor of, well, people who clearly love working with kids.
First Stage has been crushing the children's theater game in Milwaukee for years, and it shows.
They even offer sensory-friendly performances because they get that every kid deserves a chance to experience the magic of live theater.
As my wife put it, "First Stage is a must experience for any family." And honestly? She’s not wrong.
What makes it extra special is that it's not just about entertaining kids – it's about creating those moments families can talk about later.
You know, actual conversations beyond "How was school?" "Fine." Because when you're both trying to stay perfectly still to avoid a T-Rex, you're making memories that are way cooler than watching another YouTube video.
Running through February 16, "The Dinosaur Play" is basically a master class in how to make theater fun for everyone – kids, parents, even that grumpy Triceratops we mentioned earlier.
Whether you're a First Stage regular or thinking about checking it out for the first time, this show is a perfect excuse to get the family together for some prehistoric fun.
And hey, where else in Milwaukee can your kids help save a baby dinosaur from a T-Rex?
Exactly.