My Father’s Dragon : A Wildly Imaginative Storybook Classic Onstage

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Elmer, wearing a blue beret and his knapsack, sits with the yellow and blue striped dragon puppet in Enchantment Theatre Company's "My Father's Dragon."

A child’s boundless sense of adventure, combined with the pure delight of using your imagination, together form the beating heart of Ruth Stiles Gannett’s childhood classic (and Newbery Honor winner) My Father’s Dragon. In the book’s 75th anniversary year, the Philadelphia-based Enchantment Theatre Company presents a charming and creative stage adaptation at the Center for the Arts on Sunday, November 24 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.*, as part of the Family Series

A baby dragon is being held captive on Wild Island, and nine-year-old Elmer Elevator cannot abide by that. So he sets off on a rescue mission armed with only the essentials: chewing gum, lollipops, rubber bands, hair ribbons, and heaps of determination! To get to the dragon, Elmer must outwit some tricky talking animals, which Enchantment Theatre Company cleverly brings to life using whimsical puppets.

 

Three puppeteers operate a large gorilla puppet, interacting with another puppeteer operating smaller monkey puppets in Enchantment Theatre Company's My Father's Dragon.

Masks, creative scenic effects, original music, and an energetic cast bring home the uplifting story of unlikely friendship. 

Enchantment Theatre Company’s mission is to inspire children to dream, explore, think, and connect through imaginative storytelling onstage. We hope your family will leave this performance with a growing spark of appreciation for the performing arts, and for stories of all kinds!

  


Recommended for ages 4 to 10. Join us one hour prior to the performances in the main lobby of the Center for the Arts for family friendly craft activities. View the My Father's Dragon study guide.

This production will also be performed at our sister venue, the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, Virginia, on Saturday, November 23 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.*  
 

*The November 24 at 4 p.m. performance at the Center for the Arts and the November 23 performance at 2 p.m. at the Hylton Performing Arts Center will be sensory friendly, designed to create a welcoming and comfortable arts experience for people with autism, sensory sensitivities, or other social, learning, or cognitive disabilities.