The Papa Penguin Play
by Dave Deveau
A Carousel Theatre for Young People, Vancouver International Children’s Festival and Zee Zee Theatre Co-Production
(Please check back soon for more updates !)
Show Information
Penguins Peaches and Izzy are the Zoo’s main attraction: two male penguins who put on daily shows to visitors’ delight. But when other penguin couples lay eggs and go on to have a chick, these two pine for parenting life.With the help from the Zoo Keeper, dreams do come true. The Papa Penguin Play welcomes audiences of all ages to a penguin chick first birthday party, a celebration like you’ve never seen. Co-commissioned by Carousel Theatre for Young People, Vancouver International Children’s Festival and Zee Zee Theatre. Recommended for All Ages
To purchase tickets for The Papa Penguin Play showing from May 30th to June 2nd, please visit https://www.childrensfestival.ca/performer/the-papa-penguin-play/
Show warnings: haze, loud sounds
In Partnership with
Gallery
Show Schedule
Fri, May 17 | 7:00PM - Opening Night
Sat, May 18 | 1:00PM - Mask Mandatory Performance
Sat, May 18 | 4:00PM
Sun, May 19 | 11:00AM
Sun, May 19 | 2:00PM
Sat, May 25 | 1:00PM
Sat, May 25 | 4:00PM - Vocal Eye Performance
Wed, May 15 | 10:00AM
Wed, May 15 | 1:00PM
Thurs, May 16 | 10:00AM
Thurs, May 16 | 1:00PM
Wed, May 22 | 10:00AM
Wed, May 22 | 1:00PM
Thurs, May 23 | 10:00AM
Thurs, May 23 | 1:00PM
Fri, May 24 | 10:00AM
Fri, May 24 | 1:00PM
Cast & Creative
Directed by Cameron Mackenzie
Featuring Jeffrey Follis, Kosta Lemermeyer, Rae Takei & Katie Voravong
Assistant Directed by Jack Bumbala
Stage Managed by Taylor Mackinnon
Set Design by Kimira Reddy
Sound Design & Composition by Mary Jane Coomber
Lighting Design by Victoria Bell
Props Design by Monica Emme
Puppet Design & Direction by Stephanie Elgersma
Movement Coaching by Nicole Rose Bond
Technical Direction by Ash Shotton
Supplemental Reading List
This Book List is generously created by our friends at Massy Books.
Please note that CTYP does not thoroughly investigate the books listed.
Age Range: Ages 3-5
Summary and Themes: It’s been three years since Abuela’s last visit, and Dulce revels in every tiny detail—from Abuela’s maletas full of candies in crinkly wrappers and gifts from primos to the sweet, earthy smell of Peru that floats out of Abuela’s room and down the hall. But Abuela’s visit can’t last forever, and all too soon she’s packing her suitcases again. Then Dulce has an idea: maybe there are things she can gather for her cousins and send with Abuela to remind them of the U.S. relatives they’ve never met. And despite having to say goodbye, Abuela has one more surprise for Dulce—something to help her remember that home isn’t just a place, but the deep-rooted love they share no matter the distance.
Age Range: Ages 4-8 (Pre-K-Grade 3)
Summary & Themes: And Tango Makes Three is the bestselling, heartwarming true story of two penguins who create a nontraditional family. At the penguin house at the Central Park Zoo, two penguins named Roy and Silo were a little bit different from the others. But their desire for a family was the same. And with the help of a kindly zookeeper, Roy and Silo get the chance to welcome a baby penguin of their very own.
Age Range: Ages 4-8 (Pre-Kindergarten-Grade 3)
Summary & Themes: Follow a set of kids and their families through the big and small moments with colorful illustrations and beautiful, rhyming text. A modern and inclusive picture book that celebrates the many milestones of a child’s life ranging from a school play to graduation with an emphasis on kindness and community.
Age Range: Ages 4-8 (Pre-Kindergarten-Grade 3)
Summary & Themes: A dedicated mom puts love into action as she creates the perfect rainbow-colored wig for her transgender daughter, based on the real-life experience of mother-daughter advocate duo Trinity and DeShanna Neal. A celebration of showing up as our full selves with the people who have seen us fully all along.
Age Range: Ages 8-12 (Grade 3-Grade 7)
Summary & Themes: First-generation Filipino siblings JJ and Althea struggle to belong at school. JJ wants to fit in with the crowd, while Althea wants to be accepted as she is. To make matters worse, they have to help their parents run the family food truck by dressing up as a dancing pig and passing out samples. And their mom is always pointing out lessons from Filipino folklore -- annoying tales they’ve heard again and again. But when witches, ogres, and other creatures from those same stories threaten their family, JJ and Althea realize that the folklore may be more real that they’d suspected. Can they embrace who they really are and save their family?
Age Range: Ages 7 and up (Grade 2 and up)
Summary & Themes: The graphic novel story of Greta, a blacksmith apprentice, and the people she meets as she becomes entwined in the enchanting world of tea dragons. After discovering a lost tea dragon in the marketplace, Greta learns about the dying art form of tea dragon care-taking from the kind tea shop owners, Hesekiel and Erik. As she befriends them and their shy ward, Minette, Greta sees how the craft enriches their lives—and eventually her own.
Age Range: 3 and under
Summary & Themes: Families with two moms and two dads are celebrated in these board books that follow busy mothers, fathers, and their kids throughout their day—eating breakfast, getting dressed, heading out to the park, and settling back in at night with a bubble bath and a good-night lullaby. LGBTQ+ parents and their friends and families will welcome this inclusive and cheerful book that reflects their own lives and family makeup.
Age Range: Ages 3-7 (Pre-Kindergarten-Grade 2)
Summary & Themes: Quackers is a duck. Sure, he may have paws and whiskers. And his quacks might sound more like...well, meows, but he lives among ducks, everyone he knows is a duck, and he’s happy. Then Quackers meets another duck who looks like him (& talks like him, too!)—but he calls himself a cat. Quackers loves being among his new friends the cats, but he also misses his duck friends, and so he finds a way to combine the best of both worlds. Part cat, part duck, all Quackers!
Age Range: Ages 3-8 (Pre-Kindergarten-Grade 3)
Summary & Themes: Every day, a little boy watches kids pass by on skateboards, and dreams of joining them. One day, his mother brings a surprise: her old skateboard, just for him! haw êkwa! Let’s go! Together, they practice on the sidewalk, at the park, in Auntie’s yard—everywhere. But when it comes time to try the skatepark, the skateboarders crash down like a waterfall. Can he find the confidence to join them?
Let’s Go! features:A glossary of Cree words featured in the book, and a Cree refrain (haw êkwa!) repeated throughout
Age Range: Ages 2-5
Summary & Themes: Based on the research that race, gender, consent, and body positivity should be discussed with toddlers on up, this read-aloud board book series offers adults the opportunity to begin important conversations with young children in an informed, safe, and supported way.
Age Range: Ages 6-8 (Grade 1-Grade 3)
Summary & Themes: Have you ever wanted to understand where your family comes from and how you got this way? When Pigeon Pea has a million questions about their family, Auntie gives them the magic key to go back in time and across continents to meet, celebrate, and feast with their ancestors and orisha.