Student Matinees
Early exposure to live theater lays the foundation for a lifetime of educational and civic benefits.
Student tickets available for $11 for these performances:
Panto Pinocchio
Book and Lyrics by Eric Coble
Music by Steven Jones
December 6, 2024–January 5, 2025
Student Matinees:
Join Pinocchio, a sentient AI boy created by tech-savvy inventor Gill Bates, as he navigates a town obsessed with viral TikTok dances. When Pinocchio embarks on a quest to discover his true essence—with the help of everybody’s favorite faithful guide, Buttons—he encounters a world of digital mischief and adventure. Will he unlock the secrets to his identity? Or will the conniving villain Miss Treats disrupt the festivities and thwart Pinocchio’s journey?
A feast for the senses, this panto is packed with high-tech hijinks, side-splitting jokes, and enough singing and dancing to reboot even the most jaded of operating systems. This holiday season, bring the family and immerse yourselves in the electrifying spectacle of panto!
Recommended for students of all ages
the ripple, the wave that carried me home
by Chrstina Anderson
February 28–March 23, 2024
Student Matinee:
In the heartland of 1960s Kansas, a young Black girl, Janice, witnesses her parents fight for a simple yet profound cause: their right to swim in a public pool. But as the ripples of injustice seep into her life at home, Janice seeks meaning away from her parents’ political activism, and an unspoken distance grows within the family. Decades later, an unexpected call to honor her father’s legacy inspires Janice to rediscover the past she left behind.
From ascendant, Tony-nominated playwright Christina Anderson, the ripple, the wave that carried me home is a poignant exploration of injustice, forgiveness, and family—a deeply poetic, award-winning play that makes for a profoundly sensory experience.
Recommended for students aged 13 and older
Miss Rhythm – The Legend of Ruth Brown
Created by David Nehls and Sheryl McCallum
August 9–October 13, 2024
Student Matinee:
- Friday, September 6, at 10 a.m.
Before Etta James, Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner, there was Ruth Brown, a trailblazing icon who ran the world of R&B. Her magnetic voice and spirited charm catapulted Atlantic Records to global fame in the 1950s—so much that fans once referred to the now-historic record label as “the house that Ruth built.” A Rock and Roll Hall of Famer who won both Tony and Grammy awards, she paved the way for generations of singers. Now, experience her legendary story through Miss Rhythm, an intimate cabaret featuring powerhouse vocals and a swinging five-piece jazz band.
Starring acclaimed actress Sheryl McCallum (The Lion King on Broadway), this electrifying tribute celebrates Ruth Brown’s captivating story and indelible impact on popular music. Get ready for an evening of powerful singing, no-nonsense humor, and the enduring legacy of a pioneer—Miss Rhythm herself, the one and only Ruth Brown.
Recommended for students of all ages
Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B
by Kate Hamill
October 25–November 17, 2024
Student Matinee:
- Friday, November 15, at 10 a.m.
Get ready for a hilarious romp with a fresh take on the legendary detectives! This fast-paced comedy from acclaimed playwright Kate Hamill puts a modern spin on the iconic crime-fighting duo, set in present-day Baker Street.
Holmes, a manic, razor-sharp genius, must entice Watson, a recuperating American divorcée, to tumble from one caper to the next. But when they encounter a supervillain who always seems to be one step ahead, the laughter intensifies and they dive into a rollicking murder mystery. Don’t miss out on this uproarious adventure filled with non-stop laughs and hijinks aplenty. This new twist on the beloved characters will leave you in stitches.
Recommended for students aged 13 and older
Email Patron Experience Lead Edmundo Cardona at groups@stageshouston.com, or call 346.320.0037 to get started!