PORT TOWNSEND — Actor/puppeteers with Key City Public Theatre will bring “My Father’s Dragon,” a free performance for children 5 and older, to five outdoor venues on Labor Day weekend.
The performances will be Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Audiences are urged to bring chairs or blankets.
The hourlong performances are:
• On Saturday at the Port Townsend Farmers Market at Tyler and Lawrence streets at 10 a.m. and at H.J. Carroll Park at 9884 state Highway 19 in Chimacum at 3 p.m.
• On Sunday at the Chimacum Farmers Market, 9122 Rhody Drive, at 10 a.m. and Pope Marine Park, 1000 Madison St., at 3 p.m.
• On Monday at Quilcene’s Linger Longer Stage at 151 E. Columbia St. at 10 a.m.
Two performances were last weekend in Chetzemoka Park.
The play for prekindergarten to third-grade students invites children to simultaneously engage with theater arts as audience member and performer.
The cast plays a multitude of roles and consists of Maggie Jo Bulkley, Brendan Chambers, Duncan Frost, Emily Huntingford and Tomoki Sage.
Duncan Frost adapted the story from Ruth Stiles Gannett’s children’s classic and directed it.
The story is taught in Jefferson County schools, the theater said, and was chosen because it is familiar to local students and brings the maritime culture of Port Townsend to life.
The story begins when Elmer Elevator runs away with an old alley cat to rescue a flying baby dragon being exploited on a faraway island.
With the help of two dozen pink lollipops, rubber bands, chewing gum and a fine-toothed comb, Elmer disarms the fiercest of beasts on Wild Island.
Presenting partners include the city of Port Townsend, Jefferson County Parks &Recreation, Jefferson County Farmers Markets and Worthington Park’s Linger Longer Stage in Quilcene.
The project is funded by ArtsWA, the National Endowment for the Arts, Port Townsend Arts Commission, Port Townsend Rotary Club, Tom and Marie Cawrse, and sponsored by Rockfish Group, Port Townsend Kiwanis Club, Whistlestop Toys and Aldrich’s Market. KCPT season sponsors are Alchemy Bistro &Wine Bar and SOS Printing.
