Mary Poppins

Performed by the Portsmouth Area Children’s Theatre
Directed by Ali Thompson
Vern Riffe Center for the Arts - Eloise Covert Smith Theater

One of the most popular Disney movies of all time is capturing hearts in a whole new way: as a practically perfect musical! Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins delighted Broadway audiences for over 2,500 performances and received nominations for nine Olivier and seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

The jack-of-all trades, Bert, introduces us to England in 1910 and the troubled Banks family. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family members how to value each other again. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren't the only ones upon whom she has a profound effect. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that "Anything Can Happen If You Let It."

Show Dates

Thursday, November 17, 2022
10:00 AM*

Friday, November 18, 2022
10:00 AM* & 7:00 PM

Saturday, November 19, 2022
7:00 PM

Sunday, November 20, 2022
2:30 PM

*School Matinee Performance

The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Performed by the Portsmouth Area Children’s Theatre Senior Company
Directed by Ali Thompson
Vern Riffe Center for the Arts - Eloise Covert Smith Theater

Based on the final and unfinished Charles Dickens novel of the same name, The Mystery of Edwin Drood is a hilarious, interactive whodunit mystery musical that allows the audience to enter the action and become the ultimate detectives.

In the small town of Cloisterham, England, the young and charming Edwin Drood has been mysteriously murdered. But by whom? Dickens passed away before he was able to reveal the culprit, but Rupert Holmes’ award-winning musical solves this predicament by asking the audience to choose which character is the killer.

Staged in a metatheatrical manner by the Music Hall Royale, a traveling Victorian theatre troupe full of just as many colorful characters as the roles they play, this charming and inventive musical is sure to intrigue and entertain any musical or mystery lover.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood is rated PG-13.

Show Dates

Friday, March 17, 2023
10:00 AM* & 7:00 PM

Saturday, March 18, 2023
7:00 PM

Sunday, March 19, 2023
2:30 PM

*School Matinee Performance

Oliver! Jr.

Performed by the Portsmouth Area Children’s Theatre Junior Company
Directed by Ali Thompson
Vern Riffe Center for the Arts - Eloise Covert Smith Theater

Consider yourself at home with Oliver! Jr., the Broadway Junior version of Lionel Bart's classic musical based on Charles Dickens' novel, Oliver Twist.

The streets of Victorian England come to life as Oliver, a malnourished orphan in a workhouse, becomes the neglected apprentice of an undertaker. Oliver escapes to London and finds acceptance amongst a group of petty thieves and pickpockets led by the elderly Fagin. When Oliver is captured for a theft that he did not commit, the benevolent victim, Mr. Brownlow takes him in. Fearing the safety of his hideout, Fagin employs the sinister Bill Sikes and the sympathetic Nancy to kidnap him back, threatening Oliver’s chances of discovering the true love of a family.

Show Dates

Thursday, May 4, 2023
10:00 AM*

Friday, May 5, 2023
10:00 AM* & 7:00 PM

Saturday, May 6, 2023
2:30 PM & 7:00 PM

*School Matinee Performance