Pied Piper Players presents the Bay Area premiere of DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon: The Musical Jr., running October 23 through November 1 at the Bayside Performing Arts Center in San Mateo.
Based on the Academy Award-nominated animated hit, How to Train Your Dragon: The Musical Jr. brings fire-breathing action, epic adventure and big laughs to the stage. The musical follows Hiccup, a young Viking who defies tradition and befriends one of his deadliest foes—a ferocious dragon he calls Toothless. Together, the unlikely heroes fight against the odds to save both their worlds in this theatrical adaptation.
The production features 63 local performers, the majority kids and teens, from communities across the Peninsula, including Burlingame, Daly City, Foster City, Hillsborough, Menlo Park, Millbrae and San Mateo. Filled with music, humor and adventure, the story explores friendship, courage, being yourself and learning to understand those who may initially seem different from us.
“I love the energy of this show — it’s sweet, honest and funny,” said Leslie Stupple, Artistic and Education Director and co-founder of Pied Piper Players. “At its heart, it’s a fantastic story of two characters from warring clans who discover that what they have been taught about each other is a myth. Their personal connection breaks down barriers and creates the possibility for lasting peace. As soon as I saw it available as a musical, I jumped to book it, and I can’t wait for the Bay Area audiences to experience it live for the first time!”
The production also comes during Pied Piper Players’ 25th anniversary year. Founded in 2001, PPP has grown into a year-round theater community offering MainStage productions, classes and camps, teen programs, free after-school drama opportunities, scholarships and programs that help make live theater accessible to local schools and families.
Performances:
Friday, October 23 — 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 24 — 7 p.m.
Sunday, October 25 — 2 p.m.
Friday, October 30 — 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 31 — 2 p.m.
Sunday, November 1 — 2 p.m.
Tickets are $26 for adults and $23 for seniors and children under 18, plus a processing fee. All ages are welcome; running time is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, plus a 15-minute intermission.