by Nancy Goldstein
The COCA Family Theatre Series is a cultural jewel in St. Louis for families with children 3-12. Presented by PNC Arts Alive, the series is presented in an intimate, 400-seat theatre – where every seat is close to the stage. The COCA Family Theatre Series includes a wide range of theatre, music, and dance offerings of adventurous works from around the world.
Different shows are scheduled throughout the next several months. November 18-20, be sure to see Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters at COCA. The one-hour show is performed by the Dallas Children’s Theater, which has been recognized as one of the country’s top five theaters for children. The show is based on a book by John Steptoe. This Caldecott Award winning Cinderella tale bursts with energy! When a great African king desires a wife, only the most perfect maidens in the land are invited to meet him. Mufaro’s pride and joy, his two daughters of very different dispositions, travel a half day’s journey through a mystical jungle and across a deep river to be presented to the king. Along the way the two girls encounter a number of mysterious situations that test their courage, kindness and strength of spirit. Combining authentic African drumming, powerful and majestic choreography and thrilling original music, the splendor of Zimbabwe and energy of the African land will burst onto the stage in this show.
A question and answer session with the cast follows most of the performances.
Individual or group tickets are available to Mufaro as well as to other great shows this season including: The Little Dancer, Treasured Stories by Eric Carle, among others.
To purchase tickets or learn more about the COCA Family Theatre Series, visit www.cocastl.org, call 314-725-6555, or stop by COCA at 524 Trinity Avenue in University City 63130.