Erin Leigh Peck

On the Upper West side of New York City's Manhattan, there's a very special public elementary school named after one of the greatest composers in American theatre, Richard Rodgers.  One of the many reasons this school is so unique, is that it's one of the only public elementary schools where kids from Kindergarten through grade five get music, art and dance EVERY SINGLE WEEK.  With an emphasis on expanded arts programming throughout the year, PS166, The Richard Rodgers School of Arts and Technology, is prioritizing arts education.

When the first-born son to the Queen & the Chief of all buffalo arrives covered nose-tip to tail with the markings of a calico kitten, the entire buffalo nation is catapulted into the adventure of a lifetime. The Calico Buffalo is the story of this nation's journey to find out what to do about so unusual a child. A journey on which they will discover the value of tolerance and acceptance, and the unparalleled power of forgiveness..

Will Tweedle Dee or Tweedle Dum defend Alice against the unruly judge, The Queen of Hearts? What does the King of Hearts have to say about all the goings on? Will Alice ever fit in and find her garden? Will she be found innocent or guilty? Will she keep her head? Who wins the game of croquet - Alice or The Queen? The witnesses (Cheshire Cat, Caterpillar, Mad Hatter, March Hare and the Dormouse) testify and share the adventures they have with the different sized Alices and the jurors will decide her fate.

On Sunday, April 19th, guest artists from over 32 Broadway shows are assembling in what has become an annual tradition at The Richard Rodgers School, PS 166.  The Manhattan Upper Westside school baring the name of America's greatest lyric composer, Richard Rodgers, annually hosts this one night benefit concert, 'Broadway Sings', in support of arts education.

Set in the 1840s, 'The Trail To Oregon!' follows the All-American, dysfunctional family as they set off from Independence, Missouri to head out west in search of a new life in the greatest place on earth... Oregon! What the clueless pioneers don't count on is that they'll have to face every obstacle imaginable along the way, from snake-bites, to bandits, to dysentery! It's the original cross-country road trip... from hell! Loosely inspired by the popular, retro computer game, 'The Oregon Trail,' this raucous, raunchy, musical spoof features 6 performers, 13 songs, multiple possible endings, and a heaping helping of audience participation. With the live audience not only naming all the people in the wagon party, but also choosing which family members they'd like to see die, no two performances of 'The Trail To Oregon!' will ever be the same.

The New York Children's Theatre Festival has announced the shows selected for its fourth season. The four productions are The Sock Who Lost His Mate; Sue Ology & the Case of the Possibly Haunted House; Help Save the Monkey!; and The Meanest Birthday Girl.

There's something refreshing about bringing your family to see Broadway shows that inherently and organically appeal to modern day kids. Not that I'm not a huge supporter of bringing your kids to see ALADDIN or LION KING! It's natural to reserve our precious ticket-buying dollars for musicals that are designed for families, and any junior Broadway fan would be lucky to enjoy those kinds of shows. But rarely do parents have an opportunity to bring their kids to a classic American comedy that brings to the stage a bit of theatrical history and a story that can entertain kids and parents alike without pandering to the family market.

The critically acclaimed family theater Making Books Sing has a new name New York City elected officials Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Staten Island Deputy Borough President Ed Burke, WPIX's Emmy-award winning 'Morning News' host Sukanya Krishnan and other esteemed friends and supporters attended a press reception where New York City Children's Theater (formerly Making Books Sing) announced their new name and 2014-15 season on Tuesday, October 21st at the Vineyard Theater.

One of my son's favorite children's book series is "Fly Guy" by Tedd Arnold. So when we heard that Theatreworks, one of New York's preeminent family theatre companies, was presenting a musical version of "Fly Guy Meets Fly Girl", we knew we had to check it out! Our favorite, buzzing hero's tale was part of a new musical revue based on favorite children's books. The show kicked off a new weekend performance series at the Danny Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, and if "Fly Guy" was any indication, the rest of the series is sure to be a hit.

Families who love children's music superstar and preschool television favorite Laurie Berkner will soon have the chance to take their children to classes based on her music and guided by her educational philosophy. Laurie Berkner's The Music in Me will launch at four Manhattan locations, beginning in September. Laurie Berkner's The Music in Me is a 'Me and My Grownup' style program designed by Laurie Berkner. All classes will be taught by teachers personally trained by Laurie.

Attention Dance Moms and Broadway Kids Fans! Cabaret for a Cause will present a one-night-only concert Aug. 11 at Brooklyn's Galapagos Arts Space to benefit kef productions and their education program, Story Shifters.

The critically acclaimed Making Books Sing will premiere two new musicals for family audiences in the 2014-2015 season. The Amazing Adventures of Harvey and the Princess and The Beautiful Game come on the heels of last season's hit shows Ballerina Swan and Dear Albert Einstein (Off-Broadway Alliance Award nomination).

This month, the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) is teaming up wiht the Theatre Development Fund's Autism Theatre Initiative (ATI) to launch its first ever autism friendly series for kids. The shows will be performed in a supportive environment for an audience of families and friends with children or adults who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or other sensitivity issues. Slight adjustments to the production may be made, including reduction of any jarring sounds or light cues. The theatre lobby will have a quiet/activity area, staffed with autism specialists, for those who need to leave their seats during the performance. Social narratives and pictures of the theares and productions designed to personalize the experience for each attendee with ASD will be available for download in advance of the performances.

It's time for this year's exciting Third Annual New York Children's Festival, running April 25 to May 18. The New York Children's Theater Festival is a spring highlight for NYC families, created to greatly widen the spectrum of existing theater offerings for children and bring new respect and heightened awareness to the art form and the artists involved. NYCTF provides a birthplace in New York City for new live children's entertainment from around the globe, and serves as a platform for writers and producers who are passionate about developing innovative theatrical experiences for children. Here's the low-down on this year's offerings:

Samantha is a lonely kid who prowls the rain-washed streets of her film-noir fantasies as SAMANTHA SPADE, ACE DETECTIVE, the go-to gumshoe who always solves the case (for $25 a day plus Twizzlers). TADA! Youth Theater will be presenting the world premier of this original family musical performed by kids for kids, from April 26-May 18.

This Summer, The Public Theater will be offering a summer program for young actors between the ages of 14 and 18. A Midsummer's Day Camp at The Public Theater. Designed by arts in education specialists from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the two week summer conservatory for NYC's young Classical Actors will run August 4th through 17th.

Set in 1954, DEAR ALBERT EINSTEIN tells the story of Susan, a 12-year-old star math student who, when starting junior high, struggles between the desire to be herself and the pressure to be like all of the other girls in her class. Her admiration for Einstein, who periodically pops up in her imagination, complicates and eventually helps her along her journey. The musical combines early rock-n-roll, swing, and classical music.

Wally Watthead and His Lost Glow is magician Janne Raudaskoski's experiential magic theatre performance for the entire family. The play takes place on the night desk of a girl called Polly - the home to a mobile phone, a night lamp and a picture of Polly. Everything is fine until one day Wally Watthead, the night lamp, loses his glow. Simon Simcard, a smartphone, helps Wally regain his glow, and the magic of the play is based on their adventures together. Among a variety of other tricks, Wally Watthead is seen levitating in the air and shrinking himself to miniature size. The chemistry between the two buddies is, however, put to test when Polly Picture - whom Wally is rather fond of - comes to life.

Right now at the NYU Skirball Center, a new Cirque-style acrobatics show is waiting to make your holiday week special. The choreographer of the 2006 Olympic Games closing ceremonies has joined forces with Cirque du Soleil's Zumanity choreographer to create a new circus spectacle 'that lives between dream and reality, underscored by a continuous stream of original music, and brought to vivid life by 3-D projections'. CIRKOPOLIS, the new show by Montreal-based Circus Arts company Cirque Eloize, is a mind-blowing spectacle for kids of all ages. I was lucky enough to bring my ten and five year olds, and both had a memorable theatrical experience not easily replicated!

A lively musical adaptation of the classic Dickens tale. Follow along with Ebenezer Scrooge as he is visited by four ghosts; his old business partner Marley, the ghost of Christmas past, present and future. See what happens when he gets a glimpse of his own future if he doesn't change his life. Will Scrooge catch the holiday spirit and save himself in the process? Find out by joining us for this special holiday show with a story so warm it will melt the cold heart of even the grumpiest Scrooge!