Westport Kicks Off Family Series

Westport Country Playhouse will begin its 2011 Family Festivities Series with "The Commedia Princess and the Pea," a slapstick spin on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale, on Sunday, Jan.16 at 1 and 4 pm. Recommended for ages five and up, the story asks the question: How can you tell if someone is really, truly a princess? Tick

Pre-show activities, for which reservations are required, begin one hour before the performances at noon and 3 pm. Birthday party facilities may be scheduled in advance. Everyone in the audience requires a ticket. Groups of 10 or more save. For group sales information call 203-227-5137, x120.

Upcoming Family Festivities programs are “The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favourites,” Sunday, Feb. 13 at 1 and 4 pm., three stories by award-winning children's book illustrator and writer, Eric Carle, told with puppets and original music, produced by Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia; “A Jigsaw Jones Mystery – The Case of the Class Clown,” Sunday, March 6 at 1 and 4 pm, a mystery with music, based on the book by renowned author James Preller, produced by ArtsPower; and “Click, Clack, Moo,” Sunday, March 27 at 1 and 4 pm, a hilarious musical based on the Caldecott Honor Book by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin, produced by TheatreWorks USA.

For more information or tickets, call the box office at 203-227-4177, or toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, visit in person at Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport or online at www.westportplayhouse.org.