Reviewed by Lia Tremblay
Even if you’ve never been to a children’s theatre production at Swift Creek Mill Theatre, your children may already be big fans. It’s a popular stop for school field trips, and on weekdays the parking lot is often crowded with big yellow buses.
But put down the permission slips—you’ll want to make their current production, Drifty’s North Star Jamboree, a family affair. It features Drifty the Snowman and a whole cast of characters (including a cowboy and an elf), who mingle with children for photo ops after the show. With songs and laughter the whole family can enjoy (older kids seemed to especially appreciate the One Direction references) the whole experience is one that you’ll want to repeat year after year.
In fact, as my 5-year-old son and I settled into our seats, we struck up a conversation with the trio to our left: a woman who was there with her fifth-grade daughter and her mother, who said they’ve been coming to see Drifty shows since the fifth-grader was a toddler.
It was clear that many in the audience were longtime fans. Drifty’s arrival on the stage was greeted with wildly enthusiastic applause, and many children offered post-show hugs and hellos that suggested Drifty and the crew were old friends.
The show runs about forty-five minutes, which is great for young attention spans. When my son got squirmy anyway, I whisked him out of our seats so as not to disturb the other theatergoers. That’s when we discovered a nice feature of the Mill’s recent renovation: a flat-screen TV on the first floor where you can watch the production happening live. So if you’ve come downstairs to quiet a child or visit the restroom, you can still follow the plot on your way to and from your seat.
The show runs through December 21 and is recommended for pre-K and up. The ticket price includes a pizza lunch and photo ops with the characters – plus Santa himself! This could become your family’s favorite holiday tradition for years to come.
Drifty’s North Star Jamboree runs through December 21 at Swift Creek Mill. For tickets and showtimes, go here: Drifty’s North Star Jamboree or call 804-748-5203.
