The big day is almost here, but there’s still time to get in the Halloween spirit and share it with your children. Here are three events for or by youths that celebrate the season.
At Orlando Family Stage, the musical “Click, Clack, Boo! A Tricky Treat” is onstage. It’s a sequel, of course, to the classic “Click, Clack, Moo” — in which cows learn to type and promptly send a letter to their farmer with a list of grievances.
This time around, it’s Halloween, a holiday that scares Farmer Brown. But Duck, Pig, Cow and Hen are determined to throw a Halloween party with apple bobbing, candy and a costume contest. The animals find a clever way to teach the farmer that sometimes a little spookiness can be a lot of fun.
‘Click, Clack, Boo!” is based on the book by Doreen Cronin and Betsey Lewin and adapted for the stage by James E. Grote, with music and lyrics by George Howe.
Children are invited to come in costume and join a Halloween parade that’s part of the show.
Performances are at 2 and 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 29 at Orlando Family Stage, 1001 E. Princeton St. in Orlando. Tickets start at $15; go to orlandofamilystage.com.
Meanwhile, there’s a mystery afoot over at Central Florida Community Arts — and it involves things like a candlestick, the billiard room and an assortment of colorful suspects. Sound familiar? The Orlando nonprofit presents “Clue for a Cause: An Escape Room Evening,” inspired by the whodunit (and where-dunit and how-dunit) board game.
Proceeds from the event benefit the CFCArts youth theater scholarship program.
Here’s how it works: Make a reservation for a group of up to eight players between 4 and 9 p.m. Oct. 28, and you will find yourselves in the middle of a live-action game of Clue. Players are the detectives as CFCArts actors guide the action as you try to solve the mystery and escape from Boddy Mansion.
Participants are encouraged to come in costume and arrive 15 minutes before your reservation time to enjoy snacks and photo opportunities.
Tickets are $10 per adult and $5 for children 4-12 (children younger than 3 are free). If you have eight players, you can qualify for a discount at the website cfcarts.com. “Clue for a Cause” takes place at the CFCArts Black Box Theatre, 250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd. in Orlando.
Finally, the Orlando Public Library and the Orange County Regional History Center are teaming up to host a whole array of holiday treats for varying ages planned throughout the day on Oct. 28. A trick-or-treat safe zone, including a scavenger hunt, will be offered 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the neighboring facilities. And there are all kinds of family activities planned.
At the history center, youths can make monster puppets or beaded pumpkins, try their luck at traditional fair games, experiment with magical “boo bubbles” and get their groove on with a dance party. The truly brave can dip their hands into a “mystery box” and try to determine what they are touching.
The library also provides various games and craft activities, along with the chance to examine ghost-busting equipment and inspect haunted artifacts. Live entertainment includes a not-so-scary musical performance by Central Florida Vocal Arts at noon, and original and wacky songs by kids’ favorite Mr. Richard at 1 p.m.
Monstrous music, theater, art in Orlando: Celebrate Halloween with culture
The events are free; the library asks for participants to register ahead at ocls.info/trick-or-treat-safe-zone, where there is also more information about the day’s fun. For more information on the history center, go to thehistorycenter.org/event/trick-or-treat-safe-zone-2.
Both buildings are located in downtown Orlando; the library is at 101 E. Central Blvd., and the history center is at 65 E. Central Blvd.
Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find more arts news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/arts, and go to orlandosentinel.com/theater for theater news and reviews.
