The Paper Bag Players: WE START TO SING!

America’s beloved children’s theater company, THE PAPER BAG PLAYERS, has been creating imaginative worlds from paper and cardboard since 1958. Our 66th season introduces a joyful new show, WE START TO SING! The show bursts with zany stories, audience participation, sing- along songs, foot-stomping dances, larger-than-life characters and bringing art to life on a giant easel. It’s a funny, friendly, and thrilling hour of theater – perfect for children ages 3 through 9, perfect for everyone!

“Rise and Shine” follows the sun as it wakes up and prepares for work, punching in as the moon punches out. “We Start to Sing” continues the theme of waking up, adding the full cast in a vigorous song and dance to get things really moving. In “A Day on the Lake,” two friends on a fishing trip get more than they bargained for, while “Ants in My Pants” invites the entire audience in a song and dance to help in a tricky picnic situation. The hour is rounded out with flying pizzas, a game called “Spin-A-Dance,” a girl who rides a whale all the way home, and much more. It’s all wrapped up in our signature paper and cardboard costumes, sets and props to inspire the imagination. Come join the creativity and wake up with a smile as We Start To Sing!

WE START TO SING! was created by Co-Artistic Directors Kevin Richard Woodall and John Stone and The Paper Bag Players Creative Team. Directed by Kevin Richard Woodall. Musical direction and composition by John Stone. Scenic Designers: Florencia Escudero and Jonathan Peck. Production Supervisor: James Huggans. Featuring: Abby Huff, Erika Mesa, John Stillwaggon*, and Kevin Richard Woodall*, with John Stone at the keyboard. * (appears through the courtesy of Actors Equity Association)

An introduction to the world of The Paper Bag Players

The New York Times feature article on The Paper Bag Players

Visit our website!

Praise for The Paper Bag Players:

“The Paper Bag Players have demonstrated a magical insight into what delights children (and tickles adults as well) with, amazingly, the simplest of materials.” —The New York Times

“The Paper Bag Players is part of why I'm an actor today.” —Alysia Reiner (actor, Orange Is the New Black)

“The art that you used was creative and you used it all out of paper bags and paper! I enjoyed your show so much, I started to make my own.” —2nd grader, P.S. 86

“The Paper Bag Players are simply the most original child-oriented entertainment around. We love the audience participation; the children love seeing teachers involved in the song and dance. It’s truly an experience for us to share and laugh out loud together.” —Pre-K Teacher, P.S. 54

“To weld an audience of kids and grownups together with laughter at the same time you're talking to all of them as individuals --- not even Mary Poppins could do that.” —Dan Sullivan, Theatre Critic of the Los Angeles Times

“One leaves each show with a vivid sense of one's blessedness in being alive and in being part of a community of good feeling.” —Mitch Miller, parent

“Thank you for another show that made us laugh, dance, and celebrate our imaginations.” —2nd grader, P.S. 153