(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) has announced the full lineup of Kids + Family programming for Season 21, offering families across the SOMA community and beyond a season full of reasons to Be Here together. From beloved storybook classics to live music made just for young audiences, this year's Kids + Family series is one of SOPAC's most robust yet, and for the first time, it includes a dedicated Sensory-Friendly performance.
"Season 21's Kids + Family lineup is about making sure every child and every family has a way to be here with us. This year, that means an even bigger slate of shows — and it also means taking a meaningful first step with our Sensory-Friendly performance of Peter Pan, with lowered sound, raised house lights, and relaxed house rules so families with sensory sensitivities can experience the magic of live theater in a space built for them. That's what Be Here means to us: making room for everyone." — Miriam Vales, Interim Executive Director, SOPAC
Kids + Family: A Bigger Season for SOPAC's Youngest Audiences and their families - Season 21 features SOPAC's most expanded Kids + Family lineup to date, giving young audiences and their families even more reasons to be here together.
PANTO’s Cinderella | November 14, 2026 at 1:00pm. Cinder’s future looks bleak until her Fairy Godmother casts a spell to send her to the royal ball. A classic story brought to life in true Panto Company USA fashion, with original modern songs and comedy for the whole family.
Frosty: A Musical Adventure | December 12, 2026 at 1:00pm. The magic of the holiday season comes to life in this heartwarming musical about a young orphan named Billy and the snowman, Frosty, as they journey through New York City in search of Billy’s real family – and discover that the real magic of the season is love.
Noon Year’s Eve Party: The Rock and Roll Playhouse Plays the Music of Harry Styles | December 31, 2026 at 12:00pm. Why wait until midnight? Ring in 2027 early as the Rock and Roll Playhouse, the largest kid-friendly live concert series in the country, brings Harry Styles’ biggest hits to life for families with children ages one to seven, with dancing, singing, and games. Stay for the VIP After Party in The Loft, and come early for a free Noon Year’s Eve Storytime with Ms. Keisha from the South Orange Public Library.
The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon | January 30, 2027 at 1:00pm. One night, Harold wanted to go for a walk in the moonlight, but there wasn’t a moon or a path, so he drew them. Enchantment Theatre brings Harold’s imagination to life with puppetry, pantomime, dance, and magic as he jets to Mars, joins a circus, and rescues a princess.
Peter Pan | March 20, 2027 at 10:00am* & 12:00pm. Wendy and her brothers love to play make-believe. Then one night, Peter Pan and his fairy friend Tinkerbell whisk them away to Neverland. Brought to life by six quick-changing actors, the Barter Players make this an adventure you will never forget. *The 10:00 AM performance will also mark an important milestone for SOPAC as their first-ever Sensory-Friendly performance. This pilot initiative is designed to create a welcoming and inclusive experience for children and families with sensory sensitivities, featuring lowered sound levels, raised house lights, and relaxed house rules.
Clifford the Big Red Dog: The Musical | May 23, 2027 at 12:00pm. Everyone’s favorite oversized pup takes the stage in a joyful, laugh-filled celebration of friendship and unconditional love, as Emily Elizabeth’s giant-sized love makes Clifford grow into a giant, sending them on a big Birdwell Island adventure with an even bigger heart.
Kids + Family tickets are on sale now at SOPACnow.org or by calling the SOPAC box office at (973) 313-2787.
Beyond presenting world-class performances, Season 21’s Kids + Family lineup reflects SOPAC's commitment to making the performing arts more welcoming, accessible, and representative of the community it serves.
The South Orange Performing Arts Center curates a distinctive lineup of exhilarating and expansive performances, bringing exceptional artists and unforgettable experiences to audiences in the greater South Orange/Maplewood region and contributing to the economic and social vibrancy of its highly diverse community.
SOPAC is an accessible cultural destination that presents world-class artists in an intimate and welcoming setting. The Jennifer & Tony Leitner Performance Hall is a 439-seat mainstage theatre with superb acoustics, sight lines, and seating. SOPAC offers a rare connection between artists and audiences—where every seat feels close to the stage and every performance feels personal. Guests experience the excitement of seeing world-class performers in a space that creates the feeling of exclusive access, where artists share their work, stories, and passion in a way that larger venues simply cannot replicate. Artists acknowledge that the atmosphere encourages conversations with audiences. The Loft at SOPAC is a 2,185 square-foot multi-purpose space used for performances, rehearsals, classes, and special events.
The unique architecture of SOPAC’s building, which includes a stunning 3-story glass-enclosed atrium, is also home to the Herb + Milly Iris Gallery, where exhibitions showcase the work of local, regional, and nationally recognized visual artists, providing free access to the visual arts for residents and visitors throughout the year. Beyond the building, SOPAC co-produces local events such as South Orange Summer Nights and serves students and schools through its arts education residencies.
SOPAC is invested in arts education and creating meaningful opportunities for students of all ages to experience, participate in, and connect with the arts. SOPAC serves students and schools in our region through a School Performance Series, performing Arts Residencies, and an annual juried art exhibit entitled INSPIRED MINDS: Young Artist Exhibition. SOPAC also collaborates with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts each year to host the Region 5 Poetry Out Loud competitions. With its artistic partnership with SOPAC, the Seton Hall University Arts Council presents a diverse range of events at SOPAC with seasoned professionals, students, and faculty. Through these collaborations, SOPAC continues to expand access to the arts and create opportunities for learning, connection, and discovery across generations.
SOPAC opened its doors in 2006, born from a shared vision of the South Orange Village Trustees and Seton Hall University to create the artistic destination of the community and the centerpiece of an ambitious redevelopment plan. More than 2 decades later, SOPAC continues to serve as a cultural cornerstone for the region, an economic driver for the community, and a catalyst for artistic opportunity.
The Seton Hall University Arts Council supports the integral role of the arts in higher education. The Arts Council, housed within the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media, strengthens the cultural vitality of the visual, literary and performing arts for the University campus and the surrounding community.
Friday, October 30, 2026
@ 7:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
Rahway, NJ
Friday, October 30, 2026
@ 8:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ
Friday, October 30, 2026
@ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center
Morristown, NJ
Friday, October 30, 2026
@ 8:00pm
Outpost In The Burbs
Montclair, NJ
Suzanne Vega will perform a career-spanning show including favorites like “Tom’s Diner”, “Luka”, “Marlene On The Wall”, and many more, plus songs from her latest album, Flying with Angels, which was released in May 2025 to critical acclaim. She will be joined on stage by her longtime guitarist, Gerry Leonard (of David Bowie fame), and cellist Stephanie Winters. [Video Trailer]
Friday, October 30, 2026
@ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ
