Event Review: Daniel Tiger Live

Growing up I played sports year round. That was my life. I don’t think I’d ever seen a stage performance until I was cast as an extra in my high school’s production of Annie Get Your Gun during my senior year. There I was dancing onstage in cowboy boots! My wife, however, grew up loving theater and now, more than 15 years after my stage debut, we’ve seen countless Broadway shows together. Theater is a big part of our lives and is something we wanted to introduce to our kids at a young age. Thanks to CAPA Columbus we have access to some of the best shows running. From Broadway Across America and the summer movie series, to a variety of traveling productions, there are shows for everyone!

A few Columbus Dads Group members had the opportunity to take our kids to Daniel Tiger Live at the Palace Theatre. My daughter couldn’t have been more excited. Children of all ages filled the seats. Lighted wands were flashing and candy wrappers were being opened. All of that faded away once the opening music started.

From the moment Trolley crossed the stage, my daughter did not stop singing, dancing, and smiling. Throughout the show Daniel and his friends traveled the neighborhood while singing old favorite and new-to-me songs. The best part of the show was that it brought Daniel to life right in front of us! We learned right along with him about sharing, helping others, and being a good neighbor. We also got to see some of our other favorite characters, like Katerina Kittycat, Prince Wednesday, and “O” the Owl. My daughter couldn’t stop talking about them, that is until we got in the car.

Taking her to see this show made me want to do it more often! She had such a wonderful experience, and it was one that I will never forget. I hope it was the start of a lifetime of seeing performances together. Although I also hope that she never sees the tape (yes, tape) of her dad on stage in high school.