The Bay Area Children’s Theatre Mainstage Series includes beloved established plays as well as our own award-winning work, introducing children and their families to imaginary worlds and different cultures.

Our productions inspire children to explore their own creativity, encourage them to think analytically, foster empathy, and broaden their understanding of the world. Mainstage shows feature a range of theatrical art forms, including music, dance, puppetry, movement, and drama, and are suitable for ages 3 through 12.

What's New

Original Productions and World Premieres
This season we are excited to present our original, new productions of The Rainbow Fish Musical, Beautiful Oops!, Inside Out & Back Again, and the world premiere of Judy Moody & Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt.

Shows for Older Kids
By popular demand, we are staging two shows geared toward kids 8 and up: The Night Fairy, and Inside Out & Back Again.

New Berkeley Venue
We now have a new home for our Berkeley performances! We are re-envisioning the Osher Studio to bring every audience member closer to the action onstage, and creating a second, more intimate theatre space to serve specialized audiences—from toddlers to middle schoolers.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show

Straight from a hit run in New York, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show will delight you with a magical stage rendition of Eric Carle’s beloved stories about sea horses, fireflies, and, of course, that lovable Lepidoptera himself, brought to life in vibrant color with puppets galore!

Ages 3+
Berkeley
September - October, 2017

The Night Fairy

When tiny but feisty Flory loses her fairy wings in an attack by a bat, she has to muster all her resources to survive in a garden full of threatening creatures, including a voracious spider. Adapted by John Glore from The Night Fairy by Laura Amy Schlitz.

Ages 8+
Berkeley
October - December, 2017

Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka

Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka follows Charlie’s magical adventure when he wins a tour of Mr. Wonka’s chocolate factory. You’ll love the feast of songs from the original movie! Adapted for young audiences by Leslie Bricusse and Tim McDonald, based on Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Ages 5+
Berkeley & San Francisco
November, 2017 - January, 2018

Elephant & Piggie’s "We Are in a Play!"

Expect happy high jinks galore—and a wonderful time, with music and rhyme—as Mo Willems’ two most unlikely pals cavort through the joys and trials of friendship in Elephant & Piggie’s "We Are in a Play!" Back by popular demand at BACT for the holidays!

Ages 3+
San Francisco
November, 2017 - December, 2017

Beautiful Oops!

“A torn piece of paper is just the beginning” in Beautiful Oops!, Bay Area Children’s Theatre’s original, immersive musical theatre experience in which audience members are invited to help the actors turn accidents into creative successes. Inspired by Barney Saltzberg’s imaginative book.
Ages 3+
Berkeley & San Francisco
January - March, 2018

Judy Moody & Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt

Ahoy! Join the race as Judy and Stink follow clues in their quest for doubloons and a trip on a pirate ship. Judy Moody & Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt brings Megan McDonald’s delightful story to the stage for the first time.

Ages 5+
Berkeley & San Francisco
March - May, 2018

Inside Out & Back Again

Ten-year-old Hà and her family flee from Vietnam to Alabama, where she dreams of her beloved papaya tree and struggles to adjust in a strange new land. A world premiere by Min Kahng, based on Thanhha Lai’s award-winning story told in poetry.

Ages 8+
Berkeley
March - May, 2018