Playtime Poppy Show History

Playtime Poppy Children’s Theatre has provided engaging and interactive productions for children and families since 1951. The following is our historical listing of performances!

  • 1951-52
    Indian Captive, Junior League

    1952-53
    Prince Swineherd Ballet, Strawbridge Ballet
    Pinocchio, Junior League
    Hansel & Gretel, Beethoven Club

    1953-54
    The Silver Thread, Coe College
    The Wizard of Oz,Junior League
    Alice in Wonderland, U of Minnesota

    1954-55
    The Ghost of Mr. Penny, Drake University
    Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Junior League
    The Clown Who Ran Away, Coe College

    1955-56
    Daniel Boone, Drake University
    Pinocchio and the Indians, Junior League
    Emperor’s New Clothes, Cornell College
    Many Moons, Coe College

    1956-57
    Radio Rescue, Community Theatre
    Magic Apple, Junior League
    Huckleberry Finn, Coe College

    1957-58
    Mr. Popper’s Penguins, Community Theatre/Junior League
    Seven Little Rebels, Coe College
    Sleeping Beauty, Dieman-Bennett Ballet

    1958-59
    Mr. Dooley Jr., Community Theatre
    The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Junior League
    Arthur & the Magic Sword, Washington High School

    1959-60
    Land of the Dragon, Iowa State Teachers
    Simon Big-Ears, Junior League
    The Magic Horn, Washington High School

  • 1960-61
    Little Lee Bobo    , Community Theatre
    Escape into Space, Junior League
    Six Dancing Princesses, Clarke College

    1961-62
    Red Shoes    , Jefferson High School
    The Tinder Box, Junior League
    Rapunzel, Recreation Commission

    1962-63
    Cinderella    , Recreation Commission
    Aladdin & the Wonderful Lamp, Junior League
    Emperor’s New Clothes, Clarke College

    1963-64
    Snow Queen and the Goblin    , Jefferson High School
    Dr. Graymatter’s Dilemma, Community Theatre/Junior League

    1964-65
    The Clown Who Ran Away    , Jefferson High School
    The Marvelous Land of OZ, Junior
    LeagueWinnie-the-Pooh, Recreation Commission

    1965-66
    The Foolish Physician    , Jefferson High School
    Alice in Wonderland, Regis High School
    The Crying Princess and the Golden Goose, Junior League

    1966-67
    Beauty and the Beast    , Jefferson High School
    Rumpelstiltskin, Regis High School
    The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Junior League

    1967-68
    Pegora, the Witch    , Jefferson High School
    Tom Sawyer, Regis High School
    Escape Into Space, Junior League

    1968-69
    Pandora    , Jefferson High School
    Greensleeves Magic, Kennedy High School
    Brave Little Tailor, Washington High School

    1969-70
    Aladdin and the Magic Lamp    , Kennedy High School
    The Strolling Players, Regis High School
    Simon Big-Ears, Junior League

  • 1970-71
    Trudi and the Minstrel    , Jefferson High School
    Pinnochio, Junior League
    Princess and the Swineherder, Washington High School

    1971-72
    Wizard of Oz    , Coe College Players
    Little Match Girl, Kennedy High School
    Marlin the Magnificent, Junior League
    Young Abe Lincoln, Loras College Players

    1972-73
    Cinderella    , Coe College Players
    The Great Cross Country Race, Regis High School
    Imagine That, Old Creamery Players

    1973-74
    No Small Thing    , Kennedy High School
    Androcles and The Lion, Jefferson High School
    The Secret World of OG, Washington High School

    1974-75
    Babes in Toyland    , Kennedy High School
    Land of the Dragon, Jefferson High School
    Alice in Wonderland, Washington High School
    Raggedy Ann & Andy, Loras College Players

    1975-76
    Tom Sawyer    , Kennedy High School
    Tales of Czechoslovakia, Jefferson High School
    The Emperor’s New Clothes, Washington High School

    1976-77
    Rags to Riches    , Jefferson High School
    A Box Full of Stories, Kennedy High School
    Sleeping Beauty, Washington High School
    Dr. Graymatter’s Dilemma (Bonus), Loras College Players

    1977-78
    Cinderella    , Kennedy High School
    Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, Jefferson High School
    Androcles and the Lion, Washington High School

    1978-79
    The Pied Piper    , Kennedy High School
    The Crying Princess and the Golden Goose, Jefferson High School
    The Mirror Man, Washington High School

  • 1979-80
    Golliwhoppers    , Kennedy High School
    The Adventures of Harlequin, Jefferson High School
    Cinderella, Loras College Players
    Tales of Hans Christian Anderson, Washington High School

    1980-81
    Pinocchio    , Kennedy High School
    Hansel & Gretel, Jefferson High School
    Beauty and the Beast, Washington High School

    1981-82
    The Magic Pebble Gang    , Kennedy High School
    Tables ‘n’ Things, Jefferson High School
    Winnie the Pooh, Washington High School

    1982-83
    Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs    , Kennedy High School
    Half Past Wednesday, Jefferson High School
    Frosteria’s Folly, Washington High School

    1983-84
    Alice in Wonderland    , Kennedy High School
    Sleeping Beauty, Jefferson High School
    Dr. Doolittle, Washington High School

    1984-85
    Raggedy Ann and Andy    , Kennedy High School
    Cinderladdin, Jefferson High School
    The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, Washington High School

    1985-86
    Charlotte’s Web    , Kennedy High School
    Jack and the Beanstalk, Jefferson High School
    Skungpoomery, Washington High School

    1986-87
    James and the Giant Peach    , Kennedy High School
    Pete’s Feat, Jefferson High School
    Cinderella, Washington High School
    Wheels, Loras College Players

    1987-88I
    Believe in Make-Believe    , Jefferson High School
    Really Rosy, Kennedy High School
    Snow White, Washington High School

    1988-89
    The Princess and the Pea    , Kennedy High School
    Tales of the Arabian Nights, Jefferson High School
    The Adventures of a Bear Named Paddington, Washington High School

    1989-90
    Little Red Riding Hood    , Kennedy High School
    Tales from Hans Christian Anderson, Jefferson High School
    Sleeping Beauty, Washington High School

  • 1990-91
    The Adventures of Peter Cottontail    , Kennedy High School
    The Clown Who Ran Away, Jefferson High School
    Magical Mysteries and Monsters, Washington High School

    1991-92
    The Emperor’s New Clothes    , Kennedy High School
    Cinderella, Jefferson High School
    Pinocchio, Washington High School

    1992-93
    Eyefellgloffenhootenaniemerryberrycrunch    , Kennedy High School
    Sleeping Beauty, Jefferson High School
    Beauty and the Beast, Washington High School

    1993-94
    The Twelve Dancing Princesses    , Kennedy High School
    Aladdin, Jefferson High School
    King Midas and the Golden Touch, Washington High School

    1994-95
    Rumpelstiltskin    , Kennedy High School
    The Reluctant Dragon, Jefferson High School
    The Fox and the Hound, Washington High School

    1995-96
    The Bremen Town Musicians    , Kennedy High School
    The Emperor’s New Clothes, Jefferson High School
    Jack and the Beanstalk, Washington High School

    1996-97
    Snow White    , Kennedy High School
    Beauty and the Beast, Jefferson High School
    Peter Pan, Washington High School

    1997-98
    Cinderella    , Kennedy High School
    Hansel and Gretel, Jefferson High School
    Robin Hood, Washington High School

    1998-99
    Sleeping Beauty    , Kennedy High School
    Arthur and the Dragon, Jefferson High School
    Hunchback of Notre Dame, Washington High School

    1999-00
    Pinocchio    , Kennedy High School
    Three Tales of Three: 3 Billy Goats Gruff, 3 Little Pigs, and The 3 Bears, Jefferson High School
    Jungle Book, Washington High School

  • 2000-01
    Little Mermaid    , Kennedy High School
    The Three “R’s”: Rapunzel, Rumpelstiltskin, and Little Red Riding Hood, Jefferson High School
    Dumbo, Washington High School

    2001-02
    The Story of Playtime Poppy    , Kennedy High School
    Aladdin, Jefferson High School
    Tarzan, Washington High School

    2002-03
    The Snow Queen    , Jefferson High School
    Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Kennedy High School
    Peter Rabbit, Washington High School

    2003-04
    Jungle Book    , Jefferson High School
    Winnie the Pooh, Kennedy High School
    Cinderella, Washington High School

    2004-05
    School House Rock Jr.    , Jefferson High School
    Peter Pan, Kennedy High School
    Beauty & The Beast, Washington High School

    2005-06
    Pinocchio    , Jefferson High School
    Charlotte’s Web, Kennedy High School
    Little Mermaid, Washington High School

    2006-07
    Snow White    , Jefferson High School
    Alice in Wonderland, Kennedy High School
    The Fox and The Hound, Washington High School

    2007-08
    The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe    , Jefferson High School
    James and the Giant Peach, Kennedy High School
    The Reluctant Dragon, Washington High School

    2008-09
    Timeless Tales by Hans Christian Andersen    , Jefferson High School
    Disney’s 101 Dalmatians the Musical, Kennedy High School
    Sleeping Beauty, Washington High School

    2009-10
    Aladdin    , Jefferson High School
    A Year With Frog and Toad, Kennedy High School
    Disney’s Sleeping Beauty the Musical, Linn-Mar High School
    Go Dog Go! Washington High School
    Jungle Book, Missoula Children's Theatre at Theatre Cedar Rapids

  • 2010-11
    The Adventures of Captain Spoon: The Forgetful Pirate    , Jefferson High School
    T’was the Night Before Christmas, Kennedy High School
    Disney’s The Aristocats, Linn-Mar High School
    Snow White and the Seven Dudes, Washington High School
    The Legend of Blackbeard's Gold, Old Creamery Theatre at Theatre Cedar Rapids

    2011-12
    Charlie and the Chocolate Factory    , Jefferson High School
    The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Kennedy High School
    Disney’s Jungle Book, Linn-Mar High School
    Robin Hood, Washington High School
    Calamity Jane and the Showdown at Dry Gulch, Old Creamery Theatre at Coe College

    2012-13
    Alice in Wonderland    , Jefferson High School
    Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr., Kennedy High School
    Disney’s Mulan, a musical, Linn-Mar High School
    The Princess and the Pea, Washington High School
    A Good Book Goes a Long Way!, STA at Theatre Cedar Rapids

    2013-14
    Dr. Suess’ The Cat in the Hat    , Jefferson High School
    Disney’s Cinderella Kids, Kennedy High School
    Disney’s Winnie the Pooh KIDS, Linn-Mar High School
    Peter Rabbit, Washington High School
    The Super Sleuths of Cedar Rapids, STA at Theatre Cedar Rapids

    2014-15
    The Princess Who Wouldn’t Wear Pink    , Jefferson High School
    Honk! Jr., Kennedy High School
    Disney’s Peter Pan Jr., Linn-Mar High School
    Magical Mysteries & Monsters, Washington High School
    Adventures at Summer Camp, STA at Theatre Cedar Rapids

    2015-16
    The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Jr.    , Jefferson High School
    The Heartless Giant: A Norwegian Fairy Tale, Kennedy High School
    Harold and the Purple Crayon, Washington High School
    Fractured Fairy Tales, STA at Cedar Rapids Public Library

    2016-17
    James and the Giant Peach    , Jefferson High School
    Elf the Musical JR., Kennedy High School
    Stellaluna, Washington High School
    Alice in Wonderland, Brucemore
    110th Street Hullabaloo, STA by Cavan Hallman at Cedar Rapids Public Library

    2017-18
    Aladdin and the Magic Lamp    , Jefferson High School
    Disney’s The Lion King JR., Kennedy High School
    Pippi Longstocking, Washington High School
    The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Brucemore
    The Woods of Old Bohemia, STA by Darrin Crow at NCSML

    2018-19
    The Adventure’s of Captain Spoon: The Forgetful Pirate    , Jefferson High School
    Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR., Kennedy High School
    Jack and the Beanstalk, Washington High School
    Charlotte's Web, Brucemore
    Tales Beneath the Baobab Tree, STA by Darrin Crow at NCSML

    2019-20
    Reeling    , Jefferson High School
    Disney’s Frozen Jr., Kennedy High School
    COVID-19 Cancellation, Washington High School

  • 2020-21
    Virtual Operation Backstage, to 3rd grade classrooms, Jefferson High School
    COVID-19 and Derecho Cancellation. Kennedy High School
    Disney’s The Little Mermaid: live performances recorded for feeder elementary schools, Washington High School

    2021-22
    The Golem of Prague,     STA by Darrin Crow at NCSML
    Disney’s 101 Dalmatians, Kids, Jefferson High School
    Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Jr., Kennedy High School
    Pinnochio, Washington High School

    2022-2023
    The Tall Friend, The Broad Friend, and the Friend with Eyes of Flame,     STA by Darrin Crow at NCSML
    The Stinky Cheese Man, Jefferson High School
    Beauty and the Beast, Jr., Kennedy High School
    Harriet the Spy, Washington High School

    2023-2024
    It's Complicated: Fairy Tales from the Ukrainian Steppes    , STA by Darrin Crow at Cedar Rapids Public Library
    Fairy Tale Repair Shoppe, Jefferson High School
    The Lion King, Jr., Kennedy High School
    The Hardy Boys, Washington High School

    2024-2025
    Homefront Heroes    , STA by Darrin Crow at the Veterans Memorial Building
    The Jungle Book, Jefferson High School
    Elf the Musical Jr., Kennedy High School
    Swiss Family Robinson, Washington High School

“Theatre has been such an important part of my life and has truly been a place where I have always felt welcomed and included. I look forward to showing the next generation of actors and technicians what an amazing theatre community we have here!”

Mindy Fiala-Leaven, Playtime Poppy Board Treasurer

“I have fond memories of walking to Kennedy High School to see the Playtime Poppy show every year. When I was old enough, I led the tours of the set and scene shop for Operation Backstage.”

Jackson Green, Playtime Poppy Board Director