"Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny"

Discount pricing is available for this event. Learn more here.

This presentation is recommended for ages 4+.

Goodnight Moon is a celebration of familiar nighttime rituals, while The Runaway Bunny’s pretend tale of leaving home evokes reassuring responses from his loving mum. Both feature endearing rabbit characters, and the soothing rhythms of bunny banter and dream-like imagery never fail to infuse young readers with a reassuring sense of security. Mermaid’s staged adaptation brings a new sense of appreciation to stories that have delighted several generations.

About Mermaid Theatre
Mermaid Theatre has been in continuous operation since it was founded in 1972 in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. We moved to the neighboring town of Windsor in 1987, and helped to revitalize the historic town’s downtown business core. Our extensive headquarters encompass production studios, administrative offices, rehearsal quarters, a versatile studio, animation studios, film & television recording capacity, and an elegant 400-seat performance facility known as The Mermaid Imperial Performing Arts Centre (MIPAC). The enthusiastic response to our innovative family audiences programming has enabled us to establish unparalleled touring circuits.

Mermaid Theatre ranks among North America’s most respected theatres for the young and plays an important ambassadorial role for Nova Scotia and for Canada. The company has performed for more than 4.5 million spectators on four continents and offers productions in seven languages.  

Each year we present more than 400 performances for 200,000 spectators – many of them new to the theatre experience.  Mermaid regularly crosses Canada and the United States, and has represented Canada in more than a dozen countries.  Recorded narration featuring outstanding international artists facilitates performances in English, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, French, Cantonese and Mandarin. Closer to home, Mermaid’s Institute of Puppetry Arts offers puppetry instruction at both community and professional levels. The Institute’s imaginative curriculum-based touring programs entertain and inform students and teachers throughout the region, as well as encourage educators to incorporate the performing arts in the teaching of science. Our MIPAC Performing Arts Series attracts audiences of all ages. Many travel from nine counties to join local fans in enjoying our Family Fare program, unique to Nova Scotia.

About the Author Few writers have been as attuned to the concerns and emotions of childhood as Margaret Wise Brown (1910–1952). Brown, a former teacher, believed that very young children could be fascinated by the simple pleasures of the world around them. Few had previously attempted to write specifically for children aged two to five, and Brown created some of the most enduring and beloved children’s books of all time as well as developed the concept of the first durable board book.

About the Illustrator Clement Hurd (1908–1988) graduated from Yale University and studied painting in Paris in the 1930s with Fernand Léger and others. His engaging semi-abstract style became world-famous with the publication of The Runaway Bunny in 1942 and Goodnight Moon in 1947 - collaborations with Brown that became two of the 20th Century’s bestknown children’s books.

About the Creative Team Jim Morrow, Director/Production Designer Jim creates puppets for stage, television and film. He's directed numerous shows for the Theatre, including Stella, Queen of the Snow; The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Favourites; Guess How Much I Love You & I Love My Little Storybook; Swimmy, Frederick, and Inch by Inch; as well as designed many others. A gifted performer, Jim has toured extensively in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan. He serves as director of puppetry for Symphony Nova Scotia's production of The Nutcracker, and frequently conducts master classes in puppetry in North America and abroad. Jim is Mermaid Theatre’s Artistic Director.

Steven Naylor, Composer Steven has created the music for more than a dozen Mermaid shows, including Stella, Queen of the Snow; Guess How Much I Love You & I Love My Little Storybook; Swimmy, Frederick, and Inch by Inch; The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Favourites and many others. His many other professional activities include original film and television scores; contemporary music composition and performance; university teaching and curriculum development; and a long-term international involvement with electroacoustic concert music. Steven is Mermaid Theatre's Artistic Advisor for Music and Sound Design.

Deborah Allen, Narrator Deborah began her theatrical career in Halifax, NS as Neptune Theatre’s first apprentice in 1965. Since then she has made a successful career as an actor, director, producer, radio broadcaster and voice specialist. Deb toured with Mermaid Theatre’s production of The Journey in 1974, which played to First Nations communities throughout Nova Scotia. Since that time she has had extensive experience in theatre, film, television and radio. Deb has lent her voice to countless documentaries for the National Film Board, TVO, commercials and museum installations. Among her very favorite narrations would have to be for those little people in her family.

Join us for more! Ticketholders are welcome to join us before the show at 2:30 pm in the Davies Lounge at Kingston Grand Theatre for the fun and lively musical stylings of local musician Kimberly Dolan. Limited spots available on a first-come first-served basis.    

Kimberly Dolan is a certified music therapist and singer-songwriter based in Kingston, Ontario. She is co-founder, RP-Q & Neurologic Music Therapist at Synergy Music Therapy & Wellness Services. She works with many people, but her main area of focus is within the realm of mental health care, supporting people of all ages in living a fulfilled and healthy life. 

Music has played a dominant role in Kimberly’s life since childhood and has helped her navigate some of her greatest challenges and celebrate her biggest successes. Kimberly’s connection and passion for music led her to a career as a certified music therapist specializing in mental health. As a music therapist she uses music in a variety of capacities to support the health and wellbeing of her clients. After 3 years working full time in the field, Kimberly has rediscovered just how important creating her own music is for her processing and self-expression. 

Learn more about Kimberly by visiting Synergy Music Therapy & Wellness Services and Basementworld Records - Kimberly Dolan.