Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant’s Tale, the latest production from the Scottish Rite Theater, premiered over the weekend and our Do512 Family Content Manager, Heidi, had the chance to take her three boys (ages 5, 7 and 8) to see the show about a rabbit on the search for his missing Papá. Read all about it.

When you attend a family show at Austin’s Scottish Rite Theater, you know that your kids are going to be treated to a great time. Upon arrival, kids are invited to pick up a coloring sheet/program and a handful of crayons to take into the theater. Children head straight to the front to settle in on the carpets right up by the stage and parents can find a spot in the open-seating theater. Lovely pre-show music fills the room, and in this case, we enjoyed the peaceful sounds of acoustic guitar.

Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant’s Tale is adapted from Duncan Tonatiuh’s award winning book of the same name and tells the tale of Pancho Rabbit who meets a Coyote on his quest to find his Papá. The drought had forced Papá Rabbit to head North for work, but when he doesn’t return home as expected, Pancho decides to go look for him. On the way, the Coyote offers to help him, but of course, he brings drama and trouble. While it seems like a simple trickster tale, this story also provides a very accessible way to think about the realities of undocumented immigrants entering into the U.S.

While Pancho was clearly in danger while in the company of the Coyote, the production was incredibly kid-friendly and silly with a touch of slapstick comedy — not dark and spooky. In this interactive show, the actors turn to the children in the audience for advice. Children were so wrapped up in the actions of Pancho Rabbit that they were always eager to shout out to him, “Don’t do that!” “Go that way!”, etc. Kids would advise Pancho on how to act and how to escape the Coyote. In fact, my 5-year-old was laughing so hard and waving his arms at the characters that he nearly fell over at one point. Just watching my son’s excitement had me laughing so hard!

I will note that there is one moment during a scene with puppet snakes when the entire theater goes dark. So if your child is afraid of the dark, you may wish to have him sit with you instead of on the carpet. Otherwise, there wasn’t anything to be fearful of, and of course, the show finishes with a happy ending.

The show lasted about 45 minutes, and the actors were available afterwards to meet with the kids and sign their programs. When we left the theater, I heard lots of little voices telling their moms and dads about their favorite parts of the show. It was certainly a fun way to spend an afternoon together!

– Here’s the remaining showtimes:

• Saturday, Feb. 28 – 11 a.m.
• Sunday, Mar. 1 – 2 p.m.

Also, teachers take note that you can schedule daytime school shows during the week and curricular materials, created by master teacher Caroline Sweet, are available. For more info, click here.

– Tickets:
Tickets are available online here and will also be sold at the door. $8 for kids 12 and under, $12 for adults.

– Giveaway:
We have a family 4-pack of tickets to give away to a show this weekend. Winner will be able to choose to see it either Feb. 7 or 8. Enter below! Good luck! GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS FOR ENTERING.