Prime Stage Theatre is excited to announce a new phase of our programming and season with

Prime Stage Sprouts

Prime Stage Sprouts brings literature to life for elementary students beginning in 3rd grade and their families, as we inspire their imaginations and foster a love of reading with the joy of live theatre.

Sprouts shows are at 7:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2:30 on Sundays

CATEGORY: SPROUTS SERIES

The Boxcar Children

Based on the novel by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Adapted for the stage by Barbara Field

Directed by Laura Wurzell

Playbill
- Link to The Boxcar Children Playbill (Flipbook)

Article
- TribLive: 'The Boxcar Children' brings long-running children's book series to Pittsburgh stage

Four orphaned children are running away from their grandfather who they believe is cruel. They find an abandoned boxcar in the woods, then decide to call it home where they can survive suspenseful mysteries and stay together

The Boxcar Children is appropriate for audience in 3rd grade through high school, families, and adults

Performance Dates and Times

Special Dates
Preview: Friday, June 16th at 7pm - Pay What You Can

Opening Night: Saturday, June 17th at 7pm

Sensory Inclusive: Saturday, June 24th at 2:30pm
Link to Purchase Sensory Inclusive Tickets

Audio Describe: Sunday, June 25th at 2:30pm
Link to Purchase Audio Describe Tickets

ASL Signed Interpreted: Sunday, June 25th at 2:30pm
Link to Purchase ASL Signed Interpreted Tickets

Ticket Links

Link to Main Ticketing Page

Link to Sensory Inclusive Tickets

Link to Audio Describe Tickets

Link to ASL Signed Interpreted

Prime Stage Theatre is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and welcoming to all patrons. Please identify any special seating needs to our Box Office staff when reserving your tickets in advance on-line or by calling Prime Stage Public Performance Box Office at the New Hazlett 412.320.4610

Funder/Support

The Boxcar Children Cast

Rayna Akin
Portraying Jessie

Rayna is a Sophomore at PALCS cyber school. She caught the acting bug after first being cast in Seussical the Musical (Cat in the Hat) in 2018 at the Highlands Middle School. A few months later, she joined Pittsburgh Musical Theater to advance her skills and obtain further education in the arts. Her highlight performances include Jesus Christ Superstar (Cantor), The Little Mermaid (Arista), A Lyrical Christmas Carol (Belle), Footloose (Ariel), and The Lightning Thief (Charon). She recently started auditioning for Prime Stage in the summer of 2022. She played the leading role in The Amazing Lemonade Girl (Alex) and got to work alongside many fantastic actors. Rayna continues to perform with the wonderful support of her friends and family.

John Dolphin
Portraying Big Mike and Mr. John Henry Alden

John, originally from Buffalo, is now a Pittsburgh based actor. He was last seen as (Dad) in Painting Lessons during this year’s CSA Series at the New Hazlett Theatre. Before that he understudied the role of (The Legionnaire/Mike) for What the Constitution Means to Me at City Theatre. Locally, he has been seen at The Pittsburgh New Works Festival Warren and the Polar Bear, and Abroad Not Home, The Young Playwrights Festival at City Theatre, Prime Stage Theatre, The New Renaissance Theatre Children of the Night and the staged reading of Coach and Mrs. Jagoff. In Buffalo, he worked on the main stage at the Studio Arena Theatre (Whit) in Of Mice and Men and as a teaching artist. NYC credits include productions at the Off-Center Theatre, The New Theatre, The American Folk Theatre, and The Music Theatre Lab.

Matt Henderson
Portraying Officer Banning and Cookie

Matt returns to Prime Stage after appearances in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Arsenic and Old Lace, Einstein, A Stage Portrait, Twelfth Night, Walk Two Moons, The Scarlet Letter, and The Westing Game. He has worked with many theatre companies throughout the Pittsburgh area. Quantum Theatre: 10 for 21. Arcade Comedy Theater: The Thanksgiving Play. City Theatre: The Young Playwrights Festival PICT Classic Theatre: The Old Curiosity Shop, Romeo & Juliet, The Lion in Winter, 12 Peers Theater: Mr. Burns, a post-electric play, Thom Pain (based on nothing), and Colorado. With Bricolage: Speech & Debate, Midnight Radio - Mad Science Lab, Underwater Voyage, Animated Holidaze. For No Name Players: Fixing King John. Off the Wall: boom. Cup-A-Jo Productions: Unhinged, Hospitality Suite. Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, Shakespeare: The First Drafts. At The New Renaissance Theatre Company: The Merry Wives of Windsor, and The Tempest.

Mairead A. Roddy
Portraying Sarah Calder

Mairead Is thrilled to return to Prime Stage after appearing last year in A Wrinkle in Time. Mairead grew up in Pittsburgh and earned a Bachelor’s in Theatre from Point Park in 2019. Her favorite credits include The Marvelous Wonderettes (Betty Jean) with Stage 62, Company (Marta) with Riverfront, and Arcadia (Thomasina) with Little Lake. Mairead would like to thank this cast and crew for their imaginations and lively spirits in putting this production together. Much love to Mom & Dad for their boundless love, patience, and support. Mairead would like to dedicate this performance, in particular, to Keira and Alexander, and, as always, to Johnny, Todd, J. Frank, & Aunt Pat. Sláinte.

Molly Frontz
Portraying Violet

Molly is a sixth-grade theater student at PPS CAPA and has been studying at CLO Academy since she was 6. She is excited to be joining this wonderful cast as she takes on the role of Violet in her return to Prime Stage Theatre. Other recent roles include Lucy in Prime Stage's production of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, Matilda in CAPA's production of Matilda the Musical, and assorted roles including Belinda Cratchit in CLO's A Musical Christmas Carol. Molly dedicates this performance to her twin, Matthew.

Eamonn McElfresh
Portraying Henry

Eamonn is a musical theater major at Pittsburgh CAPA and a student at CLO Academy. He is thrilled to be reunited with the Prime Stage family. He was recently seen on the stage in Prime Stage’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, CAPA’s The Prom, The Pittsburgh Public’s production of The Christmas Story, CLO Academy’s Into the Woods and Front Porch Theatricals Grand Hotel. He would like to thank his family, teachers, and coaches for their continued support and guidance.

Isaac Miller
Portraying Dr. Samuel Truman

Isaac is thrilled to be performing at the New Hazlett again in his hometown of Pittsburgh. Recent Prime Stage performances include The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Professor/Father Christmas), Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad (Publisher/Master/Conductor), and Frankenstein (Victor Frankenstein/Percy Shelley). NY Credits include America’s Favorite Newscaster and What Elsa’s Knew in Peril. Isaac just played Deputy Governor Danforth in Vigilance Theatre’s production of The Crucible. He has starred in other shows such as Beauty and the Beast, Ragtime, and Little Shop of Horrors. Isaac is also a musician and a graduate of the CMU BFA Musical Theater Class of 2017.

Kylan Moore
Portraying Benny and The Kid

Kylan is excited to be making his theater debut with Prime Stage Theatre! Having just completed second grade at Whitehall Elementary School, Kylan is looking forward to summer vacation, which he will spend riding his bike, swimming, and going to the beach. When not performing, Kylan enjoys reading Calvin and Hobbes, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and “Dog Man, or playing Minecraft and Super Mario on his Nintendo Switch. Kylan would like to thank his family for all their support and hope you enjoy the production! Next up - Performing Arts Camp in Sewickley!

Jocelyn Hillen Newham
Portraying Mrs. Alberts, Bakery Woman and Mrs. Truman

Portraying Mrs. Alberts, Bakery Woman and Mrs. Truman Jocelyn is excited to be in her first production at Prime Stage! Jocelyn has been acting since her tween years and has a BFA in Theatre from the University of Arts in Philadelphia. Some of her favorite roles are Private Lives (Amanda), Steel Magnolias (Truvy), Crimes of the Heart (Chick), and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Lucy). For the last several years, Jocelyn has been performing, coaching, and teaching long and short form improv primarily at Arcade Comedy Theater, as well as at festivals and theaters nationwide. She also co-produces several recurring improv shows. She’s thrilled to return to the scripted stage and to have been cast in this lovely production. She wants to thank the entire cast and crew and love to her husband, Craig, and their three darling kitties.

More Information

The Boxcar Children Website: It’s More Than Just a Mystery!

The Boxcar Children Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TVLHl98y1E

The Boxcar Children: Everything you want to know

Meet the Boxcar Children! https://www.boxcarchildren.com/meet-the-boxcar-children/