The Thanksgiving Play Opens in Ocala, Florida |
Ocala Civic Theatre presents a satire with opening-weekend matinees |
Looking for a Halloween-weekend plan that trades costumes and candy for live comedy?
The Thanksgiving Play opens at Ocala Civic Theatre on October 29 and runs through November 15.
Written by Larissa FastHorse, the satire follows teaching artists attempting to create a Thanksgiving pageant while also recognizing Native American Heritage Month.
Their effort to get everything right becomes the engine of the comedy, turning good intentions and shaky assumptions into material for the stage.
This is a PG-13 production, so families should consider the rating when choosing an outing.
The theatre is at 4337 East Silver Springs Boulevard, giving Ocala readers a nearby option for an evening show or afternoon performance.
Opening weekend includes a Friday performance on October 30 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday shows at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.
Adult tickets are listed at $35–$40, with tickets for ages 18 and younger at $17–$20, depending on the seating section.
Check seat availability for your preferred performance before organizing a group.
There is also a useful option for parents attending the October 31 matinee.
The theatre’s Play Date program offers a free, on-site workshop for children ages 5–12 while parents attend the show.
Advance registration is required, and the program is limited to 20 children.
The workshop is separate from the performance itself, making it worth reviewing the registration details before buying tickets or promising the kids an afternoon at the theatre. |
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41 Comments
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Play Date being separate from the PG-13 show makes sense to me.
Exactly, the Play Date workshop is separate from the PG-13 performance, so it’s worth reviewing both before making plans.
Saturday has two showtimes, so our group might actually agree on one.
I hope the satire gives the Native American Heritage Month part some care.
Donna F.I hope so too. The subject deserves more than a quick laugh.
We saw a show on East Silver Springs Boulevard last year. Easy trip.
That free workshop only works if you remember to register ahead.
Beth N.Exactly. I'd check on the workshop spot before buying my own ticket.
Halloween weekend seems an odd time for Thanksgiving, but I'm interested.
I'm curious whether the Thanksgiving pageant goes completely off the rails.
The younger ticket price helps if you're taking teens along.
Yes, tickets for ages 18 and younger are listed at $17, $20, depending on the seating section.
My sister and I usually catch the Sunday matinees there.
Melissa GrantSunday matinees are my favorite there. The parking is usually pretty easy.
A Sunday matinee sounds like a lovely tradition! There’s one scheduled for opening weekend at 2 p.m.
Wonder if Friday opening weekend seats are already going quickly.
October 31 matinee with child care might actually get us out of the house.
It could make for a fun afternoon. The October 31 Play Date workshop is free and on-site, but it does require advance registration.
I'd want to know more about the workshop before signing my five-year-old up.
That makes sense. Play Date is for ages 5, 12, but we’d review the workshop details with the theatre before registering. Space is limited to 20 children.
Nate W.Same here. I'd want to know what activities they have planned and who'll be supervising.
Happy to see Ocala Civic Theatre doing something besides the usual holiday fare.
Comedy about people trying too hard to get everything right sounds familiar.
My kids are too old for Play Date, but they'd like the show.
I'd pick the 2 o'clock show over 7:30 any day.
Carol JenningsThe afternoon shows are easier for me too. I can still get home before dinner.
The 2 p.m. Shows are a nice option if you’d rather keep your evening free.
The Civic Theatre is close enough that we might try the Sunday show.
Larissa FastHorse's play sounds like it could start some good conversations.
Angela R.I was thinking that too. It might be a good one to see with friends so you can talk about it afterward.
Thirty-five dollars is a bit much for a night out.
Bill CarterYeah, especially if you're buying two tickets. I usually wait for a show I really want to see.
I wonder how they handle Native American Heritage Month in the pageant.
That’s part of the satire: the teaching artists try to recognize Native American Heritage Month while their assumptions complicate the pageant.
Glad they mentioned the PG-13 rating before families buy tickets.
Twenty spots for Play Date will probably fill up fast.
Linda P.Especially for the Halloween matinee. I'd register before counting on a spot.
Free workshop for the kids while parents watch the play? Smart idea.
That Saturday matinee sounds better than another crowded Halloween event.
Nice to have a comedy option in Ocala on Halloween weekend.
We thought so too! Opening weekend offers both evening shows and matinees at Ocala Civic Theatre.