Bay Area Children’s Theatre is putting on a fun new play, Llama Llama Red Pajama LIVE!, outdoors at the beautiful California Shakespeare Theater in Orinda. If your kids love the Llama Llama books, fun songs and can (kinda) sit still for about an hour, this is a great introduction to live theater, all among the towering eucalyptus trees and majestic oaks. I took my four and six-year-olds to the opening show and they loved it, even though it was kinda raining and they had the wiggles.
What to expect at Llama Llama Red Pajama LIVE!
You’ll drive to Orinda and park in the dirt parking lot at the bottom of the hill. You can use a stroller for your little ones, hike up the hill, or grab a ride with the golf cart they have running up and down the hill. We hiked up the pathway and it was fine (maybe an eighth or fourth of a mile?). You’ll need to show your vaccine card or a negative test at check-in (masks are optional). You can purchase a “Brunch Box” when you buy tickets beforehand for $30. It has some mini bagels, pastries, fruit and water. Not the most impressive box of food, but it was nice to have some snacks to keep the kids happy during the show.
We went to a 10am show that was very foggy, wet and chilly, so we appreciated the blankets they offer for cozying up during the show ($ donations welcome but not required). The show itself is a series of fun songs and acts following the involved process of putting little Llama to bed. Adults will empathize and appreciate certain jokes and references interwoven into the songs, while kids will enjoy the playful actors and physical comedy. There is one scene where Llama Llama gets scared his mama won’t come back, and some younger kids seemed to get scared. But overall the play is definitely appropriate for ages 3+, even if they’re a bit wiggly towards the end of the show. The cast is also wonderfully diverse, which makes this musical an even more appealing outing for families.
If you want to go to the show:
- Buy Tickets Here>Â Save 5% on tickets with code KidReview5. The show runs July – August.
- Located at 100 California Shakespeare Theater Way, Orinda, CA 94563. Parking is free. More info here>
- Check the themes to see how to dress for your show (wear your pajamas, dress up like a dino, etc.)
- Be prepared for sitting outside for an hour (jackets, hats, sunscreen, bug spray, blanket).
- Bring vaccine card for adults, or negative Covid test.
- Prepare your kiddos with this handy Social Story so they know exactly what to expect.
- All gender bathrooms are available.
Thank you to Bay Area Children’s Theater for the complimentary tickets to the show. All opinions shared here are our own and those of our very opinionated kiddos. Check out more of Bay Area Children’s Theater offerings here.
