In 2020, The Rep introduced their drive-through family New Year’s event, The Glowy Snowy Day, based on Ezra Jack Keats’ classic tale, The Snowy Day. The event, in partnership with StoneLion Puppet Theatre, was perfect for my family: socially-distanced, enjoyed from the comfort of our warm car, and brought literature to life for my kids. It offered a celebration of winter just as we were taking down our holiday decorations and entering the often dark and dull days of January. We also enjoyed a light sprinkling of snow just as we pulled into the line of cars, adding to the magic of the evening!
I was thrilled to see that the event became annual and immediately signed my family up for the 2021 event. We drove through on New Year’s Eve, and at first, my preschool-aged children were very apprehensive when told by one of the friendly Rep staff members that they couldn’t get out of the car. As soon as we started driving and saw the glow-in-the-dark puppets and interactive recreations of the pages of The Snowy Day, however, my two-year-old couldn’t stop shouting “more!”
The ten-minute drive-through experience is paired with a podcast on The Rep’s website narrating the scenes depicted out of our car windows, which follow the story of The Snowy Day: a young boy enjoying the first snow of the season. Each stop is a little different, some featuring animated puppets, some featuring performers, and some featuring moving sets that bring the magic of the little boy’s snow day to life.
Our family loved The Glowy, Snowy Day and looks forward to attending next year! As a mom and the planner of the family, I appreciated a few new features this year: timed entry so your family won’t be waiting in a long line and a text and email “know before you go” message sharing pertinent details on exactly where to enter the exhibit and what to expect.
Reservations are required for this free event. My family chose to make a donation in support of The Rep, which is not required, but helps The Rep bring more great programming to our community.
To follow The Repertory Theatre’s family events, check out their website!
