Maddy's Theatre premieres Balloonacy, first show of Inaugural Summer Season

After nearly a century of searching, the longest, continuously operating children’s theatre in the nation has finally found its home on Thompson’s Point. We have taken the very best from the past ninety-eight years, to create engaging, transformative theatre experiences. Here Maddy’s Theatre can truly “unleash magic” and inspire joy and discovery. 

“For the Inaugural Summer Season in Maddy’s Theatre, we asked ourselves: How can we - as a community - come together in the theatre to reflect on what this past year has taught us about resilience and the power of storytelling?” said Reba Askari, Theatre Artistic Director. 

Balloonacy, features Paris trained mime and beautifully introduces children to theatre. Perfect for audiences of all ages, the one man show will kick off our Summer Season of shows celebrating courage: the courage to play, the courage to reach for the stars, and the courage to answer the call to save the world. 

Erica Murphy plays the Clown.

In this inventive wordless comedy, a clown celebrates his birthday alone. The solitary party is interrupted when a round, red, uninvited guest floats in, reappearing in all kinds of unexpected places. With clowning and mime, this play explores the power of friendship showing how, with a little imagination and acceptance, companionship is everywhere. Balloonacy proves once and for all that it is never too late to re-discover the incredible power of play.

We are ecstatic to have Erica Murphy starring in Balloonacy as the Clown and honored to have her talents on our stage. She has performed and worked with Portland Stage, Good Theater, Mad Horse Theatre Company, Fenix Theatre Company, Ziggurat Theater, Theater at Monmouth. She has performed in world premieres in Chicago and New York City. Erica is a certified Feldenkrais practitioner, a graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University and the Jacques Lecog International School of Theater in Paris. You can also catch Erica as a Play Assistant, bringing her imagination and enthusiasm to the exhibits. 

Balloonacy was adapted for the stage by Barry Kornhauser and produced by special arrangement with Plays for Young Audiences.

About Maddy’s Theatre: 

The state-of-the-art theatre was named “Maddy’s Theatre” by Madeleine Corson after her birth mother, with whom she shares her name. Alice Madeleine Gannett Gatchell passed away just eleven days into new motherhood. May the memory of her spirit live on in every performance in Maddy’s Theatre. We express our profound gratitude to Madeleine Corson whose foundational gift was inspired by her passion for the power of stories and how they make us think about how to solve things in our world.