Kids at Play set for Sunday Gala

Catherine Rinehart can recall with fondness the time she spent as a child, participating in the Kids at Play children’s theater program in Avalon.

For the past 20 years, the Island city’s hometown impresario, Sean Brannock (Mr. Sean) has been writing, directing and producing theater starring local youths.

“I hope my legacy will be the amazing individuals whom I helped to build their character,” he said. “My life is better because of all the people who are and have been in Kids at Play.”

Catherine Rinehart can recall with fondness the time she spent as a child, participating in the Kids at Play children’s theater program in Avalon.

For the past 20 years, the Island city’s hometown impresario, Sean Brannock (Mr. Sean) has been writing, directing and producing theater starring local youths.

“I hope my legacy will be the amazing individuals whom I helped to build their character,” he said. “My life is better because of all the people who are and have been in Kids at Play.”

Rinehart would agree. Once a regular Kids at Play performer, her daughter Rebecca Peguero is now in the program. In fact, mother and daughter will perform together in the 20th Anniversary Kids at Play show this Sunday, Aug. 11, the World Famous Casino Theater. It will host a live performance by the Kids at Play Players.  The show will star both current students and alumni.  

“I actually have three current kids whose parents were Kids at Play players,” Brannock said. “They will all be part of Sunday’s performance. Kids at Play has seen hundreds of students pass through its doors – the doors of Tremont Hall, that is.”

Sunday’s live performance will be a reflection of the group’s accomplishments, reminding patrons of their humor and showing how important the arts are to one’s self-esteem and being.  

“The KAP Players are pulling out all the stops and will prove to not only be extremely entertaining, but very touching as well,” Brannock said. “These children (and now some adults) will show their community pride by honoring this great program and their director. This truly will be the event of the summer.”

Brannock said guests would feel like celebrities themselves as they walk the red carpet to enter the theater.  The red carpet arrival is between 2 and 3 p.m.  The theater’s foyer will be lined with displays, remembrances and mementos of the group’s history.  

The curtain will rise at 3:30 p.m. and will be filled with surprises Brannock promises.  

Tickets for the Gala are $20 for adults and $10 for students. Brannock said contributions will be making the difference in the life of a child.  There are tickets in the Post Office Arcade, as well as for purchase at the door, the day of the event. For additional information call Sean Brannock at (310) 595-6714 or Elizabeth Wenger at (310) 510-1745.