"Garfield" to Open OCTC's Summer Children's Series

The Greater Ocean City Theatre Company is about to embark on a summer season full of creativity, imagination, fun, and interactive storytelling with its 2024 Summer Children Theatre Series. Tuesdays at the Ocean City Music Pier will feature five fully staged family musicals at 10:30 a.m. from July 2 through July 30. Opening the season is "Garfield." Garfield, a chubby and sarcastic tabby cat, fantasizes about having the most amazing birthday in the history of birthdays. He deserves it for being the best cat ever. Unfortunately, all of his friends -- Arlene, Odie, Jon, and even his nemesis, Nermal -- seem to have forgotten. Feeling rejected, Garfield ventures out to find excitement but soon realizes that home is where the heart (and the food) is. This comic strip, cartoon, movie, and now musical will bring the young and young at heart together at the Ocean City Music Pier for a memorable summer experience on Tuesday, July 2 at 10:30. The business sponsor for this production is JiLLy's Stores. Garfield is based on the comic strip by Jim Davis and features a book by Michael J. Bobbitt and Jim Davis, as well as music and lyrics by John L. Cornel. This production is presented through special agreement with Concord Theatricals. All tickets are $11 in advance and $13 on the day of the show. To purchase tickets, visit oceancitytheatrecompany.com. Tickets will also be on sale in person at OCTC, 1501 West Avenue on Saturdays at 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m. until noon. Tickets may be purchased at the Music Pier starting 45 minutes prior to curtain on show days. The 2024 Children's Theatre Series will continue with:  JULY 9 – Charlotte's Web (musical) is based on E.B. White's loving story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray spider named Charlotte. Wilbur has a problem: how to avoid winding up as pork chops! Charlotte, a fine writer and true friend, hits on a plan to fool Farmer Zuckerman. She will create a "miracle." Spinning the words "Some Pig" in her web, Charlotte weaves a solution which not only makes Wilbur a prize pig but also ensures his place on the farm forever. JULY 16 – Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus is based on the award-winning children's book, audiences can now hop on board for an unforgettable ride. With a script written by Mo Willems, the creator of the No. New York Times best-selling, Caldecott Honor award-winning "Pigeon" picture books, and featuring music by Deborah Wicks La Puma. JULY 23 – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Seven dwarfs, a beautiful girl, a jealous queen, a magic mirror, and a poisoned apple create a diabolical combination in this musical adaptation of the classic Grimm fairy tale. JULY 30th – The Perfect Dog: Inspired by the New York Times best-selling author John O'Hurley's book The Perfect Dog, Sam, a12-year-old perfectionist, searches for a flawless dog to enter in the town's dog contest. Unable to find a canine that measures up, Sam must resort to training the family dog, Max, who is less than eager to obey commands. Funding for OCTC has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Cape May County Board of County Commissioners through the Cape May County Division of Culture & Heritage. OCTC also thanks the city of Ocean City for supporting live, family-friendly entertainment and welcoming the 2024 Children's Series lineup back to the Ocean City Music Pier.