Plenty of reasons to go to a play

May 6—Parents know that kids can come up with reasons to put things off or not do something — and often those reasons border on the ridiculous.

For example, there are times I'll try to get my 11-year-old daughter to be active instead of staying in the house all day and the responses I'll frequently get are, "OK, but mommy wants me to do (some chore) first," or "I need to eat breakfast and brush my teeth," and even "Dad, I have to finish my homework and I can't concentrate with you in here," and on and on it goes.

Honestly, the things we parents put up with just to help our kids enjoy their childhood.

But adults often times are no better; we just think our excuses are grounded in better reasoning. Before the pandemic, there are lots of activities we told ourselves we would do and events we one day planned to attend. Then all those things were taken away from us and we vowed to make a change once things returned to "normal."

Now is your opportunity.

After more than a year of waiting, the Toledo Repertoire Theatre's Young Rep Production is putting on 30 Reasons Not To Be in a Play at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Rep, 16 10th St. in Toledo. The show is about a group of children and teens who come up with a list of humorous and zany reasons why kids should not participate in putting on a show — which include time commitments and being shy, pink eye, and world-ending (and embarrassing) scenarios.

It's ironic, of course, that the show is about kids NOT wanting to be in a show when the cast and director in real life have had to work through challenges just to put the show on after its 2020 dates were canceled. But through losing more than 60 percent of the cast due to time commitments (I guess they took that reason to heart) and working through the various health protocols, the show will go on.

And so, now that live theater is available to us, here are a few (but not anywhere close to 30) reasons why you should take the time to go see this play:

—You told yourself you would: Remember how bummed you were when everything was canceled and there was nothing to do? Well?! The time of doing nothing is over.

—You don't have to be near people: One good thing about coronavirus health restrictions is you don't have to share arm rests with people you don't know or have your view blocked by tall people (a hardship us short people must endure). Like the arts but don't like people? This is the activity for you.

—It's one of the safest activities around: Sure, going to the theater didn't do Abraham Lincoln any favors, but for general folks like you and me, sitting in a theater is one of the safest activities you can do, especially compared to all the things that can harm you while outdoors (though I'm sure outdoor theater productions are also safe, mostly).

—Great stories, and not just from the plot of the show: A lot of funny things can happen during live theater that make for memorable stories later. If you don't believe me, just ask an actor about a time when a show went wrong and you'll likely get an ear full. But whether you're an actor or an audience member, actually being there for when these funny things happen (lights go out, a dog runs across the stage for no reason, etc.) is an experience you won't get by staying at home and doing your homework (looking at you, daughter).

—Nice clean fun: There are plenty of enjoyable plays that have coarse language, but this is a kids show, so enjoy the break from worrying that the performance you brought your kids to entails swearing or innuendo that you can only hope goes over your little ones' heads.

—It's a great escape: Watching live performances allows you to get away from all those worries and stress that has been renting space in your head.

—It's inspiring: Taking your kids to a show where they see other children acting can light their creative spark. Maybe they'll want to become an actor too. Or maybe even write their own script. Who knows? Not you, if you never take your kids to the theater. Let that guilt flow through you.

—Theater forces you to live "in the moment": No pauses. No rewinds. You surrender yourself to real-time entertainment.

In-person tickets are $9.75-$11.75 and live-stream passes are $12. You can purchase these by going to toledorep.org

Upcoming shows:

—Lonely Planet: 8 p.m. May 14-15 and 2:30 p.m. May 16 at the Rep., 16 10th St. in Toledo.

—Talking With: 8 p.m. May 20-22 and 2 p.m. May 23 by the Black Swamp Players at the Ohio Theatre, 3112 Lagrange St. in Toledo.

—SHOUT! The Mod Musical: May 27-June 6 at the Ottawa Park Amphitheater, 2205 Kenwood Blvd., in Toledo.

—Accidentally Brave: June 18-20 by Actors Collaborative Toledo at the Ohio Theatre, 3114 Lagrange St., Toledo.

—HELLO, DOLLY!: June 24-27 at Perrysburg High School, 13385 Roachton Rd. in Perrysburg. The show is being put on by the Perrysburg Musical Theatre Company.

—Rock of Ages: 8 p.m. May 20-22 and 2 p.m. May 23 at the Maumee Indoor Theatre, 601 Conant St., Maumee. The show is being put on by 3B Productions.

—Toledo Ballet 2021 summer programs for dancers ages 4 and up. Toledo Ballet's summer offerings include a week-long Broadway dance intensive taught by professional dancers and master teachers from Broadway and three week-long ballet intensives for advanced and intermediate level students on ballet technique, pointe, variations, and choreography. Non-Toledo Ballet students must call 419-471-0049 or email Lisa Mayer-Lang, artistic director for Toledo Ballet at lmayer-lang@artstoledo.com to schedule a placement evaluation.

—Disenchanted: an outdoor production put on by the Croswell Opera House on July 9-18. Times and location are pending.

—Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: an outdoor production put on by the Croswell Opera House on Aug. 13-22. Times and location are pending.

—Something Rotten!: Sept. 10-11, Sept. 17-19, and Sept. 24-26 at the Ottawa Park Amphitheater.

—Something Rotten!: (time not provided) Oct. 8-17 at the Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian, Mich.

—Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Fallen Soufflé: Oct. 29-31, and Nov. 4-7 at the Rep.

—Anastasia: (times vary) Nov. 4 — Nov. 7 at the Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo.

—A Christmas Story: (time not provided) Nov. 26 — Dec. 12 at the Croswell Opera House.

—An Officer and a Gentleman: (times vary) Dec. 2 — 5 at the at the Stranahan Theater.

—A Christmas Carol: Dec. 2-5 and Dec. 9-12 at the Rep.

Jeff Schmucker writes about theater for The Blade. Send news of theater and comedy events at least two weeks in advance to theater@theblade.com.