1 starThe show was a disappointment. I was expecting a cheery positive musical. Content unacceptable regarding dinosaurs eating babies, stuff coming out butts and clouds of death.

I came to the theatre expecting the classical fairytale, but I was surprised with a tap dancing twist. Cinderella was a musical with lots of singing and tapping. The actors and actresses were extremely enthusiastic, the younger ones obviously a little unprofessional. I didn’t like the twist very much, but the quality of it was fairly well choreographed. Intermission served cookies and chips downstairs but no food is allowed in the actual theatre.

I used to work for the nation's largest children's theater and have attending theater for youth in cities throughout the country. I'm constantly impressed by the consistent quality of productions at Oregon Children's Theatre. Plays and musicals are always very well produced, with very good acting, music and staging, and their shows always have that little extra professional polish and heart that distinguishes average theater from good theater.OCT's productions range from what you would normally think of as children's theater to works for adolescents and young adults. They regularly present some of the best newer works for young audiences like How I Became a Pirate and A Year With Frog & Toad, and also some very good original works , such as recent adaptations of Lois Lowry's The Giver and Gathering Blue. Regardless of the play title, we like that the works they select entertain on two levels - both for children and for the adults accompanying them. We often have as good of a time as our kids.OCT's performances spaces at Portland's Newmark Theater and Winningstad Theater (both in the same downtown performing arts center) are perfect places for children and families to experience live theater. They're warm, welcoming, lots of restrooms, and parking and family dining close by. There's really not a bad seat in either theater and every seat is very close to the stage, so you and your kids will have a great experience.Ticket prices are quite affordable. We also love that the cast always comes out to the lobby in costume after shows so the kids really understand that they are real performers - not just a movie (You'd be amazed how many children believe live theater is a film, since that is all they have experienced in the past).Now, you don't have to take my word for OCT's quality. You can take my six-year-old's. When he had the option of picking many prizes for a recent contest at school - toys, games, and other great stuff - he picked the tickets for Oregon Children's Theatre. From the mouths of babes!

Our 3 grandchildren, ages 6, 8 and 11, along with our daughter and us, thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining, well-cast musical. The costuming was wonderful. When it ended, we all were still wishing for more!

We took our grandson (11) to a play and were pleased with his response. It was a great time to answer questions as well as observe his reactions. There are times when I remember his youth and am glad to have exposed him to an enjoyable part of life. You'll find the Oregon Children's Theater to be a great opportunity to 'plant a seed' in your child's brain. You'll also 'see' how your child's mind reacts and the questions the Theater provokes. It's a great way to strengthen the ties!