STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

“It’s a favorite that is practically perfect in every way,” said Makena.

It involves a nanny in 1910 England who uses magic and common sense to teach a family how to value each other again, said Isla. And, a spoonful of sugar will help the message go down, said Lena.

If you guessed “Mary Poppins,” you’d better get in line for tickets because St. Thomas Playhouse will be presenting the ever-popular Disney’s “Mary Poppins Jr.” as part of its August Company B camp in 2026.

Sara Gorby, the executive director of St. Thomas Playhouse, holds the microphone as Nico Smith gives clues to “Six: The Musical,” which will be performed in 2026.

St. Thomas Playhouse unveiled its 2026 season before a crowd of youth and adults at its costume studio next to The Spot in Ketchum’s light industrial district Friday night.

And, judging by the reaction of the kids, who did an enormous amount of squealing, cheering and jumping up and down, it has a lot of crowd pleasers.

Of course, it could have been the hot chocolate bar with its accompanying sprinkles,  whipped cream and other condiments that might have fueled the kids’ enthusiasm. But the cheering started with the announcement of the Children’s Touring Theater of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” and ran clear through the Family Main Stage production--“School of Rock.”

“I know it’s tight accommodations, but such energy!” St. Thomas Playhouse Executive Director Sara Gorby told the audience.

Beau Kendall and other youngsters took their jobs building the most amazing hot cocoa drink ever seriously.

Kids availed themselves of a hot chocolate bar and homemade chocolate chip cookies, while adults indulged in Wilde Irish Gin cocktails, wine and beer, artichoke dip fruit kebobs and chocolate chip pumpkin bread.

And the young thespians in the crowd fidgeted as they waited to learn of the plays that awaited them.

So, here it is: The 2026 St. Thomas Playhouse Season:

CHILDREN’S TOURING THEATER—April 2026 at schools and other sites throughout the Wood River Valley

A couple of dads visited as they awaited the unveiling.

“Goldilocks and the Three Bears”

It is, young thespians told the audience, a classic tale set to engaging music about a headstrong girl who happens upon an empty cottage and makes herself at home—that is, until the three bears come home to the mess she has made. The story reminds us not to fiddle around with others’ belongings, the children said, and an environmental slant in this particular interpretation makes for a perfect children’s educational show.

COMPANY B, SESSION 1—June 8-19 at Sun Valley Community School

Dreamworks’ “Shrek the Musical Jr.”

Suzi and Adeline Zook were among those who gathered for the season unveiling.

This play features a “Big Bright Beautiful World” said Asher, with characters from all corner of the fairy tale universe. Chief among them is a big green character who must save his fairy tale friends from an evil lord who is after a princess trapped in a tower, said George. They become fast friends and, with the help of a wise-cracking donkey, they take on the lord in what is a musical about being yourself, inclusion, friendship and love.

SUMMER THEATER PROJECT for Teens and Young Adults—June 2-16 rehearsals followed by Jun 17-19 shows at Sun Valley Community School

“Six: The Musical”

This play, which revolves around the wives of a king who shaped the British Empire in the 16th century, won two Tony awards in 2022, said Ingrid .

These history queens take the stage with all the girl power their stories can conjure. And the combination of the political and religious with rock and roll and dance is pure entertainment said Niko Smith.

SPACC RESIDENTIAL CAMP at Camp Perkins near Smiley Creek—June 22-27

Summer Performing Conservatory Camp

COMPANY B, SESSION 1—Aug. 3-14 at Sun Valley Community School

“Disney’s Mary Poppins Jr.“

This story about a neat and tidy, somewhat vain and very extraordinary nanny with a cast of friends that includes a chimney sweep, bird woman and an owner of a magical talking shop has endeared itself to generations of children.

FAMILY MAIN STAGE for Children and Adults—Sept. 16-20 at Sun Valley Community School

“School of Rock: The Musical”

This won four Tony’s, including Best Musical, Book and Original Score, said Simone. It does, after all, contain 14 songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber, making it a rock musical you will not want to miss, said Tucker.

It’s based on the hilarious movie of the same name. It involves a wannabe rock star who takes his roommate’s place as a substitute teacher at a prep school where he turns a class of straight-A pupils into a guitar-shredding, bass slapping, mind-blowing rock band bent on making it to the Battle of the Bands without their parents finding out, said Kristen, Lala, Fred and Will Hemmings.

“2026—here we come!” said Gorby.

To learn more about the upcoming camps, or even the Company B Winterized Camp going on Dec. 26-30, go to  https://www.stthomasplayhouse.org/.