First Stage brings “Miss Nelson” to Children’s Hospital

As part of a long-term partnership since 1995, each year First Stage Children’s Theater brings a portion of one of its productions to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, in efforts to provide an enriching experience for children at the hospital who otherwise would not have the opportunity to attend a First Stage performance.

On Wednesday, First Stage performed select musical numbers from their current show, Miss Nelson is Missing – a musical adaptation of the children’s book of the same name by Harry Allard and James Marshall for patients currently at Children’s Hospital. The story teaches what it is to appreciate others to children ages 4 and up. Filled with fanfare and childish play, the act was enjoyed by the children, with tittering in the audience – especially when the unruly schoolchildren made a joke at Miss Nelson’s expense by drawing a funny-looking portrait of her on the white board. Those in the audience were particularly rapt during the solos of the child-actors.

The performance was held for young patients who were able to attend, and also broadcast on closed-circuit television for young patients who were not able to leave their rooms.