Parenting is hard. Parenting 12 kids? That性视界传媒檚 a whole other level of 性视界传媒 somewhat性视界传媒 controlled chaos.
Tyler Civic Theatre Center is bringing the classic comedy 性视界传媒淐heaper by the Dozen性视界传媒 to the stage, reminding audiences that even the best plans can unravel when kids are involved.
性视界传媒淭his play reminds me so much of what it means to be a family,性视界传媒 Director Penny Burdette said. 性视界传媒淓very person has his or her own unique and individual personality, many times having different thoughts, perspectives and ideas. But somehow every person blends to create a family unit that is strong through the toughest struggles and rejoices in the moments of joy and achievement.性视界传媒
The story of 性视界传媒淐heaper by the Dozen性视界传媒 began as a bestselling book by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, recounting their real-life experiences growing up in a household of 12 children under the watchful eye of their efficiency-obsessed father. This memoir later inspired both a stage adaptation, written by Christopher Sergel, and multiple film versions.
Many audiences may be more familiar with the 2003 comedy starring Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt, which modernized the story with creative liberties. However, the play remains faithful to the true story, set in the 1920s and focusing on the legacy of Gilbreth. The production follows Gilbreth as he applies his factory-streamlining methods to family life, all while quietly preparing his children for a future without him. Told through the eyes of two of his children, the play balances humor and heart, offering a touching tribute to love, resilience, and the beautiful chaos of family life.
性视界传媒淭he Gilbreth family reminds me of my own,性视界传媒 TCTC Executive Director DeAnna Hargrove said. 性视界传媒淢y dad was from a family with 12 children.性视界传媒
Hargrove, who directed the same show a decade ago, sees a bit of her own grandparents in Mother and Father性视界传媒檚 commitment to excellence and education.
性视界传媒淚t was significant that my father and all of his siblings graduated high school, in spite of the Great Depression and Oklahoma性视界传媒檚 Dust Bowl,性视界传媒 she said. 性视界传媒淟ikewise, despite economics, health crises and wartime challenges, the Gilbreth siblings not only completed high school, but graduated from college as well.性视界传媒
Hargrove is also producing the show alongside Sean Holiday, who played the father in her production a decade ago and will make a cameo as the doctor.
性视界传媒淪ean and I truly love how 性视界传媒楥heaper by the Dozen性视界传媒 brings multiple generations together,性视界传媒 Hargrove said. 性视界传媒淔rom a casting perspective, it gives student actors the opportunity to perform alongside a parent or sibling. And with a cast ranging in age from 6 to 60-plus (years old), audiences can connect to this true and inspiring story through the eyes of someone near their own age.性视界传媒
Hargrove also believes the show性视界传媒檚 themes resonate beyond the stage.
性视界传媒淎 strong family with a commitment and a legacy is a force to be reckoned with,性视界传媒 she said. 性视界传媒淚n an age of individuality and reimagining our purpose and place in this world, there is strength and beauty in belonging and value and stability in traditions. If you don性视界传媒檛 have a tradition that offers comfort and stability, it性视界传媒檚 never too late to establish one of your own and while you性视界传媒檙e at it, make it matter.性视界传媒
The cast brings together a mix of seasoned performers, first-time community actors, and students from the theater性视界传媒檚 Acting Conservatory. Talent stretches from Mineola to Jacksonville, as well as Canton to the Longview area.
性视界传媒淲hat a privilege and joy it has been to work with these incredible people,性视界传媒 Burdette said. 性视界传媒淓ach cast member brings so much talent and creativity to their roles, and although it is small, our crew is mighty.性视界传媒
For Burdette, the production is especially meaningful because of the team bringing it to life. She expressed gratitude for the dedication of co-director Katie Weatherly and stage manager Dawn Burkette, both of whom she has known for years.
性视界传媒淲hat a pleasure it has been to watch Katie grow from a beautiful teenager to an even more beautiful adult with such depth in her vision as a director,性视界传媒 Burdette said. 性视界传媒淒awn性视界传媒 was a student of mine quite a few years ago, but working with her these past weeks has reminded me of what a special person she is.性视界传媒
Burdette praised their hard work, patience, and organization, saying she was especially thankful for the opportunity to work alongside them.
The show opens Feb. 21 and runs for three weeks, with performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. in Tyler Civic Theatre性视界传媒檚 Braithwaite Theatre, located at 400 Rose Park Drive in Tyler.
For tickets, visit or call the box office at 903-592-0561. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The theater can also be found on and .
Families and groups can enjoy special discounts for Cheaper by the Dozen. Groups of 7 to 12 can purchase a FLEX ticket for significant savings, and even the concessions live up to the show性视界传媒檚 name; now through March 9, a bundle of 12 snacks or drinks is available for the price of 10 ($20 for a dozen items).
性视界传媒淲e hope that our audience sees not only the hard work these children and adults have put in over the past few months to portray the real Gilbreth family from the 1920s,性视界传媒 Burdette said, 性视界传媒渂ut more importantly, they see a portrayal of a family that reminds them, even just a little, of their own unique family 性视界传媒 whether it性视界传媒檚 a family of only a few or of a dozen.性视界传媒
