Press
“Pure pleasure for everybody – a cultural must for children.” —The New York Times
“The Players have long been known for their simple yet genius kraft-paper sets, bright music, and ample crowd participation. An original treat.” —New York Magazine
“The Paper Bag Players have demonstrated a magical insight into what delights children (and tickles adults as well) with, amazingly, the simplest of materials.” — The New York Times
“To weld an audience of kids and grownups together with laughter at the same time you’re talking to all of them as individuals — not even Mary Poppins could do that.” — Dan Sullivan, Theatre Critic of the Los Angeles Times
“Keeping the “play” in plays for kids for nearly a half a century.” —Nick Jr.
“Uproariously funny and tenderly moving.” — The New York Times
Teachers and Principals
— Emily Neary, teacher at Grandview Elementary
“The Paper Bag Players are simply the most original child-oriented entertainment around. We love the audience participation; the children love seeing teachers involved in the song and dance. It’s truly an experience for us to share and laugh out loud together.” — Pre-K Teacher, PS 54
“Your imaginative use of ‘stuff’ to create your shows has inspired many class performances over the years. — Ruth Pace, Monarch Montessori Elementary
“Very simply, The Paper Bag Players ‘get’ children, their vision and their humor. I’ve never seen a theater do it better. Children as young as 4 keep their eyes glued to the stage, following the narrative. I am glad and proud that our school has the opportunity to experience real theater every year. We’re richer because of it. Theater strengthens creativity and collaboration. Such is the theater offered by The Paper Bag Players.” — James Lee, Principal of P.S. 20 on the Lower East Side
“Our class thanks you from the bottom of our hearts for your grand performance today. You inspired us, brought us so much joy, and made us laugh so hard. We loved the costumes, props, music, acting, and your cheerful spirit. Please know that behind each of those masks was a smile from ear to ear and you have given us memories to last a lifetime. Please continue to share your amazing talents and spread happiness. We look forward to seeing you again, and again, and again!” — P.S. 306 Brooklyn (in 2022, during height of COVID)
“Our students tend to be concrete thinkers, so exposure to PBP creativity provides important opportunities for expansion.” — Joan Hannes, Special Education teacher, ECLC
“The Paper Bag Players always bring a well-planned curriculum to the students that fosters their creative expression, confidence, leadership, social and collaboration skills, and acting/music abilities.” — Tiffany Rodriguez, After-School Program Coordinator, P.S. 20
“The painting skits are a favorite, especially for the youngest children and the ESL students. It supports them creatively, as well as with spatial reasoning and sequencing skills.” — Kindergarten Teacher, PS 75
“I have been bringing my students every year since I was introduced to your company more than 25 years ago. My greatest pleasure is watching my students’ reactions to the songs, the audience participation segments, and of course, the amazing props, costumes, scenery, music and puppets. I wish you many years of success and good fun as you travel to our country’s children who need The Paper Bag experience so desperately: good, clean, slap happy fun! I’m really looking forward to your future performances with my future students.” — Joanne Zipitas, teacher
“You are by far the best truly original theater organization, and I know how much work goes into each show. The value of live children’s entertainment is very understated. Your themes, educational value and professionalism have captivated my preschoolers for over 20 years. I sincerely hope that your theatre company can continue to offer creative, entertaining and educational performances to young children. — Debbie Propper Lesnoy, Helen Troum Nursery School and Kindergarten, NJ
Parents and Other Fans
“The Paper Bag Players is part of why I’m an actor today.” — Alysia Reiner (actor, Orange Is the New Black)
“My mom took us to the Paper Bag Players in the 60s. Still fond memories. Helped instill my lifelong love of live performance.”—Ray Reilly, a fan from NYC
“I am so happy to hear that in the smartphone era, their imaginative skits are still delighting audiences.”—Phillip, a fan from Australia
“Every child deserves a visit to the Paper Bag world! The skits are funny, clever, and joyful. To pitch perfect music they enact delightful problems and comical situations, and the exuberant responses of the children in the audience, who leap to their feet to offer the puzzled characters their help, doubles the hilarity of it all. At the end of a Paper Bag show it’s hard to tell who’s happier, the kids at the non-stop fun on stage or the parents and teachers at the smiles on the faces of the kids. One leaves each show with a vivid sense of one’s blessedness in being alive and in being part of a community of good feeling.” —Mitch Miller, retired professor
Kids
“Dear Paper Bag Players: I loved your art that you put in the show – it was beautiful. The art that you used was creative and you used it all out of paper bags and paper! I enjoyed your show so much, I started to make my own.” —second grader, P.S. 86
“Thank you, Paper Bag Players, for another show that made us laugh, dance, and celebrate our imaginations.” —2nd grader, P.S. 153