Paramount Hudson Valley in downtown Peekskill is staging a family show built so that nobody has to sit still. On Sunday, November 22, at 3 p.m., The Panto Company USA performs Cinderella as a sensory-friendly performance, with the theater adjusting sound, light and house rules for children and adults who find a standard show overwhelming.

What changes in a sensory-friendly show

The theater lists four changes for the afternoon:

  • Sound is kept lower, especially loud or sudden effects.
  • The house lights stay on at a low level for the whole performance instead of going dark.
  • Strobe effects and lights aimed at the audience are reduced.
  • Guests are free to talk and to leave their seats during the show.

Sensory-friendly performances are designed for audiences who find a standard show's sound and darkness hard to sit through, including many children with autism or sensory processing differences, and the relaxed rules also suit toddlers and first-time theatergoers.

The show

A panto is the family stage tradition built on a fairy tale, songs, audience participation and plenty of jokes for the grown-ups. The Panto Company USA's Cinderella follows that model with original modern songs and characters who talk back to the crowd, which suits a performance where the audience is allowed to make noise.

Tickets

The Paramount's ticket page lists discounted pricing for the performance: $28 for adults and $18 for children 12 and under, with the ticket type chosen from a drop-down at checkout. Tickets are held at Will Call rather than mailed. The performance is sponsored by NewYork-Presbyterian and Impact 100.

Before you go

The theater does not allow backpacks or large bags, and every guest goes through a bag check, which is worth knowing when packing comfort items or snacks; outside food and drink are not allowed. The box office, at 914-739-0039, opens at noon on show days.

Also on the Paramount's calendar

The same stretch of November brings Floydian Trip: The Pink Floyd Experience on Saturday, November 14, at 8 p.m., and comedian Anthony Rodia's Insanely Funny Tour on Friday and Saturday, November 20 and 21, at 7 p.m.

Getting there

Paramount Hudson Valley is at 1008 Brown Street in downtown Peekskill, a few minutes by car from the Peekskill station on Metro-North's Hudson Line and from Route 9.

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