Metro Theater Company recently hosted the Ladybug Picnic—a whimsical, spring fundraiser that celebrated Metro Theater Company’s return to live performances after a year of digital programming, while raising funds to further grow its impact. The fundraiser was originally planned as a small-scale outdoor event to respect social distancing guidelines, and was moved indoors due to inclement weather.

Metro Theater Company is founded on a mission of respect for young people and on a belief in the power of live theater to transform their lives. The theme and timing of the spring fundraiser was in conjunction with Metro Theater Company’s presentation of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show / La Oruga Muy Hambrienta Espectáculo. The Drama Desk nominated production, created by Jonathan Rockefeller, brings Eric Carle’s beautifully imaginative stories to life. It has been performed more than 2,000 times worldwide. Metro Theater Company presented the global sensation April 25 - May 24 (which included an extended run due to popular demand) as an English-Spanish bilingual production with an all-St. Louis cast on an outdoor stage on the lawn at the brand new Kirkwood Performing Arts Center.

The early Sunday evening event featured a three-course upscale picnic dinner, with each table seated 6 feet away from other guests, live music, and a live auction. Some of the 75 puppets from The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show / La Oruga Muy Hambrienta Espectáculo appeared throughout the evening with table visits and mini performances. The fundraiser also included a short puppet-making activity, a special behind-the-scenes look at how the puppets bring Eric Carle's beloved stories to life, and the opportunity for guests to take photos with the larger-than-life puppets.

The host committee of the Ladybug Picnic included Rosalind Early, Nancy & Tom Garvey, Ed & Susan Grooms, Jane and Ken Jones, Marcia Kerz, Ellen Livingston and Edward Levitt, Suzie Nall, Margaret O’Brien, and Amber & Kenneth Simpson.

Beverages for Ladybug Picnic were generously sponsored by Edelbrand Pure Distilling, Spirits of St. Louis, Square One Brewery, Stone Hill Winery, and Wellbeing Brewing, Co. Additional in-kind support for Ladybug Picnic was provided by Edelbrand Pure Distilling, Ellen Livingston and Edward Levitt, Les Bourgeois Vineyard, Switchgrass Spirits, Urban Chestnut Brewing Company, and an anonymous donor. Piano courtesy of the Fred M. Hemp Foundation.

For more information on Metro Theater Company, please visit https://www.metroplays.org.