THOMASVILLE- Thomasville Entertainment Foundation kicks off its 2023-24 family series on Saturday, September 30, with a free children’s play based on an award-winning young readers book.

Curtain time is 11 a.m. in the Thomasville Center for the Arts auditorium, and the performance lasts approximately 75 minutes.

Produced and performed by Atlanta’s Synchronicity Theatre, “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” tells the story of a child’s toy rabbit who gets lost, has traveling adventures over the years and, eventually, learns about the transformative power of love.

Based on Kate DiCamillo’s award-winning 2006 book and adapted by Dwayne Hartford, the play takes the audience on a magical journey, as Edward travels through the hands of a fisherman, a happy hobo and a sick child on his not-so-planned adventure to find his way home.

“We hope the community will come out and take advantage of a morning of free family fun,” said TEF President Linda Tarver. “This is a great opportunity for parents and grandparents to share a performance with their children and grandchildren, and while this play is geared primarily toward elementary children, it’s also appropriate and entertaining for all ages!”

Inaugurated during the 2016-17 season, TEF’s Family Series is a set of engaging performances specifically curated to appeal to children, youth, families and multi-generational audiences, at times and in settings that are more accessible to younger patrons, Tarver explained, and helps TEF in its mission to cultivate the future of the performing arts.

“And thanks to generous supporters, we’re able to offer this part of our programming free and open to the public, ensuring accessibility to quality performing arts experiences for all segments of the community,” she added.

A feast for the senses is next up for the TEF Family Series, as the Atlanta Chinese Dance Company shares China’s ancient culture through dance. Featuring traditional costumes and dancing with fans, ribbons and umbrellas, the colorful spectacle takes the stage on March 16.

The 2023-24 TEF Family Series concludes April 13, with an outdoor afternoon concert. Georgia trumpeter, vocalist and bandleader Joe Gransden brings his 16-piece big band to Thomasville, performing a program of popular music – think Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and the Great American Songbook – under the oaks at the Center for the Arts.

Presented in cooperation with the Thomasville Center for the Arts, TEF Family Series events are made possible by grants and gifts honoring the organization’s longtime artistic leader, Janice Faircloth, by the Parker Poe Charitable Trust, Emily and Bill Searcy Charitable Trust, Dr. and Mrs. Douglas C. McPherson, Diane Williams Parker and other friends of TEF.