Lyric Theatre In Downtown Stuart

Few children’s stories have enchanted so many generations as A.A. Milne’s “Winnie-the-Pooh.” A British writer who lived in the early part of the 20th Century, Milne named his title character — called Pooh or Pooh Bear by his friends — after a stuffed toy cherished by his own son, Christopher Robin Milne.

In the stories, a boy (called Christopher Robin) has many magical adventures with the slow-witted but sweet Pooh, along with animal pals Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, Owl, Rabbit, Kanga and Roo. The stories — sometimes nonsensical to adult ears, but pure enchantment to youngsters — take place in the Hundred Acre Wood. This was based on Ashdown Forest, near the Milne family home in East Sussex, England. Since 1966, Pooh and friends have been part of the Disney animation family, and have starred in dozens of movie shorts and TV shows. And they all come to magical life on the Lyric stage. “Attending a live theatrical production is one of the most motivating and fulfilling experiences a child can have,” says executive director John Loesser. “If you love theater, chances are you’ll never forget the first time you saw a live theatrical performance.”