Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical – How to Turn a Theatre Trip into a Reading Adventure for Kids

As parents and educators know, encouraging kids to engage with books beyond the classroom is key to building lifelong readers. And when a beloved book series is brought to life in popular culture—whether through a movie or musical—it becomes even more exciting! At Teachers on Call, many of our elementary and secondary tutors are drama and English teachers, making our team passionate advocates for educational theatre. If you’re looking for a fun and enriching way to nurture your child’s love of reading, here’s one to mark on the calendar: Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical is coming to Toronto! Recommended for ages 5 and up, this stage adaptation of the graphic novel series by award-winning author Dav Pilkey—best known for Captain Underpants and its spin-off graphic novel series Dog Man—is an action-packed, heartwarming show that brings books to life through music, humour, and creativity. Don’t miss this chance to turn a theatre trip into a reading adventure your child won’t forget, brought to the stage by Mirvish Productions.

Hot on the heels of last spring’s Dog Man: The Musical, Mirvish is bringing another beloved Scholastic series to the stage. Teachers on Call’s tutors—who are also passionate elementary and secondary teachers—are especially excited to see Cat Kid Comic Club come to life. It brings together “two of our favourite things”—reading and theatre! Running for a limited engagement from April 12 – May 4, 2025, the show will be performed at the CAA Theatre, located in downtown Toronto. With a running time of just 66 minutes (no intermission), it’s the perfect outing for young theatregoers and budding book lovers. We encourage families and school groups to book early—this show promises to be a hit with kids, parents, and educators.

CKCC Photos by Jeremy Daniel 

Show Dates, Times, and Details

📍 CAA Theatre (formerly the Panasonic Theatre)
651 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4Y 1Z9
Major intersection: Yonge & Bloor, just south of Bloor Street
🎟 More Info & Tickets

🗓 Show Run: April 12 – May 4, 2025
⏱ Running Time: 66 minutes (no intermission)
👧 Recommended Ages: 5+

April 12 – 20

• Saturday, April 12: 3PM & 7PM
• Sunday, April 13: 11AM, 2PM & 5PM
• Thursday, April 17: 7PM
• Friday, April 18 (Added Performance): 1PM
• Saturday, April 19: 11AM, 3PM & 7PM
• Sunday, April 20: 1PM

April 23 – 27

• Thursday, April 24: 7PM
• Friday, April 25: 7PM
• Saturday, April 26: 11AM, 3PM & 7PM
• Sunday, April 27: 1PM & 5PM

April 30 – May 4

• Wednesday, April 30: 10:30AM*
• Thursday, May 1: 10:30AM* & 7PM
• Friday, May 2: 7PM
• Saturday, May 3: 11AM, 3PM & 7PM
• Sunday, May 4: 1PM & 5PM

*School Group Performances

🎟 CAA Member Bonus: Save 20% on Price 1 and 2 tickets for Thursday–Sunday evening performances (offer not valid for Saturday and Sunday matinees, Premium, and Price 3 seating). CAA members can receive complimentary coffee and coat check service by presenting their valid membership card. 

🎓 $19 School Group Pricing: Available for select performances, making it an affordable and enriching field trip option for educators looking to bring literacy to life through the arts. Mirvish also offers enrichment resources for educators to extend the experience back to the classroom through pre- and post-show learning.

A Historic Theatre with a Focus on Future Learning

The CAA Theatre has a rich history rooted in education and transformation. Originally a private residence built in 1911, the site has been home to motion picture cinemas (starting in 1919 with The Victory) and live theatres (since 1993 as The New Yorker Theatre). In 2005, it was completely rebuilt into a 700-seat, state-of-the-art performance space—retaining only its original façade. Acquired by Mirvish Productions in 2008, it was renamed the CAA Theatre in 2018 through a partnership with CAA. Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, this venue is an ideal space for young theatregoers to be introduced to the performing arts while connecting back to books and classroom learning.

About the Show—and the Books That Inspired It

Cat Kid Comic Club is a laugh-out-loud graphic novel series that follows Li’l Petey, Flippy, and Molly as they help a lively group of baby frogs discover their creativity through comic-making. As a graphic novel, it’s part of a genre widely recognized for sparking a love of reading—especially among reluctant readers—thanks to its engaging visuals, approachable text, and accessible storytelling format. With themes of resilience, teamwork, and the joy of self-expression, the Cat Kid Comic Club books are a hit with students, families, and educators alike. The series is comprised of five books and is also available in French—up to book four at the moment—making it a great option for students in Core, Extended, and French Immersion programs, recommended for readers ages 6 to 8.

Dav Pilkey, the creator of Captain Underpants, Dog Man, and Cat Kid Comic Club, was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia as a child and often struggled in school. Today, he credits these learning differences as his “superpowers” that help him connect with readers around the world.

The musical adaptation of Cat Kid Comic Club takes this spirit of creativity and transforms it into a lively production filled with catchy songs, clever dialogue, and beloved characters. It’s an imaginative launchpad to get children writing, drawing, and reading with confidence—whether they’re already avid readers or just beginning their journey.

🎭 Family-Friendly Checklist for Attending Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical

Heading to the theatre? Use this handy checklist to make the most of your experience—from booking your seats to inspiring creativity after the curtain falls!

✅ Before You Go

• Book your tickets
  Visit mirvish.com to purchase your seats. Don’t forget to apply your CAA discount if you're a member!
• Pick your showtime
  Review available dates and select a time that works best for your family—there are plenty of matinee and evening options to choose from.
  
• Plan your route
  The CAA Theatre is located at 651 Yonge Street, just south of Bloor in downtown Toronto. Consider transit options or nearby parking to arrive with ease. If you're taking the TTC, children aged 12 and under ride for free—making it an easy and cost-effective option for families.
• Bring your tickets
  Have your e-tickets or printed tickets ready to present upon arrival. Alternatively, download the Mirvish App to access your tickets through the Mirvish Digital Ticket Wallet.

🎒 What to Bring

• Your CAA card to access free coffee and coat check service.
• A refillable water bottle (note: outside food/drinks are not permitted in the theatre).
• A small notebook or sketchpad—your child may feel inspired to draw or create their own comic.
• A light sweater or hoodie (theatre temperatures can vary).
• Your favourite Cat Kid Comic Club or Dog Man graphic novel. A perfect photo opportunity to snap pictures in front of the theatre signage with the books.
• Comic-themed clothing to make the experience even more fun! 

🧠 Before the Show

• Introduce the story
  If your child is new to the series, consider buying or borrowing the Cat Kid Comic Club books from your local bookstore or library to get to know the characters—Li’l Petey, Flippy, Molly, and the baby frogs.
• Set expectations
  Let younger children know how theatre differs from movies or TV. They'll experience real actors, live music, and all the action happening right in front of them!
• Ask for booster seat at the theatre
  Seating in the theatre includes both adults and children. For smaller guests—anyone up to four feet tall—booster seats are available at the coat check on a first-come, first-served basis.

📚 After the Show

• Share favourite moments
  Ask your child what they loved most—was it a character, a song, or a funny scene?
• Explore further
  Visit Scholastic’s Planet Pilkey site for games, drawing prompts, and bonus content to create your own comics: Scholastic - Cat Kid Comic Club.
• Keep the creativity going
  Encourage your child to draw a comic strip or write a short story inspired by the show—just like the characters in the book!

Books, Music, and a Whole Lot of Fun

Whether you’re a student, parent, teacher, or book lover, Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical offers a unique opportunity to blend entertainment with literacy. It’s especially exciting for English teachers—and fans of our Hooked on Books series—who are always looking for creative ways to inspire young readers. With accessible school group pricing, enriching classroom resources, and the energy of a live theatre experience, this is more than just a show—it’s a celebration of storytelling, imagination, and learning through the arts. So, grab your tickets, cue the comics, and let the reading adventures begin—both on and off the stage.