Trolls the Musical Jr. Takes the Stage in Marshall October 22–25

Marshall's youngest performers are preparing for a colorful October outing at the Franke Center for the Arts. Trolls the Musical Jr. is scheduled for October 22 through 25, 2026, giving Battle Creek and Calhoun County families several opportunities to support a local youth production.

The Choose Marshall event listing gives evening performances at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, October 22 through 24. The Sunday, October 25, matinee is listed for 2:30 p.m. The theater is at 214 East Mansion Street in Marshall.

A stage for young local performers

The Franke Center's production page identifies this as its kindergarten-through-fifth-grade youth show. The page includes earlier audition information, but those August dates have passed. For readers planning an outing now, the relevant next step is choosing a performance and checking the current ticket options.

The musical draws on the DreamWorks Trolls world, placing its singing characters alongside the very different Bergens. In the stage story described by the theater, Poppy's company faces pressure to rework its performance when a demanding visitor arrives. Expect a story centered on a show within a show, with the young cast bringing that theatrical challenge to life.

For a family audience, youth theater offers a different kind of evening from watching a movie at home. The performers and audience share the same room, and every entrance, costume change and musical moment happens live. It can also be an opportunity for children who are curious about performing to see other young people onstage.

Choose the performance that fits

With both evening dates and a Sunday matinee listed, families can think about what works best with school nights, work schedules and younger children's routines. A matinee may suit one household while a Friday or Saturday outing makes more sense for another. Confirm the performance you select before completing a purchase.

Use the theater's own event page to follow its ticket link. Ticket prices, remaining seats, the show's running time and accessibility arrangements should be checked directly with the venue. Those details can affect the choice of seats and performance, especially when several households are attending together.

If you are turning the show into a larger Marshall outing, allow room in the schedule for parking and getting everyone seated. Check any restaurant or shop hours separately rather than assuming they will match the performance schedule. The practical goal is a relaxed arrival with time to enjoy the production.

You can compare other local activities through Choose Marshall's listing, then return to the Franke Center for the final show and ticket information.

Before booking for a child who is new to live theater, ask the box office about the running time and any guidance that could help you choose comfortably.

Questions you might have

Q: When are the performances?
October 22, 23 and 24 at 7 p.m., plus October 25 at 2:30 p.m., according to Choose Marshall.

Q: Who is performing?
This is the Franke Center Youth Theater's kindergarten-through-fifth-grade production.

Q: Where do I get tickets?
Follow the ticket link on the Franke Center's official production page and confirm pricing and availability there.