‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ hitting the stage at Tyler Civic Theatre Center

Published 11:50 am Thursday, February 13, 2025

Parenting is hard. Parenting 12 kids? That’s a whole other level of — somewhat— controlled chaos.

Tyler Civic Theatre Center is bringing the classic comedy “Cheaper by the Dozen” to the stage, reminding audiences that even the best plans can unravel when kids are involved.

“This play reminds me so much of what it means to be a family,” Director Penny Burdette said. “Every person has his or her own unique and individual personality, many times having different thoughts, perspectives and ideas. But somehow every person blends to create a family unit that is strong through the toughest struggles and rejoices in the moments of joy and achievement.”

The story of “Cheaper by the Dozen” began as a bestselling book by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, recounting their real-life experiences growing up in a household of 12 children under the watchful eye of their efficiency-obsessed father. This memoir later inspired both a stage adaptation, written by Christopher Sergel, and multiple film versions.

Many audiences may be more familiar with the 2003 comedy starring Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt, which modernized the story with creative liberties. However, the play remains faithful to the true story, set in the 1920s and focusing on the legacy of Gilbreth. The production follows Gilbreth as he applies his factory-streamlining methods to family life, all while quietly preparing his children for a future without him. Told through the eyes of two of his children, the play balances humor and heart, offering a touching tribute to love, resilience, and the beautiful chaos of family life.

“The Gilbreth family reminds me of my own,” TCTC Executive Director DeAnna Hargrove said. “My dad was from a family with 12 children.”

Hargrove, who directed the same show a decade ago, sees a bit of her own grandparents in Mother and Father’s commitment to excellence and education.

“It was significant that my father and all of his siblings graduated high school, in spite of the Great Depression and Oklahoma’s Dust Bowl,” she said. “Likewise, despite economics, health crises and wartime challenges, the Gilbreth siblings not only completed high school, but graduated from college as well.”

Hargrove is also producing the show alongside Sean Holiday, who played the father in her production a decade ago and will make a cameo as the doctor.

“Sean and I truly love how ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ brings multiple generations together,” Hargrove said. “From a casting perspective, it gives student actors the opportunity to perform alongside a parent or sibling. And with a cast ranging in age from 6 to 60-plus (years old), audiences can connect to this true and inspiring story through the eyes of someone near their own age.”

Hargrove also believes the show’s themes resonate beyond the stage.

“A strong family with a commitment and a legacy is a force to be reckoned with,” she said. “In an age of individuality and reimagining our purpose and place in this world, there is strength and beauty in belonging and value and stability in traditions. If you don’t have a tradition that offers comfort and stability, it’s never too late to establish one of your own and while you’re at it, make it matter.”

The cast brings together a mix of seasoned performers, first-time community actors, and students from the theater’s Acting Conservatory. Talent stretches from Mineola to Jacksonville, as well as Canton to the Longview area.

“What a privilege and joy it has been to work with these incredible people,” Burdette said. “Each cast member brings so much talent and creativity to their roles, and although it is small, our crew is mighty.”

For Burdette, the production is especially meaningful because of the team bringing it to life. She expressed gratitude for the dedication of co-director Katie Weatherly and stage manager Dawn Burkette, both of whom she has known for years.

“What a pleasure it has been to watch Katie grow from a beautiful teenager to an even more beautiful adult with such depth in her vision as a director,” Burdette said. “Dawn… was a student of mine quite a few years ago, but working with her these past weeks has reminded me of what a special person she is.”

Burdette praised their hard work, patience, and organization, saying she was especially thankful for the opportunity to work alongside them.

The show opens Feb. 21 and runs for three weeks, with performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. in Tyler Civic Theatre’s Braithwaite Theatre, located at 400 Rose Park Drive in Tyler.

For tickets, visit www.TylerCivicTheatre.com or call the box office at 903-592-0561. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The theater can also be found on Facebook and Instagram.

Families and groups can enjoy special discounts for Cheaper by the Dozen. Groups of 7 to 12 can purchase a FLEX ticket for significant savings, and even the concessions live up to the show’s name; now through March 9, a bundle of 12 snacks or drinks is available for the price of 10 ($20 for a dozen items).

“We hope that our audience sees not only the hard work these children and adults have put in over the past few months to portray the real Gilbreth family from the 1920s,” Burdette said, “but more importantly, they see a portrayal of a family that reminds them, even just a little, of their own unique family — whether it’s a family of only a few or of a dozen.”