Humor and heart will fill the Panida Theater over the next two weekends as Honey Pearl Productions brings “Cheaper by the Dozen” to the stage — a lively comedy about a real-life family of twelve children who are put through bizarre, yet oddly effective, lessons in systems and logic.   

Throughout the play, chaos and comfort echo throughout the theater as community members see a glimpse into the life of the Gilbreth household, run by Frank Gilbreth with industrial-level efficiency.  

The theatrical production adapts the 1948 book by Frank Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, who narrate a year of their life before the untimely death of their father. Their father, played by Ken Wood, is determined to save time through maximum productivity, applying unconventional methods to daily household chores in an effort to prepare his children for life.  

Embarrassed by their father’s eccentric ways, his family is forced to keep up with his evolving systems. In a classic power struggle between a father and his eldest teenage daughter, the play balances a comedic twist with the familiar reality that life moves more quickly than we expect. 

The two-hour play will be the second production for Honey Pearl Productions since its 2025 Easter production debut of ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.’  

“I chose ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ because I read the book as a kid and loved it. It's one of those books I never forgot,” Director Connie Kiehn said. “It felt like the right play to build off of ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'. It’s family-friendly as far as the audience goes and has roles for both children and adults.” 

Adults, children and dogs can be seen running across the stage as the 27-member cast aims to bring laughter and warmth to the audience. 

The performance will debut at the Panida Theater today, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. Additional performances will occur on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 1, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, Feb. 7, at 1 p.m.  

Tickets are $20 to $25, depending on seat location, and can be purchased at https://www.honeypearlproductions.com/cheaper-by-the-dozen.

Don’t worry — fingernail checks and double-digit multiplication won’t be required at the door.

    The Cheaper by the Dozen cast: Malakai Bever, Audrey McKinney, Ethan West, Lillian Maus, Ireland Egan, Ambree Smith, Amy Smith, Suzie Kiehn (baby), Oldinn Hale, Ken Wood, Robilyn Phillips, Ronan Byers and Eliana Aispuro.