Mechanics Hall presents The Worcester Organ Performance Series: Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid

Experience the Magic of Silent Film with Live Organ Accompaniment!

Known for his exceptional artistry in live film accompaniment, Mechanics Hall Principal Organist Peter Krasinski will bring Chaplin’s iconic silent comedy-drama to life on the famous Worcester Organ, in a thrilling display of live improvisation.

The Kid is a 1921 American silent comedy-drama film written, produced, directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin, and features Jackie Coogan as his foundling baby, adopted son and sidekick. A silent-era classic, it’s a heartwarming tale of resilience and love. Don’t miss this unforgettable blend of film and music!

About Charlie Chaplin’s, “The Kid”

This is Charlie Chaplin’s first full-length feature and has secured a solid place in the pantheon of cinematic masterpieces.

Chaplin’s most recognizable character, the Tramp, is portrayed to full effect in this photoplay from 1921. There is a common misconception that films from the silent era are somehow less relevant than those made more recently—but The Kid quickly dispels that notion.

Although known as a comedy that can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages, The Kid presents a deeply human story. A woman, after much internal struggle, decides to abandon her baby in the backseat of a car, leaving a handwritten note with the hope that the child will be cared for by the wealthy residents of a nearby home. She has no idea that, through a series of mishaps, the baby will instead be raised by a kind-hearted but simple tramp.

As the story unfolds, the film’s focus expands beyond just the child and his new guardian—it also introduces us to the child’s biological father. The plot becomes poignant, heart-rending, hilarious, and even absurd at times—but always remains profoundly human.

Also not to be missed is the way this film, now over 100 years old, captures an America rich in diversity, hope, energy, and tragedy. It remains a powerful reflection for our own time and invites thoughtful consideration.

I’ll let the film unfold for you, so we may all embark on this journey together. If I were to sum up this film in one sentence, it would be this: Dreams can tell us a great deal; they should be treasured and held onto—and when they are about love, they should always be pursued and hoped for.

All Ages Welcomed
Doors: 6:30pm | Show: 7:00pm
Accessible Seating will be available upon entry 

Admission
Mechanic Hall Members: FREE
Non-Members: Suggested Minimum Donation of $10

This event is part of the Card to Culture Program. Those EBT, WIC and ConnectorCare Cardholders are encouraged to attend with no expected donation

The Worcester Organ

The Worcester Organ Performance Series

Peter Krasinski | Mechanics Hall Principal Organist

Peter Krasinski, a prominent figure in the realm of silent movies and photoplay presentations, is widely recognized as the foremost advocate for improvised, live accompaniments for classic photoplays. Alongside his accomplishments as an esteemed cast member of the Academy Award-nominated motion picture, “The Holdovers,” vintage photoplays are central to his career. He has performed the art of live solo film accompaniment in prestigious venues worldwide, where he delivers unique improvised compositions created in real-time on auspicious instruments. He has captivated audiences across North America, Europe, and Asia and has made seven tours of Japan. A multiple prize-winner, he is the recipient of the First Prize in Improvisation from the American Guild of Organists National Competition.