First Stage Announces Its 19th Season

Here's a long-delayed announcement - the next season for First Stage Theatre Company! (As always, I should mention that I'm the President of that non-profit children's theatre group).

Here's the press release that went out yesterday:

The First Stage Theatre Company has announced its lineup of performances for the Fall 2008 / Spring 2009 season, which marks the 19th season for the children's theater. Three shows will be staged: Peter Pan in Fall 2008 and A Year with Frog and Toad and Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business in Spring 2008.

Peter Pan will be staged at the Huntington High School theater on Oct. 31, Nov. 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9, 2008. The classic musical tells the story of the boy from Never-Neverland who refuses to grow up, and his adventures with Wendy, Michael, John and the Lost Boys, as they fight the evil Captain Hook and his band of pirates. The directing team includes director Mary Smirl and producer Elaine Young. Auditions will be held Aug. 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Aug. 17 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Pea Ridge United Methodist Church at 5747 E. Pea Ridge Road. Casting is available for young actors from kindergarten to seniors in High School. There are dozens of roles available, and there is no charge to audition.

A Year with Frog and Toad will be presented in March 2009. The Broadway hit musical is based on the famous children's books by Arnold Lobel. It was nominated for a 2003 Tony Award as Best Musical. Funny and uplifting, the family musical follows two great friends, the cheerful Frog and the grumpy Toad through four fun-filled seasons. The musical will be directed by Chuck Minsker and produced by Jeanette Rowsey, and auditions will be held in January 2009.

Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business will also be presented in March 2009. Based on the popular book by Barbara Park and Denise Brunkus, it tells the story of a strong-willed six-year-old girl who's dealing with a soon-to-arrive baby brother, and another problem - what will she bring for show-and-tell? The play will be directed by Amy Browning and produced by Jeanette Bills, and auditions will be held in January 2009.

The First Stage Theatre Company is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing an educational, developmental experience for young people through the performing arts.