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Coventry, Ohio —
As part of its Young Actor Series, the Weathervane Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Lane in Akron, is opening its season with a production of “Annie,” which runs through Aug. 12.
With a cast of 34 students ranging in age from 7 to 22 from throughout northeast Ohio, the musical is based on a Depression-era, comic-strip orphan in search of her parents. Also featured are two dogs from the pet- therapy program at Akron Children's Hospital that alternate in the role of Annie's pet, “Sandy.”
“They love it,” Sarah Bailey, the show's director, said of the student cast-members.
“They've been so positive. It's really a terrific production,” Bailey, who also is the education outreach coordinator for the Weathervane Playhouse, said.
Scheduled performances of “Annie” include: 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 29, Aug. 5 and Aug. 12; 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 31 and Aug. 7; 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 1 and 8; 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 2 and 9; 7:30 p.m. on Fri., Aug. 3 and 10; and, 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4 and 11.
Admission is $15 for adults and $12 for children, age 17 or younger.
The all-volunteer cast and crew of “Annie” began rehearsal for the production in May.
“They’ve been here pretty much non-stop for eight weeks,” Bailey said.
“They commit a large amount of time to be here, and form these friendships that last forever,” she added.
New to the Weathervane Playhouse with this production is the option to reserve seating for children’s birthday parties, at a cost of $125 for a group of 20 or fewer, with admission to the same-day performance requiring additional fees at a discounted rate of $5 per person. Birthday parties, which include two-hour acting classes with a theater instructor prior to “Annie” productions, backstage tours and other activities, begin at 10 a.m. on weekdays and 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
With booking available on a first-come, first-served basis, seating for individual birthday parties is limited and reservations are required by calling 330-836-2626 or going online to www.weathervaneplayhouse.com.
“We do have a couple of day-time performances that are already sold out, so they definitely have to check with us,” Bailey said.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Weathervane Playhouse ticket office at 330-836-2626 or go online to www.weathervaneplayhouse.com.
Fairytale fun at library
On Aug. 1, the Stark County District Library will host two free events for young readers at its Plain Community Branch, 1803 Schneider St., N.E., in Canton.
As part of its Young Actor Series, the Weathervane Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Lane in Akron, is opening its season with a production of “Annie,” which runs through Aug. 12.
With a cast of 34 students ranging in age from 7 to 22 from throughout northeast Ohio, the musical is based on a Depression-era, comic-strip orphan in search of her parents. Also featured are two dogs from the pet- therapy program at Akron Children's Hospital that alternate in the role of Annie's pet, “Sandy.”
“They love it,” Sarah Bailey, the show's director, said of the student cast-members.
“They've been so positive. It's really a terrific production,” Bailey, who also is the education outreach coordinator for the Weathervane Playhouse, said.
Scheduled performances of “Annie” include: 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 29, Aug. 5 and Aug. 12; 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 31 and Aug. 7; 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 1 and 8; 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 2 and 9; 7:30 p.m. on Fri., Aug. 3 and 10; and, 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4 and 11.
Admission is $15 for adults and $12 for children, age 17 or younger.
The all-volunteer cast and crew of “Annie” began rehearsal for the production in May.
“They’ve been here pretty much non-stop for eight weeks,” Bailey said.
“They commit a large amount of time to be here, and form these friendships that last forever,” she added.
New to the Weathervane Playhouse with this production is the option to reserve seating for children’s birthday parties, at a cost of $125 for a group of 20 or fewer, with admission to the same-day performance requiring additional fees at a discounted rate of $5 per person. Birthday parties, which include two-hour acting classes with a theater instructor prior to “Annie” productions, backstage tours and other activities, begin at 10 a.m. on weekdays and 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
With booking available on a first-come, first-served basis, seating for individual birthday parties is limited and reservations are required by calling 330-836-2626 or going online to www.weathervaneplayhouse.com.
“We do have a couple of day-time performances that are already sold out, so they definitely have to check with us,” Bailey said.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Weathervane Playhouse ticket office at 330-836-2626 or go online to www.weathervaneplayhouse.com.
Fairytale fun at library
On Aug. 1, the Stark County District Library will host two free events for young readers at its Plain Community Branch, 1803 Schneider St., N.E., in Canton.
At 2 p.m., family members can bring children of all ages for “Fairy Tale Dreamers and Tie Dye Magic.”
“Some fairy-tale characters, such as Snow White or Goldilocks, will make a brief appearance and tell them a little story from their character's perspective,” branch manager Megan Johnson said.
By bringing their own T-shirts or night shirts, children can participate in a simple tie-dye activity.
Older children can also write their own adventure as they wait for their shirts to dry, Johnson said.
At 6:30 p.m., the Plain Community Branch Library will continue the theme with, “Frantic Frogs & Fairy Tale Folk.”
Presented by Once Upon a Puppet Players, comprising volunteers from the Stark County District Library, the puppet show is part of the, “Dream Big! READ,” summer reading program.
Registration for both events is requested by calling the Plain Community Branch of the Stark County District Library at 330-494-3399 or going online to www.starklibrary.org.
