The final opportunity to see the performances of “Bedtime Stories” starring the students and staff of the Theatre School at the Centre for Performing ARTS is this weekend. Shows are Saturday, June 23 and Sunday, June 24 at 5:30pm in the main theatre room.
The students which comprise theatre school and the Literacy through the ARTS project, have been working feverishly for the last several months on the production which is based on an original script written by local author, Melissa Heald, winner of the 2011 PEI Literary Award. The story focuses on a youth named Peter who is obsessed with video gaming, and who has his techno privileges cut off because he refuses to clean his room, but more importantly, because he has not picked up a book to read in months. His mother, played by Ms Heald, is determined to re-acquaint the youngster with the merits and values of his literary collection, namely his favourite books, by taking away his DS for a period of time, long enough for him to reunite with his beloved characters once again.
Coming alive to the stage are characters, Ned Smalls, played by Chantal Hoekstra, Orphan Tom, portrayed by Halle Quinn, and Sally Quickdraw brought to life by Topanga MacLean. There is a host of other characters that the students bring to life such as Princess Penelope (Maddie Bedard Adam), Sir Timothy played by Alyssa Bedell, the Troll (Olivia Matheson), two narrators performed by Sophia Best, and Melanie Hoekstra, plus a plethora of other characters (party guests and pirates) made up by cast members, Annika Newsom, Georgia Lowery, Arielle MacKinnon, who play multiple roles in the production.
Tickets are on sale at the centre’s box office and at Serendipity Boutique, Down East Mall daily. General admission is $10 for ages 10 and older, and $5 for children up to age nine. Advance tickets are recommended. A 50-50 draw will take place at both shows with proceeds going to the theatrical outreach scholarship fund. Doors open at 5:15pm.
The Centre for Performing ARTS, located at 239 Valleyfield Road, is a non profit, Canadian registered charity dedicated to providing arts and culture to the communities down east. For more information call 838-ARTS (2787) or email peiarts@ymail.com