MISSOULA CHILDREN’S THEATRE

Is coming back to The Paramount Theater this summer for TWO weeklong residencies! Pre-registration is required and will begin April 1. Registration forms will be available mid-March.

Open to youth (rising 1^st grade – 12^th grade).

Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) is a world renowned children’s theatre company based in Missoula, Montana, and has been touring for more than 30 years. A team of two professional tour actor/directors will arrive in Charlottesville with scenery, costumes, props, make-up and basic lighting – everything it takes to put on a play….except the cast. The residency begins with an audition. 50-60 students, grades 1-12 are cast and well rehearsed throughout the week, learning lines, songs and choreography that will culminate into an original, musical production. For more information about MCT, go to: http://www.mctinc.org/.

For more information about the summer residencies at The Paramount, please visit www.theparamount.net or contact Cathy von Storch at 434-979-1992, ext. 100 or email catherinevonstorch@theparamount.net

Residency Week 6/18 – 6/23, 2012 – The Frog Prince

Deep in the royal swamp, a lonely Frog retrieves a golden ball for Princess Prim in exchange for friendship and comfort. The spoiled princess doesn’t want to live up to her part of the bargain, and puts her royal Knights on alert. And so the trouble begins. Luckily, Frog gets some good advice from Ollie the wise old Aspen tree, the well-read Alligator, and the kindly Swamp Things. The Ducks, a busy Fly and dancing Flamingos also come to Frog’s assistance as the Frog’s kindly servant tirelessly tries to set things right. Even the Queen, kindly Princess Proper, and spunky Princess Peppy get involved and, despite the trouble caused by the nasty Venus Fly Traps, all ends happily. Our hero becomes a Prince (formerly known as Frog) and realizes that friendships are made, not bought—and he discovers that it is not what you are but who you are that counts.

• Auditions:  Monday 6/18, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Rehearsals: Monday 6/18 – Friday 6/22, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• Public Performances: Saturday 6/23, 2 p.m. & 5 p.m. (Dress rehearsal begins at 10 a.m.)

Residency Week 6/25 – 6/30, 2012 – Hansel and Gretel

Times are tough for modern-day Hank and Gretchen, ‘til they find themselves deep in the wondrous Wildwood world of Hansel and Gretel. The Missoula Children’s Theatre proudly presents an original musical adaptation of the Brothers’ Grimm age-old tale of a journey, a secret and a grand adventure. Poor Hank and Gretchen! All of their friends, off to summer camp, have left them behind. And their Mom, struggling alone to make ends meet, seems to have time for nothing but work. While waiting for dinner, prepared by eccentric but lovable Uncle Wally, Hank and Gretchen fall asleep and dream their way to times gone by. They wake with a start! Their clothes are so strange – and so are their names. Lost in the deep dark woods, Hansel and Gretel search for the path which will lead them to better times at home. But as evening approaches and the moon rises above the trees, Hansel and Gretel are not alone! Nasty Nasties dart from tree to tree as sweet little Wallybirds innocently munch on the cookie crumbs left as a map on the forest floor. Crafty cooks and Gingerbread Men lead our heroes to a colorful cottage concocted completely of candy and cakes, where Hansel and Gretel unravel the secret of the Wildwood Witch:

Is she bad?

Or is she good?

Is she wicked…

Or misunderstood?

There’s music and laughter and thrills and chills. So join the fun as Hansel and Gretel’s dream is mysteriously blended with real life, and the lessons of one apply to the other. You’ll learn the secret of the Wildwood — but, shhh — don’t tell!

• Auditions: Monday 6/25, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Rehearsals: Monday 6/25 – Friday 6/29, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• Public Performances: Saturday 6/30, 2 p.m. & 5 p.m. (Dress rehearsal begins at 10 a.m.)

Questions, please call Cathy von Storch at 434-979-1922, ext. 100 or e-mail catherinevonstorch@theparamount.net.