CULLMAN, Ala. – Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT), which has put on locally-cast shows in Cullman for more than 20 years through a partnership with Cullman Parks, Recreation and Sports Tourism (CPRST), returns later this month with its musical production of “Sleeping Beauty.”
In its adaptation, according to MCT, “A new princess is born, and from far and wide the people of the kingdom gather to celebrate. One simple mistake is made-an invitation is misplaced-and the wrath of the vicious Scarella falls upon the poor infant in the form of a spell. Sleeping Beauty is now destined to sleep for eternity if she should prick her finger on a spindle before she reaches her sixteenth birthday. Sleeping Beauty’s Fairy Godmothers do their best to amend the spell, but Scarella, with the help of some nasty Trolls, tricks Sleeping Beauty into pricking her finger and the spell takes effect. Five-hundred years pass, and Sleeping Beauty wakes to find herself in a rock ‘n roll dream! Also featured in this production are the King and the Queen, Spot, the Fairies, the Palace Attendants and the Caterpillars. SLEEPING BEAUTY-a Rock ‘n Roll Fable for the ages. This is definitely no sleeper!”
Auditions for more than 50 roles start at 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20 for children in kindergarten through 12th grade. No advance preparation is necessary. Assistant directors will also be cast to aid in rehearsals throughout the week, and to take on essential backstage responsibilities.
MCT touring productions are complete with costumes, scenery, props and makeup. Auditions are free, but there will be a fee for those who are cast.
The first two-hour rehearsal will start immediately following casting Monday, and participants should plan for a little more than four hours rehearsal time Tuesday through Friday. Performances will be Saturday, Jan. 25.
Auditions and performances will take place at the Cullman Civic Center.
CPRST Acting Executive Director Christy Turner told The Tribune, “We are so excited to have Missoula Children’s Theatre once again in our community! We have had a long standing relationship with this organization-20-plus years-and they never disappoint, from their talented instructors to the phenomenal production. I am just blown away every year with what they are able to accomplish in a week’s time. It has been rewarding to watch the arts grow in our community and I am just so excited to see what the future has in store.”
MCT employs 120 staffers, most of whom travel outside their headquarters in Montana, according to the company website, to “bring the arts to all 50 states, 5 Canadian provinces and 16 countries. What more could you want, you ask? We have big dreams. We want to reach the small communities that have few creative outlets or resources for their children. We want to provide access for places that have none. We envision helping our country’s children grow into confident, successful citizens using the positive results of our programs. It is our dream to share everything we have learned about developing life skills in children with the world—in Japan, Australia, Africa, Ireland, and other countries. Kids are kids, no matter where they grow up. Children in China, children in small towns, and children with special needs all have something in common: a desire for opportunities to express themselves, learn and have fun doing it. That’s where MCT comes in.”
“I look forward to this event each year,” said CPRST’s Kelly Pulliam. “Seeing how the kids grow during that week is just amazing. They work hard and it shows. The staff from Missoula really knows how to encourage the kids to do their best and to explore what they are capable of in the performance.”
Visit www.cullmanrecreation.org or call 256-734-9157 for more information.
At a glance
Missoula Children’s Theatre presents “Sleeping Beauty”
Auditions- 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20; K-12th grade can audition; free to audition; $40 fee if accepted to perform
Rehearsals Jan. 20-24 after school
Performances Saturday, Jan. 25 at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Auditions, rehearsals and performance held at Cullman Civic Center.
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