FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SUMMER PRODUCTIONS GIVE YOUTH THE OPPORTUNITY TO SOAR ON STAGE
SUN PRAIRIE, WIS. (June 6, 2024) – Many theatres take the summer off. But in Sun Prairie, the focus shifts to giving young actors an opportunity to shine. And for Sun Prairie Civic Theatre, the first of three youth-theatre shows opens with The Penguin Project of SPCT’s production of Shrek The Musical JR.
With performances June 21 and 22 and 7 p.m. and June 23 at 2 p.m., this lively stage production is based on the Oscar-winning, DreamWorks Animation motion picture and book by William Steig. And the cast consists entirely of young actors with special needs and differing abilities, who are joined onstage by peer mentors. With book and lyrics by David Lindsay- Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori, it’s an experience proving the magic of theatre knows no boundaries.
Performances of Shrek The Musical JR. are at Sun Prairie West High School’s Performing Arts Center, 2850 Ironwood Drive in Sun Prairie. General admission tickets are $20 for adults, $17 for seniors and active military members, and $15 for youth, 18 years old or younger. Tickets may be purchased at the door prior to the performance or in advance on the theatre’s website, sunprairiecivictheatre.com.
In July, young actors entering seventh through ninth grade, will bring a 60-minute version of a classic 80s movie to the stage with the production of Footloose: Youth Edition, July 26-28. A G-rated stage adaptation of the movie and Broadway musical, Footloose follows the story of Ren McCormack, a teenager with rhythm in his soul, who finds himself in Bomont, a town where dancing is strictly forbidden. Can Ren and the rebellious daughter of the town’s strict reverend spark a rebellion and bring back the joy of dance?
Evening performances are July 26 and 27 at 7 p.m. And matinee performances are July 27 and 28 at 2 p.m. at the Central Heights Middle School Theater, 220 Kroncke Drive in Sun Prairie. General admission tickets are $10. And may be purchased at the door prior to the performance or in advance online at sunprairiecivictheatre.com.
Wrapping up the summer, young actors entering fourth through sixth grade, get their opportunity to shine in a production Rock of Ages: Youth Edition, September 13 – 15. Filled with electrifying 80’s music, this G-rated, one-hour show is a story of teenage dreams and the power of rock ‘n roll.
With a book by Chris D’Arienzo and arrangements and orchestrations by Ethan Popp, the musical follows the story of Drew and Sherrie, two dreamers who set off on an unforgettable adventure on the legendary Sunset Strip in 1987. And features many classic rock anthems from that era.
Evening performances of Rock of Ages: Youth Edition are September 13 and 14 at 7 p.m. And matinee performances are September 14 and 15 at 2 p.m. All performances are at the Central Heights Middle School Theater, 220 Kroncke Drive in Sun Prairie. General admission tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the door prior to the performance or in advance online at sunprairiecivictheatre.com.
Rock of Ages: Youth Edition and Footloose: Youth Edition are presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com. Shrek The Musical JR is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com.
Established in 2004, The Penguin Project has evolved into a national program with chapters throughout the United States. The Sun Prairie Civic Theatre chapter was the ninth chapter. The program provides a supportive environment for youth with disabilities to explore their creative talents.
Sun Prairie Civic Theatre (SPCT) is a community of volunteers who have been sharing their time and talent to educate people of all ages in the experience of live theater on stage, backstage and in the audience since 1970. Anyone interested in getting involved in or supporting the organization can learn more at sunprairiecivictheatre.com.
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Published on June 6, 2024
