Here's how you can see young actors shine in a new production

Liz Shepard, Battle Creek Enquirer
·3 min read

MARSHALL - Kids will be taking center stage in a new production at the Franke Center.

The Franke Center’s Youth Theater announced its production of "Musicville," featuring the talents of kindergarten through fifth graders.

"Musicville takes audiences on an adventure with Maiden Melody and Radical Rhythm as they attempt to save their town from the Sorcerer of Silence," the Franke Center said in a news release. "On their quest to the Castle of Composition, they pass through the Desert of Doo-wop, the Ocean of Opera, and the Terrible Terrain of Tango meeting musical friends and foes along the way. Their journey teaches them about new kinds of music, overcoming obstacles, and the importance of working together!"

Young actors rehearse for a new production at the Franke Center’s Youth Theater,
Young actors rehearse for a new production at the Franke Center’s Youth Theater,

Show dates are Oct. 12-15, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30p.m.

“This age group is not worried about being silly, they are soaking up every aspect of the process and they give it their all, 100%, all energy all the time! They are the definition of a cast, all happy for each other, supporting each other & all wanting the same end result, to have a great time and put on a great show," Director Deanna Flora said in a statement.

Performances will take place at The Franke, 214 East Mansion St., Marshall. Tickets are available at TheFranke.org or by calling the box office at 269-781-0001.

“Biggest thing to keep in mind with this age group, is they are just starting their theater experiences, for many this will be their first exposure to this world, lingo and the process of production. Trying to continually keep things light and fun, we want everyone to have a great first exposure and set the foundation for the future all while still staying on task and on schedule," Flora said.

Youth actors will be performing "Musicville" in October.
Youth actors will be performing "Musicville" in October.

The cast features Emma Abbey, Abby Avery, Madison Avery, Penelope Benson, Violet Benson, Adelheide Brandafino, Eric Burtrum, Kierstin Burtrum, Cora Mae Davis, Alex Dingee, Ondine Dopp, Thora Dopp, Maddie DuPont, Penny Esser, Clara Gates, Evie Gerten, Hazel Grube, Oliver Hale, Riley Hale, Mason Hanson, Beatrix Huggett, Ella Johnson, Elaina Jones, Leda Jones, Aberdeen Joseph, Mae Kenall, Brielle McCleary, Isabella Mcintosh, Addison Mead, Zoey Mead, Vanessa Modert, Scarlette Murray, Freja Nycz, Bentley Nye, Mia O’Leary, Cooper Obermyer, Avery Peebles, Xavier Pope, Emma Popovits, Mason Popovits, Claire Putnam, Isabelle Roth, Isla Roth, Olivia Roth, Alexandra Ruff, Aliza Ruff, Maddie Schmidt, Ava Schuemann, Sabrina Snyder, Maggie Southworth, Ethan Spaulding, Henry Swender, Sylvia Swender, Addison Swope, Ava Thomson, Auburn Venske, Charlie Venske, Livia Watson, Thomas Watson, Evelyn Weaver, Lincoln Weaver, Henry Weeks, and Connor Wynne.“We have so many new faces in our cast which is very exciting! This musical is just perfect for this age group and the audience is going to love it,” Allison Ebner, director of Youth Theater, said in a statement. The Franke Center for the Arts programming is supported in part by funding from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Contact Liz Shepard at lshepard@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Here's how you can see young actors shine in a new production