Arts & Entertainment

Local Youths Star in Arlington Plays

The Arlington Children's Theatre presents its 2012 Summer Season from Aug. 3 to 12.

Seven Winchester youths join young people from 15 other Boston-area communities onstage at the Regent Theater when the Arlington Children's Theatre presents its 2012 Summer Season on Saturday, Aug. 3 through Sunday, Aug. 12.

The season features three major musicals--“Disney's Alice in Wonderland, Jr.,” “13: the Musical,” and “Spring Awakening”--directed by a professional staff. The Regent Theatre is at 7 Medford St. in Arlington; tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the box office Wednesday through Saturdays from noon till 6 p.m. and one hour before shows or online.

“Disney's Alice in Wonderland, Jr.,” directed by Talia Brown, features the younger cast of 7 to 12 year-old actors and follows Alice's adventures as she chases the White Rabbit, races the Dodo Bird, gets tied up with the Tweedles, raps with a bubble-blowing Caterpillar and beats the Queen of Hearts at her own game. Winchester actors include Isabella Cirignano and Joel Ruben-Meyer. 

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Performances for "Disney's Alice in Wonderland, Jr." are as follows:

  • Sunday, Aug. 5 at 2 p.m.
  • Thursday, Aug. 9 at 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Aug. 11 at 10 a.m.
  • Sunday, Aug. 12 at 2 p.m. 

“13: The Musical” is a story about growing up. When his parents get divorced and he's forced to move from New York to a small town in Indiana, Evan Goldman just wants to make friends and survive the school year. Easier said than done! The star quarterback is threatening to ruin his life and his only friend, Patrice, won't talk to him. A classmate sees an opportunity for blackmail and someone is spreading the nastiest rumors. With an unforgettable rock score from Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown, 13 is a high-energy musical comedy for all ages about discovering that cool is where you find it, and sometimes where you least expect it. The show, directed by Matt Lundeen and featuring actors ages 11 to 15. Winchester actors include Caroline Nahill and Becca and Maisie Smith. 

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Performances for "13: The Musical" are as follows:

  • Sunday, Aug. 5 at 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Aug. 7 at 7 p.m.
  • Friday, Aug. 10 at 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Aug. 11 at 2 p.m. 

“Spring Awakening,” featuring an older cast of 14 to 18 year olds, is a rock musical adaptation of the controversial play of the same name that was banned in Germany in 1892. The eight time Tony Award-winning play (including best musical, best book and best score) is about timeless teenage challenges: academics, relationships and the tumult of sexual awakening. It comments on parenting, sexual abuse and the overwhelming need for us all to find our place in the world. Spring Awakening contains strong language and mature content. Parents should use discretion when deciding if children under the age of 14 should attend. Directed by ACT artistic director, Colleen Rua, Spring Awakening is based on the play by Frank Wedekind and features music by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater. Winchester actors include Jenna Czeck and James Wyrwicz.

“It's hard to believe that a coming of age story written over a century ago could speak so honestly and unflinchingly about many of the same issues today's teenagers are grappling with,” Rua commented. “Our teen actors have really connected with the show's electrifying music and challenging subject matter.”

Performances for “Spring Awakening” are as follows:

  • Saturday, Aug. 4 at 7 p.m.
  • Monday, Aug. 6 at 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Aug. 8 at 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Aug. 11 at 7 p.m.

For more information about all three shows, visit http://act.arlington.ma.us.


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