Centenary Stage Company's Young Performers to Debut Spring Festival of Shows, 5/27-6/5

Centenary Stage Company's Young Performers work tirelessly to perfect their dance moves, learn all of their lines, and get their vocal harmonies just right for the culmination of their training session and this spring is no exception. These talented young thespians between the ages of 8 and 18 to the Little Theater with their annual Spring Festival of Shows May 27 through June 5. This year's festival features a variety of musical favorites to entertain audiences of all ages. Hailed as a "state treasure" by Peter Filichia of the Star Ledger and bringing in youth from Morris, Warren, Hunterdon and Sussex counties, Centenary Stage Company's Young Performance Workshop is one of the few young actor training programs in the country that combines formal training with practical application.

This year's anticipated Spring Festival of Shows will feature Camelot, Bye Bye Birdie, Peter and the Wolf, and 110 in the Shade. Performances will be held on select dates in the Little Theatre on the campus of Centenary College at 400 Jefferson Street in Hackettstown.

With a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe, Camelot brings to stunning life the world of King Arthur, Merlin, Sir Lancelot, Guinevere and the Knights of the Round Table. The entire community of Camelot awaits the arrival of Guinevere, King Arthur of England's future Queen. With enchanting musical numbers; The Simple Joys of Maidenhood, The Lusty Month of May, How to Handle a Woman, I Loved You Once in Silence, If Ever I Would Leave You and What Do the Simple Folk Do? audience members are quickly whisked away to a magical land far away. Performances of Camelot are Saturday May 28 at 1pm, Sunday May 29 at 7pm, Friday June 3 at 8pm and Saturday June 4 at 1pm.

One of the most captivating musical shows of our time, Bye Bye Birdie is a satire crafted with the fondest affection telling the story of a rock and roll singer who is about to be inducted into the army. With a book by Michael Stewart, lyrics by Lee Adams and music by Charles Strouse boasts a score featuring such musical theater classics as An English Teacher, What Did I Ever See in Him?, Put on a Happy Face, One Boy, A Lot of Livin' to Do, Kids, Rosie and Spanish Rose. Performances are Friday May 27 at 8pm, Sunday May 29 at 4pm, Saturday June 4 at 8pm and Sunday June 5 at 1pm.

Prokofiev's 1936 timeless and favorite children's story Peter and the Wolf comes to life through music and narration. With both music and text written by Sergei Prokofiev, Peter, lives at his grandfather's cottage in a forest clearing. Peter unafraid of the wolves stalking the forest captures a big grey wolf saving the other woodland creatures. Performances of Peter and the Wolf are Saturday May 28 at 5pm, Saturday June 4 at 11am and Sunday June 5 at 4pm.

Lizzie Curry and her family operate a struggling cattle ranch in a rural, drought-ridden town in Texas in the 1930s. Despite the troubles of the ranch, the family's top priority is finding loveless Lizzie a suitable husband. When a charming man named Starbuck arrives in town, though, Lizzie and her town are turned upside down. 110 in the Shade features a book by N. Richard Nash, lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt. Performances of 110 in the Shade are Saturday May 28 at 8pm, Sunday May 29 at 1pm, Saturday June 4 at 5pm and Sunday June 5 at 7pm

The YPW program has been led by Broadway, film and television veteran, Michael Blevins, for over 20 years. YPW is dedicated to the enrichment of young lives through experience in the theatre arts, and serves as a venue for cultivating young theatre performers. The program is one of only a handful in the nation that offers both formal training and production experience for young people.

Tickets to the YPW Summer Festival of Shows are $12.50 for adults and $10 for children under 12. Tickets may be purchased online at www.centenarystageco.org or by calling the CSC Box Office at (908) 979-0900. All performances will take place in the Little Theatre at 400 Jefferson Street in Hackettstown.

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