Photo Flash: First Look at THE MAGICAL ADVENTURES OF MERLIN at SCERA

In a season where witches and spells make an annual appearance, SCERA Center for the Arts is adding a little magic of its own with "The Magical Adventures of Merlin," a Theatre for Young Audiences production that begins Oct. 14 and continues through Nov. 1. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

"It's a delightful musical full of magic tricks," says director Jerry Elison, who says it has all the charm found in composers Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Freidman other musicals "How I Became a Pirate" and "Rapunzel: A Very Hairy Fairy Tale," both of which have SCERA has produced.

"It's an enchanting retelling of young Arthur and the sword in the stone legend that leads to him become a king," Elison adds. SCERA's Theatre for Young Audiences is designed to bring children's literature or history to life through the magic of Live Theatre, and the shows are usually only an hour long. SCERA President & CEO Adam J. Robertson says "It's the perfect length to keep kid's attention, and the play are well-written, funny and clever enough to keep adults entertained as well."

Elison says much of the show's success will come from the volunteer efforts of magician Brian South, who put together the trick logistics and taught the cast how to execute them. "The show is full of magic, illusions, special effects and sleight-of -hand throughout, and we really needed someone who could help us make it captivating and realistic."

The director says the writers have taken the familiar story of Merlin the wizard and his boyhood friend Arthur along with the bewitching Morgana in mythical England and made it a wonderful coming-of-age tale with a memorable musical score. The person who can extract a sword from a stone will become King of England, and Merlin is faced with the dilemma of loyalty to friends or the possibility of ultimate magical power by bowing to the wishes of Morgana. Not surprisingly, a really good wizard will not turn his back on his real friends, and Camelot is born.

"In the end we have a story of understanding, love and thankfulness, tossed with generous doses of fun," Elison says.

For his cast, Elison selected Justin Stockett for Merlin, Aaron James for Arthur, Paige Erickson as Nimue and Tiffany Raines as Morgana.

Three funny knights who wield their swords - but not very well - are played by Zachery Chilcote, Bradley Longmore and Josh Hopkin. Other roles are performed by Joel Farnsworth as the master sorcerer, Denise Gull as the sorcerer's wife and TAnna Lee as Guinevere.

"The Magical Adventures of Merlin" plays on Mondays and Fridays at 7 p.m. Reserved-seat tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children (age 3-11), seniors (age 65+ and students (w/ID) and are available from 10am-6m weekdays and Saturdays from 12Noon-6pm at the main office of SCERA Center for the Arts, 745 South State, Orem, by calling (801) 225-ARTS, online at www.scera.org or at the door 30 minutes prior to each show. Weekday 10am matinees are offered for school field trips and any group of 20 or more. Most days are sold out, but a few spots may still be available. Interested schools or groups may call April Berlin at SCERA at (801) 225-ARTS ext. 1011 for more information.

Photo Credit: Mark A. Philbrick

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