SCERA's Theatre for Young Audiences to Present MISS NELSON IS MISSING, 10/20-11/7

The third grade students in Miss Nelson's classroom are the worst behaved in the whole school. When their patient and long-suffering school teacher mysteriously goes "missing" from the classroom, and is replaced by scary substitute teacher Miss Viola Swamp, who wields her ruler like a sword, her students set on a desperate search to find their beloved Miss Nelson.

This dilemma provides the clever plot for "Miss Nelson is Missing," a children's book from author Harry Allard that also won the 2002 National Children's Theatre Festival. SCERA first produced the musical version of "Miss Nelson" in 2004 to kick off their Theatre for Young Audiences program, and is bring it back to celebrate their ten-year anniversary of producing one-hour shows to introduce children to the magic of live theatre.

"Miss Nelson Is Missing" plays October 20 through November 7 on Mondays and Fridays at 7:00pm at SCERA Center for the Arts, 745 South State, Orem. Reserved-seat tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children (3-11) and seniors (65+), are available at www.scera.org, by calling (801) 225-ARTS, or at the main office at SCERA Center from 10am-6pm weekdays and Saturdays from 12Noon-6pm.

Daytime matinees for school field trips are already completely sold out.

Julie Nevin directed last season's "The Cat in the Hat," and is back to bring her energy and creativity to another musical designed specifically for kids and their parents.

"I love bringing plays to students. For many children, this will be their first theater experience, and I find it's lovely to see the joy and amazement in their eyes," she says. "Their reactions are 100 percent real."

Her cast - comprised of all adult actors - includes Kathryn Little as Miss Nelson/Viola Swamp, Mark Pulham as Detective McSmogg/Principal Blandsworth, and Jerry Elison as the Narrator/Janitor Pop Hansen.

Miss Nelson's students are also portrayed by adult actors who know how to channel their inner child, and they include Kayla Bonous, Brooklyn Poulter, Seth Mergist, Chance Richter and Andrew Walsh.

"This cast and crew is having a blast putting together this fun story, and that tells you a lot about how well-written and clever the script and music is. I'm confident this will be a very well-liked show," Nevin says. "The story says a lot about understanding, appreciating what you have, and being kind to people. The story, written in the '70s, is delightful, and I especially like an unexpected twist near the end of the play."

Assisting Nevin are Nat Reed, set designer; Kelsey Thacker, music director; Danielle Berry, costume designer; Seth Mergist, lighting design; and Christy Norton, props design.

Photo by Mark A. Philbrick

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