Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The SFA Children's Performing Arts Series production of "Sleeping Beauty" on May 7 at Stephen F. Austin State University is already a sell-out, and those who missed out on getting their tickets in time may want to begin planning their school calendars now for next season's CPAS productions.
All tickets have been sold for both the 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. performances of the classic children's fairy tale presented by American Family Theatre, Inc., and "Sleeping Beauty" is the last CPAS production of this academic year.
But contracts for the 2013-2014 CPAS shows have been finalized, and area school officials can begin planning for those dates now, according to Diane J. Flynn, SFA Fine Arts Box Office manager and CPAS director.
"We have an outstanding lineup of children's shows already scheduled for the 2013-2014 season," Flynn said. "They range from the returning 'Super Scientific Circus,' which is always a favorite, to musicals with storylines designed to teach young theater patrons lessons in friendship, bullying and trust as well as the importance of family bonds."
The next CPAS season opens with "Jigsaw Jones: The Case of the Class Clown," presented by ArtsPower on Friday, Oct. 25. In the play, which is based on the book by author James Preller and targets first through fourth grades, Athena Lorenzo has been slimed and she does not appreciate the practical joke. It is up to Jigsaw and his friend Mila to investigate the sliming and track down the second grade class clown. Audiences will laugh as they learn the secret codes that Jigsaw must decipher to solve the mystery.
"Super Scientific Circus" is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 11. The show demonstrates how science can be fun and funny by using boomerangs, bubbles, beach balls, bull whips, and magic to introduce the principles of friction, inertia, centripetal force, aerodynamics, sonic booms, air pressure and ultraviolet light. The show is appropriate for students in kindergarten through 12th grades.
American Family Theater will present the classic children's favorite "Wizard of Oz" on Friday, Jan. 31. Targeting children in kindergarten through sixth grades, the show, based on L. Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," takes patrons along with Dorothy in her adventures over the rainbow with Tinman, Scarecrow, Lion and, of course, the Wizard himself.
"Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day," slated for Friday, April 4, is designed to teach children in kindergarten through third grade that sometimes, everyone has a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Children will laugh and sing along with Alexander's misadventures in this hilarious musical, featuring book and lyrics by Judith Viorst, author of the best-selling classic book. The show is a presentation of Theatreworks USA and Two Beans Productions.
The final CPAS show of the 2013-14 season is "Laura Ingalls Wilder," presented by ArtsPower on Thursday, May 8. Laura and her family travel across America in search of a place they can call home. Facing obstacles such as scarlet fever and eviction from their land, their pioneering spirit and family bonds are tested but never broken.
CPAS performances are at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus. Tickets are $6 for individuals and $5 per person for groups of 20 or more. Tickets for CPAS performances will go on sale Aug. 19.
CPAS is a presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts.
Visit the CPAS website at www.cpas.sfasu.edu or call the Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 for more information.