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Rainbow Youth Theatre prepping for summer productions

Rehearsals are underway for Rainbow Youth Theatre’s summer productions.

Rehearsals are underway for Rainbow Youth Theatre’s summer productions.

Alice in Wonderland, Jr. will be presented from Aug. 1 to 4, and Dance Princess, Dance will follow from August 8 to 11. Both productions perform at the Mark R. Isfeld Theatre.

At the helm of this year’s junior production of Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, Jr. is Tamara Ryan, a Rainbow alumnus and an instructor at Gemini Dance Studios. Ryan has a great deal of experience working with younger children which makes her an ideal director for this age group.

“It’s important to encourage a passion and respect for performing at a young age,” she says, “because in the performing arts are great opportunities to learn new skills, make new friends and grow in a safe, positive environment.”

Together with assistant director Emily Corkery, Ryan is preparing her young cast to put on a show that will live in the memory as one of the best children’s shows in recent years. Anyone who has wanted to visit Wonderland will be transported there by this young and energetic cast.

The cast of Dance Princess, Dance is already being worked hard by director/co-writer Peter Woodhall. Woodhall, a retired high school teacher of English and Theatre, has already directed several productions in the Comox Valley including The Boyfriend, Robin Hood and the Merry Marys, Snow White at the Sid and most recently, Cleopatra in De Nile.

This production promises magic, mischief and mania performed by an incredibly talented cast of young performers. Working with Woodhall are musical director Janet Shaw and choreographer Elizabeth Penney, both veterans of many productions in the Comox Valley, who are ensuring that each performer sings and dances with gusto for the audiences.

Dance Princess, Dance promises to be a fun and exciting experience for everyone, evil sorceresses included.

There is a special friends and family deal for both productions — one free ticket for every $50 spent. Tickets for both shows are available in Comox at Comox Videos N More and in Courtenay at Planet Kidz.

— Rainbow Youth Theatre