Daily Pioneer News

Area children brought to life songs from "School House Rocks" during last year's Heartland Festival children's theater musical. This year, more than 50 area children will star in the popular children's tale "Rumpelstiltskin" Friday, July 9 and Saturday, July 10.

PLATTEVILLE - Veteran stage actors star in Heartland Festival shows such as "Pump Boys and Dinettes" and "The Odd Couple," but when a musical version of "Rumpelstiltskin" comes to the Center for the Arts stage July 9 and 10, it will be children who are the featured talent.

More than 50 area children will rehearse throughout the week leading up to the debut of the popular children's tale. Part of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Heartland Festival, "Rumpelstiltskin" will premiere Friday, July 9, with a second performance the following day.

"Rumpelstiltskin" is a musical adaptation of the popular children's story that tells the tale of a miller's daughter who must turn straw into gold. Rumpelstiltskin is the name of the mysterious gnome-like creature who helps the girl accomplish the alchemic impossibility.

"It's a great show to see, and a fantastic show to be in. But the slots will go fast," McCaslin-Doyle said.

Heartland Festival organizers have enlisted the help of the Missoula Children's Theater to produce the musical. Based in Montana, the theater company sends actor-directors to communities throughout the nation to help produce children's theater performances. Nearly 50,000 children will participate as performers in Missoula theater productions this season. Cooperating with Missoula will offer some great benefits.

"They bring the set, the costumes; we'll provide the lighting," festival artistic director John McCaslin-Doyle said. "In past years, it's been quite a trick to get everything done, so having them bring their own sets and scripts is going to help us out."

But the greatest benefit is the shear number of children that can participate in Missoula company performances, and the short time period in which their directors can put together a production.

"It's a beautiful thing. They've got it down to an art form," McCaslin-Doyle said. Between 50 and 60 children will audition and receive parts Monday, July 5. Rehearsals will be held four hours a day throughout the week until the opening. Parts are available to children and teenagers K-12.

"We can service a larger number of children this way," McCaslin-Doyle said. "The second big advantage is that there's a wider age-range that we can service. We have a lot of little kids and a lot of high school students that want to be in our shows.

"The local kids are the stars," he continued.

A number of ancillary workshops are also offered to help children and adults learn more about theater. At 4 p.m., Tuesday, July 6, a workshop entitled "Behind the Scenes," recommended for youth grades six to eight, will help show what happens before the curtain rises, explaining the process through role-playing. "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Prop," recommended for children in grades three to five, will explore the use of costumes and props at 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 7. "Theater Games," at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 8, is an informative workshop geared toward adult educators and childcare specialists. It is designed as a guide to tap children's creativity with fun activities relating to theater performance. All workshops are free and open to people of all ages.

"Rumpelstiltskin" will debut at 8 p.m., Friday, July 9 in the Brodbeck Concert Hall of the CFA, and will continue with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. July 10. Tickets are $10 for adults and $4 for UWP students and for those under the age of 18. The university box office can be reached at 608-342-1298.

A limited number of spots are still available for children interested in performing in the musical. The cost is $50, and individuals may register by calling the UWP Office of Continuing Education at 608-342-1314.