Creative Arts Theatre & School announces 2008-2009 season

by Shawn Parikh

Creative Theatre Arts & School (CATS) is one of the oldest operating youth theatres in the nation and the only youth theatre in DFW where youth perform for peers and run the lights, sound, and crew. They have just released the info on their upcoming 2008-2009 Spolight Series and showtimes are Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are already available online or by calling 817-861-2287.

Make sure to see what's coming in the next year:

• Cinderella from October 3 - 12, 2008. A young woman triumphs over her nasty, abusive Stepmother and Stepsisters and marries her Prince Charming, thanks to her zany Fairy Godmother, a trip to the Royal Ball in an enchanted coach and a glass slipper. The Fairy Godmother's two comical helpers keep things moving along in this delightful version of a classic known the world over.
• The Legend of Sleepy Hollow from October 31 - November 9, 2008. Early on a September morning the villagers of Sleepy Hollow await their new schoolmaster. His genteel manners and his hymn singing impress the ladies, including Katrina Van Tassel, the town belle. The menfolk are less thrilled, especially Brom Bones, Katrina's beau, and he begins plotting to rid himself of his unwelcome rival. Matters come to a head during the Van Tassel's Halloween party, after which the superstitious Ichabod is accosted on his lonely ride home by a fiendish apparition, the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow. The next morning Ichabod has disappeared, leaving behind only a song in the wind, and a new legend is born.
• Christmas Carol Miracle from December 5 - 14, 2008. It’s December 1939 in a small Texas town, the orphans at Abba House enter the town’s annual Christmas Carol Contest. The money will save the doomed orphanage. The orphans are sure to win…until Christoper arrives. Not only can Christopher not sing, but he never smiles either. Will the orphans let Christopher sing with the choir knowing that they could lose the contest and prize money, and therefore their home? This wonderful family musical by Taffy Geisel will not only touch your heart, it will also put you in the holiday spirit.
• Free to Be You and Me from January 2 - 4, 2009. Free to Be… You and Me features songs and stories. Using poetry, songs, and sketches, the basic concept is to salute values such as individuality, tolerance, and happiness with one's identity; a major thematic message is that anyone, whether a boy or a girl, can achieve anything one wants.
• Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court from January 30 - February 8, 2009. A teenager who works on his school's stage crew, is knocked out by a co-worker and finds himself transported back to the thrilling days of King Arthur, Queen Guenevere and the Knights and Ladies of the Round Table. Hank, who has been studying astronomy, predicts an eclipse of the sun and is hailed a great wizard. He is knighted "Sir Boss" and sets about modernizing Camelot, complete with telephones, bicycles and T-shirts. But the king's wicked half-sister plots against Camelot, planning an invasion with her own army. How "Sir Boss" overcomes the evil plot and finds his way back to Hartford, Connecticut, provides fun and excitement for everyone.
• Boxcar Children from February 27 - March 8, 2009. This story is about four children: Henry James Alden, 14; Jessie Alden, 12; Violet Alden, 10; Benny Alden, 4, and their dog Watch. Upon the death of their mother and father, their grandfather assumes custody of the children, but they run away because they believe him to be cruel. Finding an abandoned boxcar, they start a new life of independence. A man named Dr. Moore, who lives in a nearby city, hires Henry to do jobs around his home, such as mowing the lawn and organizing his garage. With the help of Henry's income and living off the land, the children are able to take care of themselves until Violet becomes ill and they must go to Dr. Moore for assistance.
• Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny from March 27 - Arpil 5, 2009. Peter Rabbit is lucky to have escaped Mr. MacGregor's garden, but then his cousin Benjamin suggests they go back together for Peter's missing coat and shoes.
• Into The Woods from May 1- 10, 2009. A childless baker and his wife cannot have a child until they follow the bidding of the witch next door to get a cow as white as milk, the cape as red as blood, the hair as yellow as corn, and the slipper as pure as gold. Good thing, then that they've got neighbors named Jack, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Cinderella to help them before (and after) Happily Ever After.