Beloved

story to be performed by local actors

BOYLAN

[email protected]

There is a

time in every girl's life, when she wishes she were a

princess.

The refined

aspects of a princess's life, proper manners, and the

opulent life-style of wealth are appealing to girls, as

are many of the fairy tales that are told.

Starting

Feb. 3, the Southside Theater Guild will present

"The Little Princess," the story of a little

girl who goes from riches to rags before being rescued by

her friends.

The cast of

this musical production is a rather large 24, 15 of which

are teenage girls. The majority of the cast is made up of

Fayette County residents and many of the girls have

worked with Fayette Community Theater from a very young

age. The play's director, Eileen Baldwin, has been

working with the Southside Theater Guild for more than

five years, while also serving as musical director for

FCT since 1993.

Baldwin has

not had any problems handling the cast size, explaining

that she is used to casts of over 60 for the summer

musical productions with FCT.

"The

cast is very disciplined and experienced," explains

Baldwin. "I've known most of the girls since they

were little. Everybody makes a good effort and the

attitude is really relaxed and fun."

The story

of "A Little Princess" focuses on a young girl,

Sara Crewes, who is the daughter of an English soldier

and has been raised in India. Her father brings her to

Miss Minchin's School for Girls in New York and Sara is a

favorite at the school.

Her

comfortable life-style soon changes when her father

disappears and she is penniless. Rather than send Sara

out in the street as an orphan, Miss Minchin relegates

her to the attic to work as a servant. Here Sara and the

maid, Becky, become allies.

So far the

biggest challenges facing the production have been the

weather and the music for the show. There are eight songs

and a few dance numbers in the production. It took a lot

of time to match the music with the show and now the

numbers are among of the strengths of the show.

"Our

biggest strength is the team work of the cast and

crew," says Baldwin. "Without each other, the

show wouldn't fly. Everybody is putting in a lot of hours

and 110 percent into their jobs." Baldwin is

surprised at the lack of complaints and stress. "It

really renews your faith in people and makes the whole

production fun."

"A

Little Princess" will be performed Feb. 3-17 with

performances at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For

information and to make reservations phone Southside

Theater Guild at 770-969-0956.

Their next

production will be Fiddler on the Roof. Auditions will be

at the theater Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 7 and 8 at 7 p.m.

The auditions will consist of cold readings and a singing

audition. Fifteen men and 15 women will be cast.

For

information, phone 770-969-0956.

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