Grafton – It’s spring again! It’s the perfect time for Apple Tree Arts’ “It’s a Hit,” a musical all about baseball, America’s favorite past time. Grab your glove and join us on April 29, 7 p.m. in the Great Hall, One Grafton Common for a fun night of entertainment. Prior to the show, our performing group Show Choir will sing and dance a few musical selections. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children five and over and free for younger children. Tickets will be sold at the door.
“The show focuses on baseball and Fiona, the new girl in town who wants to join the local team and be the pitcher,” said co-director Susan Upham, theatre arts and voice faculty member. “Some of the kids think this is crazy because she’s a girl and girls can’t pitch. Fiona turns out to be an exceptional pitcher and proves all of the doubters wrong. Most importantly, the players learn valuable lessons about teamwork, trying your best and remembering it’s only a game,” Ms. Upham added. Shannon May, early childhood educator and theatre arts faculty member is co-directing the show. Cassie Lobe and Abby Upham are assisting the directors.
The audience will enjoy several musical numbers including the first one “Play Ball” with an organ introduction, “You’re at Bat,” “In a Pickle,” “Strike Zone” and “All Stars.”
The cast features 24 young elementary school aged actors from Grafton, Millbury, Sutton, Upton and Worcester. They have been rehearsing their lines, blocking and songs for the show. Actors include: Aliyah Abdul-Aziz, Samantha Boloz, Brianna Bosland, Anthony Celestino, Juliette Cote, Emma Hillman, Caroline Fisher, Victoria Fisher, Torynn Giunta, Harley Goodale, Julia Gould, Keira Jenkins, Alyssa Johnston, Jenny Johnson, Grace Kelly, Addison Lenz, Ava Lopez, Riley Maloney, Annalise Peters, Cora Persson, Elizabeth Reid-Eriksen, Rebecca Singley, Deirdre Tenney and Samantha Wagner.
Parents and volunteers are assisting with the production in many ways. They are promoting the show, coordinating refreshments, selling tickets and star grams.
Founded in 1989, Apple Tree Arts is a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization that has grown to serve over 1,000 children and adults annually with early childhood music classes, group keyboard lessons, private music and voice instruction, ensembles, theatre arts programs and concerts. The school provides a wide range of performances, special community musical and theatre arts events year-round. For more information, visit www.appletreearts.org