PlayTime Productions will be performing Ali Baba and a Few Thieves on Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at 6:30 p.m., in the Belleville High School Auditorium. The show is sponsored by the Belleville PTO. There is a suggested admission of $2.00.

PlayTime is celebrating 40 years of providing financially and geographically accessible arts experiences to thousands of children and families who attend performances in their respective community each season. It enchants audiences with original theatrical versions of classic fairy tales and other stories including Snow White, The Snow Queen, The Princess and the Pea, and a dozen others. The cast is comprised entirely of local children and teens, ranging from elementary school to high school age.

“We want to expose as many children and families as possible to theatre and the arts, so we tour Dane County each fall and spring with performances at schools, community centers and theatre venues,” said PlayTime Managing/Artistic Director Renaye Leach. “Some performances are free, and we set a small suggested donation amount for others, but we never, ever turn away anyone who can’t pay.”

This season’s performance will be a unique rendition of Ali Baba from the Arabian Nights. Legendary sisters Sheherezade and Dinarzad narrate this age-old tale about two brothers - one rich and greedy, the other poor and clever - and a band of unusual compatriots in search of treasure hidden in a nearby cave. Recent research into the history of the amazing woman storyteller Sheherezade has been added to the script and notes, including a substantial feminist perspective. Sharing this traditional tale from the Middle East is undertaken with the belief that children’s stories can cross modern cultural divides, providing an ancient bit of folk wisdom for our times.

The PlayTime cast, led by Leach and several other assisting adults, practices most weekdays each week for about two months before beginning its tour.

“The cast members are all from different schools, so many new friendships are formed, and they have fun together learning what it takes to present a real theatre production,” Leach said.

The cast’s responsibility goes far beyond the stage: They organize, inventory, and load props and costumes before each performance, then pack up the sets, props, costumes and lighting equipment afterward, all of which helps them learn about theatre behind the scenes and builds responsibility.

Ali Baba and a Few Thieves is supported in part by a grant from American Girl’s Fund for Children; by Dane Arts, with additional funds from Endres Mfg. Company Foundation, The Evjue Foundation, Inc., charitable arm of The Capital Times; the W. Jerome Frautschi Foundation; and the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation. It is also funded in part by a grant from the Madison Arts Commission, with additional funds from the Wisconsin Arts Board, with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.

About PlayTime Productions

PlayTime Productions exists to inspire children through quality theatrical productions. This structured, creative theatre is performed by children, for children. PlayTime helps develop a sense of purpose, responsibility and self-esteem in the performers while providing the audience with a fun family experience. Each spring and fall, PlayTime brings low-cost or free performances to various venues throughout Dane County to encourage interest in and excitement for the arts. Learn more at playtimeproductions.org.