Youth theater offers 'NIMH,' 'Velveteen'

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Playhouse Youth Theater will present “Jonathan Frisby and the Rats of NIMH” on the main stage at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday.

The theater also will present a new version of the classic tale “The Velveteen Rabbit” at 7 p.m. April 24 and 25 and at 2 p.m. April 26 in the Moyer Room.

Tickets for both shows are $7 general admission. Call 330-788-8739 to purchase in advance.

“Jonathan Frisby,” written and directed by James Canacci, is a prequel to Robert O’Brien’s 1971 Newberry award-winning children’s book “The Secret of NIMH.” The cast includes Nicole Barber, Hollis Bernaki, Brady Bizon, Paige Brockway, Jayden Byrne, Courtney Carey, Rebecca Catlos, Spencer Farkas, Dylan Fitzpatrick, D’Ella Heschmeyer, Millie Heschmeyer, Sophie Heschmeyer, George Jelic, Miko Jelic, Snezana Jelic, Sophia McHenry, Sarah Meade, Adriana Rosario, Anthony Volpini, Bella Volpini and Jonathan Winston.

Writer/musician Jess Morgan and director Molly Galano created the new take on “Velveteen.” The cast includes Lily Andrei, Bernie Appugliese, Rebecca Catlos, Rachel Conrad, Madeline Devlin, Isabel Dutton, Savanah Dutton, Jacob Myers, Starr E. McClure, Adriana Rosario and Abby Witherstine.