Flash player is required to view weather conditions. Download

site web  

MIDDLETOWN — The Children's Community Theatre is putting on a whale of a show Sunday, June 29.

It's the musical "Oh, Jonah!" based on the biblical story of a man swallowed by a whale. The production attracted so many kids — about 50 — the company had to schedule two shows to accommodate everyone who wanted to see it. The kids came from as far as Westerville and Columbus.

The free shows will be at 4 and 6:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church.

The children rehearsed the show throughout the past week, with director Nina Markle guiding them. When some of the kids who were playing sinners didn't come across surly enough, Markle had them repeat their entrance with sterner expressions.

"Can I see you come in like not-nice people? Oh yes, don't you smile," Markle exhorted as the kids came in with furrowed brows.

For their part, the kids were getting a kick out of theater, whether they were playing a king or making the ocean move by holding up a blue piece of cloth with a pole at either end.

"I like getting to meet new friends and enjoying being with other people," said Catie Pelfrey, one of the cast members from Monroe.

"You really have to focus on making the play really good," said Miles Jenna of Middletown.

The Children's Community Theatre has been such a great word of mouth success, it has spawned a new group, the Middletown Performing Arts Academy, which will offer performing lessons to area children and put on its own shows later this year, Markle said.

"Parents asked for lessons and we realized there was a need for a performing arts academy," she said.

The Children's Community Theatre will return July 20 with the show "Are We There Yet," which will include past participants of the academy.

For more information on the theater or the academy, call (513) 424-0076 or (513) 594-4934.