Charlie Brown Cast Collects Pet Donations for H.E.L.P.

The young cast of FVR Performing Arts Academy (ages 6-10 years old) will be performing a musical showcase of You're A Good Man Charlie Brown on the Pheasant Run Resort's Mainstage after six long and fun weeks of musical theater instruction and rehearsals. During this musical showcase the cast of You're A Good Man Charlie Brown wanted to help pets like "Snoopy" find their forever homes. Along with preparing for the show, the kids are collecting donations of pet food and pet products needed to provide care to orphaned and injured animals being fostered at the HELP organization in St. Charles, IL. Attendance and donations will help another boy and dog create a lifetime friendship!

HELP is a non for profit organization whose sole purpose is to find Homes for Endangered and Lost Pets. Animals are cared for in foster homes throughout DuPage & Kane County while they wait for adoption.

"I adopted my cat Fuzzy from HELP three years ago and she is the sweetest most loving cat." said cast member Isabella Ford of Sugar Grove. "I am excited to be able to give back to the organization that gave me my best friend."

The "Charlie Brown" cast
Admission to the performance is free, but the cast will be accepting donations of pet food, pet leashes, pet toys and any pet related products. Donations will be collected at the shows and transported to the center and foster homes by volunteers from HELP. Additionally, as a non-profit organization, the FVR Academy accepts cash donations in lieu of admission to provide scholarships to underprivileged local children who would not otherwise be able to participate in their programs.

"My daughter has made so many wonderful friends while performing at FVR. Her confidence has blossomed and her acting and singing skills have grown with each performance. FVR has truly been a joy," says Letty Ebel of Geneva, parent of cast member Kaia Ebel.

Education Manager Tracy Whiteside of St. Charles has been teaching and directing kids at FVR since 2006. Tracy is also serving as a mentor to Directing Intern Ken Gonzales for this production.

"Rehearsals for Charlie Brown are well ahead of schedule, which is a testament to the hard work, dedication and talent of the cast. I am so excited about how quickly this program has grown. Most of the cast has trained at one point in our Education Program, so they have a great base. And the support of the parents in unbelievable! We could never do this without them," says Whiteside. "This summer, we will be doing "Annie" for ages 6-11. Auditions are Saturday, June 4 from 10 am to 1 pm and Tuesday, June 7 from 5:30-7:30. We also have so many amazing summer camps to choose from. I hope everyone will support the cast!"

You're a Good Man Charlie Brown will be presented Saturday, May 14 at 4:00pm and Sunday, May 15 at 11:00am on the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage. Admission is free.

The Charlie Brown cast members include from Aurora: Rece Komorn; Batavia: Caden Bohmer; Elburn: Morgan Miller; Elgin: Robert Keldani, Jordon Keldani, Amelia Kuhlman; Geneva: Zoe Borden, Nathan Castagna, Rhea Chandran, Kaia Ebel, Erin Hurley, Jessica Lamplough; Hanover Park: Hayley Troyan; North Aurora: Madeline Cue; St Charles: Erika Denker, Keira Denker, Jamie Dowat , Emily Johns, Bethany Paris, Eva Saltsman; Sugar Grove: Isabella Ford, Maggie Madziarczyk, West Chicago: Paige Cannata

The Fox Valley Repertory Performing Arts Academy features some of the Chicago area's most respected teachers, directors, actors and musicians. Classes are available for ages 3-19. For more information, visit www.foxvalleyrep.org/education or call 630-364-0550.

"Fox Valley Repertory offers such great opportunities for kids throughout the Chicagoland area. They not only learn to be comfortable in front of a crowd, but make a lot of great friends while improving their singing, dancing, and performance skills," says Jennifer Madziarczyk of Sugar Grove, parent of Maggie Madziarczyk.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and is sponsored in part by Kane County Chronicle.

Ample free parking and valet services are available at Pheasant Run Resort, located at 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL.

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