New Britain Youth Theater Plans Magical Spring And Summer Performances

Looking toward warmer days and school vacations, New Britain Youth Theater has announced programs and performances for May through July.

In May, the theater's Teen Company will perform the Tony Award-winning Peter and the Starcatcher. This swashbuckling adventure with music is described as a prequel to Peter Pan and tells how a nameless, angst-ridden orphan becomes the immortal Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up. From marauding pirates and jungle tyrants to unwilling comrades and unlikely heroes, this coming of age tale comically explores the depths of greed and despair-and the bonds of friendship, duty, and love through the limitless possibilities of imagination. The origins of Captain Hook, Tinkerbell, the Lost Boys, and even Neverland itself are also revealed. The play stars twenty children ages 11 through 18 from throughout Connecticut, and it is appropriate for ages 10 and up.

"This has certainly been one of our most challenging and most fun productions to work on," said NBYT Executive and Artistic Director Darren Farrington. "The full cast is nearly always on stage, and they play dozens of different characters. As Peter says in the play, it's 'one awfully big adventure!'"

Peter and the Starcatcher will be performed at Raymond Hill School at the Klingberg Center, located at 370 Linwood Street Street in New Britain. Performances are Friday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, May 19, at 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday, May 20 at 2:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $13 for adults and $11 for children, students, and seniors. Tickets may be reserved by calling New Britain Youth Theater at 860-515-8115 or may be purchased online at www.nbyt.org.

Events in June include an interactive circus-themed mystery party, Murder Under the Big Top, for ages 10 through 18 on Saturday, June 9. Participants who register by May 27 will be given roles to improvise, and they must work together to find the killer before the grand finale. On Wednesday, June 20, a reading of the Teen Company fall play, The Laramie Project, will be held. Auditions for that drama will be held in July for ages 16 through 20.

The theater's largest summer program will be its July musical, Willy Wonka Jr. Rehearsals will be held over a four-week half-day program on Mondays through Fridays from July 2 through 27 (except July 4). Program hours are 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Although the full program is limited to ages 7 to 14, a limited number of children ages 5 and 6 will join the program during the final week to be part of the cast. All children who register will be cast in the show, and performances will be held on July 27, 28 and 29. Rehearsals and performances will be held at Holmes Elementary School in New Britain.

July will also bring staged readings on Thursdays, July 12 and 19, of plays selected for NBYT's first Short Play Festival. The majority of the plays are written by local children and teens, and a couple are by New Britain school graduates and former NBYT participants.

"Beginning with Peter and the Starcatcher in May, and going on through Willy Wonka in July, plus staged readings, auditions, and a mystery party, there are events and fun for all ages at NBYT in the next few months," said Farrington.

For more program and performance details, registration forms, and general information about New Britain Youth Theater, please visit the company's website at www.nbyt.org, email info@nbyt.org, or call 860-515-8115.

About New Britain Youth Theater

Founded in 2010 and selected by Connecticut Magazine as Connecticut's Best Children's Theater in 2017, New Britain Youth Theater is a professionally-run community and educational theater for children and teens. NBYT produces a season of performances by and for children and young adults, provides in-school and after-school arts-integrated and arts-enrichment educational programming, and offers drama classes and individual coaching and lessons. The theater reaches children and their families in Greater New Britain, Greater Hartford, the Farmington Valley, and throughout Connecticut. NBYT is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and young adults by encouraging creative thinking and collaborative teamwork, fostering self-confidence and self-esteem, and developing social, emotional, and academic skills through involvement in high-quality, low-cost programs in the performing arts. NBYT operates its programs in community spaces and schools throughout Greater New Britain, and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

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