MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS and AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS Next to Open for the Manatee Player

The Manatee Players' production of MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS opens in Stone Hall at the Manatee Performing Arts Center on Thursday December 4 and plays through Sunday December 21, 2014.

Performances of MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS are Tuesday - Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $27-$37 including facility fee for adults, $15-$18 including facility fee for teachers and $13-$16 including facility fee for students. Tickets may be reserved by calling 941-748-5875 Monday - Friday from 10-5, Saturday 10-2 and one hour before curtain on performance days or on the Manatee Players' website: www.manateeperformingartscenter.com. All performances are at the Manatee Performing Arts Center at 502 3rd Avenue West Bradenton, FL.

MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS is a rare treasure in the musical theatre, and is based on the heartwarming motion picture. Join the Smith family at the 1904 World's Fair, and see how their love and respect for each other is tempered with the genuine humor that can only be generated by such a special family. You'll recognize the Christmas classic "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."

The show features Eliza Engle as Esther Smith, the role made famous by Judy Garland in the film. Also heading the large cast is Jeff Sargent and Ellen Kleinschmidt as Mr. & Mrs. Smith, along with Brian Finnerty, Ellie McCaw, Amanda Lade, Alanna Rife, Olivia Garland, Dan Tackitt and Seva Anthony along with a large singing and dancing ensemble. The show is being directed and choreographed by Dewayne Barrett with Rick Bogner as musical director.

Also opening on Thursday December 4 in the Bradenton Kiwanis Theater is the classic Christmas opera AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS. In this warm and compassionate story, Gian Carlo Menotti has captured the essential spirit of Christmas. The story tells of the night the Three Kings, following the star of Bethlehem, stop for shelter at the home of Amahl, a poor, crippled shepherd boy who lives with his widowed mother. Inspired by the Wise Men's tale of a kingdom "built on love alone," Amahl offers his own simple gift to the Christ Child. And then a miracle happens. . . This charming story is sure to delight the whole family!

Performances of AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $26 including facility fee for adults, $15 including facility fee for teachers and $13 including facility fee for students. Tickets may be reserved by calling 941-748-5875 Monday - Friday from 10-5, Saturday 10-2 and one hour before curtain on performance days or on the Manatee Performing Arts Center's website: www.manateeperforming artscenter.com. All performances are in the intimate Bradenton Kiwanis Theater at the Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 3rd Avenue West in Bradenton, FL.

This holiday classic stars Jonathan Tyler as Amahl and Diana Vytell as the Mother. Also in the cast are Nancy Brining, Carlo Thomas, Rod Rawlings, Joshua Tomas Roberson, Johana Davila, Janeth Davila, Mackenzie Grace, Liam Kaiser, Jacqueline Galvano, Madeline Cashen and Roderick Leonard Armstrong Jr. The show is being directed by Carlo Thomas with Teresa O'Connell as Musical Director. Dances are being choreographed by Rachel Knowles.

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