Next Friday Is Opening Night At Valley Youth Theatre

Valley Youth Theatre begins its run of Little Women, the Broadway Musical, Friday, April 6, at 525 North First Street, in Downtown Phoenix. Starring eighteen local young people, age s fourteen to eighteen, and directed by VYT's Producing Artistic Director, Bobb Cooper, the story is based on Louisa May Alcott's timeless 1869 semi - autobiographical novel, long admired for its humor, heartache and invaluable life lessons.

The book of the musical i s by Allan Knee, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein and music by Jason Howland. Little Women follows the lives of the four March sisters - aspiring writer Jo, romantic Meg, pretentious Amy, and kind - hearted Beth - and chronicles their personal discoveries, growing up in Civil War America.

" This story, about love and interpersonal relationships, really resonates with the challenges, messages and hopefulness of young people, today, " said Cooper. " As Jo learns to find her voice and stand up for what she believes in, I can't help but make comparisons to the powerful young voices we are hearing in the news, today. I think it's wonderful how this tale continues to be relevant - and how it has continued to create a meaningful dialogue about women, their hopes and fears, t heir convictions and compassion and their fierce, relentless tenacity."

Little Women, the Broadway Musical runs through April 22. Public performance times are : Fridays at 7 : 00 pm, Saturdays, at 12 : 00 pm and 3 : 30 pm, and Sundays at 12 : 30 pm and 4 : 00 pm. Tickets cost $ 20 for adults and children, ages two and older. They can be ordered online at www.vyt.com or th rou gh Valley Youth Theatre's box office, at 602 - 253 - 8188, extension 1.

As a tribute to veterans and their families, a private military night, with complimentary seats sponsored by APS, will take place on Friday, April 20 o. Additionally, select weekday s hows will be dedicated to the Theatre's donor - funded Literacy and The Arts Program, which provides books, study guides and show tickets for students of Title 1 school s.

Auditions for the next VYT production, Annie The Musical, will be held April 10 and 11 at Valley Youth Theatre. That show will open June 15, at the Herberger Theatre Center, and run through July 1.

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