Youth Theatre to perform ‘Rainbow Fish’ at Barrow

From staff reports

Youth ages 8 to 16 have been rehearsing for their upcoming performances of “Rainbow Fish” at the Barrow-Civic Theatre in Franklin.

The performance is a production of the popular and successful Franklin Civic Operetta Association Youth Theatre program.

Local schools will take field trips to the Barrow for the first performances of the show on Feb. 16.

Public performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17 and 2 p.m. Feb. 18.

The Civic Operetta Youth Theatre program is committed to providing the area’s youth with the opportunity to discover and develop their creative potential in a safe learning environment, according to a press release.

The youths experience what it’s like to put on a full-scale musical theatre production and are offered the opportunity to gain technical knowledge and skills behind the scenes.

The Youth Theatre is largely underwritten by the John Nesbit and Sarah Henne Rees Charitable Foundation.

“Rainbow Fish” is about a rainbow fish, who is the only one of her kind. She refuses to share her vibrant, shimmering scales, and the ocean turns against her.

When the rainbow fish realizes no one adores her any longer, she seeks out the wise octopus, who teaches her that it’s better to be admired for being kind than for being beautiful.

Cast members for the production include Allison Perdue, Lillian Griffin, Izzy McNulty, Delaney Smith, Lainey Smith, Ellie Heffernan, Rylie Johnson, Colton Greleski, Abigail Greenway, Eryn Moore, Alaina Kuhanek, Amelia Cumpston

Also, Jillian Brinkley, Ben Coyer, Katie Hoffman, Ayla Greleski, Fallon Wirth, Emma Barrett, Keely Johnson, Violet Moulin, Addyson Moore, Braelynn Carr, Evanleigh Stephens, Leah Polito

Also, Chase Rice, Blake Rossman, Michael Rodriguez, Anna Shaffer, Juliette Wachob, Alexa Fleming, Gavin Matthews, Aubrie Brinkley, Aniella McNulty, Ella Swartz and Peyton Whitman.

The production team includes Martha Heise, Kelly Zerbe, Jess Rodriguez and Angie Carothers.

The performance is adapted from the book by Marcus Pfister, translated to English by J. Alison James, with illustrations by Pfister.