Jack & the Beanstalk coming to Triton

One of the most popular programs sponsored by Triton Community Education returns next week as the Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre presents Jack & the Beanstalk.

The Prairie Fire staff will be in residence at Triton February 6-11 with auditions scheduled for Monday, and rehearsals after school Tuesday through Friday. Public performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, February 10, and 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 11. Both shows will be in the Performing Arts Center at Triton High School. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children.

Prairie Fire has been coming to Triton for 20 years. Each year they bring two professional actors who work with the children to learn their roles and bring out their talents and strengths.

For this year’s Jack & the Beanstalk production, there will be roles for Jack, his fellow villagers, carnival performers, the people of Orchestrania, inhabitants of Featherville, and the trolls.

Up to 70 children will receive a part.

The two professional actors will play the roles of the Storyteller and the Giant.

Between 30 and 35 youngsters are expected to audition and participate in the production. For many of Triton’s elementary youngsters, a Prairie Fire production is their first experience with acting and the theater and they often go on to participate in Triton theater productions as they reach the upper grades.

Prairie Fire rotates between several different productions each school year. In addition to Jack & the Beanstalk, Prairie Fire offers Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Robin Hood, Snow White, and the Wizard of Oz.

Prairie Fire will return to the area in March with a week at Kasson-Mantorville March 26 — April 1.