Category: The Front Row

7 Reasons to Make Headlines in Newsies

Happy #TechTuesday, Encore fans! I hope that you’ve had a chance to enjoy the gorgeous weather today (it’s almost 70 degrees here at Encore’s Main Campus!). All this sunshine has us dreaming ahead to this summer’s mainstage production of Disney’s Newsies. The rights for this fan(sie) favorite were only recently and Encore is thrilled to produce it for our audience here in the DMV area. Not sure if you’re ready to make headline news as a part of the show? I’m gonna give you seven reasons to “Seize the day!”



1) Irresistible Tunes
With Disney heavy-hitter Alan Menken at the helm, the Newsies score is chock full of catchy songs that are a blast to sing (just ask the people who get to hear me sitting in traffic). Favorites from the 1992 film, like “Seize the Day” and “King of New York,” make energetic reappearances alongside additional songs that were written for the Broadway debut. One listen on Spotify will have you prepping for auditions in no time.

via GIPHY

2) Bust a Move
Such an energetic score calls for enthusiastic company dance numbers. From the most experienced dancer to the cautious newbie, Newsies will be a fantastic chance to push yourself and your dance abilities to the next level. Plus, who wouldn’t want to be a part of that epic newspaper dance?

3) Stylin’
This production will be a wonderful chance to experience the fun that time period-specific costumes can bring. Channel your inner tiny child and have a blast playing dress-up in types of garments you’d never get the chance to try in real life!

4) Brothers (and Sisters) in Arms
Behind the flashy dances and catchy songs, Newsies is, at its core, a show about sticking together for what’s right. The fellowship found between these characters will surely bind the cast together for an unforgettable experience that will last long after the strike is over.

5) “Watch What Happens”
I try to keep these posts as spoiler-free as I can, so I’ll keep the headline at this: Newsies is an uplifting story about friendship, love, and facing down adversity. Don’t you want to know how it ends?

Source: National Child Labor Committee Collection, The Library of Congress

6) The Real Story
Audiences may be surprised to learn that both iterations of Newsies (the 1992 film and Broadway musical) are based on an actual newsboy strike that took place in 1899 in New York City. The musical contains tidbits to satisfy history buffs in both the cast and the audience. For instance, the character of Katherine is based on a real life female reporter.

Photo by: OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

7) Familiar Faces on the Front Page
Participants who joined us for The Music Man (2017) or Seussical (2018) will recognize several faces behind the audition room table.

Encore is excited to welcome back both director Elizabeth Pringle and Music Director Sarah Markovits, who will be joining Stage and Production Manager Rebecca Pfeil for this production!

All fired up and ready to take on Pulitzer with the rest of the Newsies?
Mark your calendar to audition for Disney’s Newsies:

Ages 15+ (Including College Students and Adults): May 13 & 14, 2019 | 7-9pm
Youth Audition (Ages 11-14): May 14, 2019 | 5-7pm
Crew (Ages 12+, including College Students and Adults): May 13 & 14, 2019 | 7-9pm

Photos by Larry McClemons and Aileen Pangan Christian. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.

7 Rad Reflections from January

With a new year come new opportunities, a clean slate, and an excited outlook. Our January at Encore has certainly lived up to (and even exceeded) our great expectations. Read on for just a taste of the awesome buzz that’s been humming around Encore since the start of 2019.



1) We Flew into the New Year…
…with our first-ever Early Bird sale for Encore summer camps! Prices go up this Friday, February 1st, so enroll today to save some dough.

2) We Opened Our House
At the beginning of January, Encore hosted our inaugural Summer Camp Open House event. With six classes running and over 100 visitors, it was a wonderful way to get excited for #EncoreSummer!

3) We Sparked Joy
Like many others, this month we organized our spaces, organizing, sorting, and generally tidying up. Our conference room is like our laboratory – we want to keep it clean and ready for groundbreaking ideas!

4) We Sold Out the Shop
Thanks to an unexpected snow day earlier in the run, the closing performance of The Enchanted Bookshop was attended by over 400 patrons, with the final tickets sold just minutes before curtain. What an exciting end to a wonderful and sweet show!

5) We Visited the Haus
Kinder Haus Toys, that is! January brought a new partnership with this local family-owned establishment. Encore now offers an Early Childhood class for students ages 6 months-3 years on Wednesday mornings at Kinder Haus. Fans of our Tuesday morning program will love this continued experience at a new location!

6) We Got Back to Class
Encore’s Winter session of theatre classes began this month, with offerings on Wednesday evenings, Saturday mornings, and an addition to our new Monday evening program: The Actor Creates, specially crafted for students in grades 6-12.

7) We Wrecked Two Incredible Camps
Encore hopped back into the school year with two holiday mini-camps this month, themed after fan favorites The Incredibles and Wreck It Ralph. With a whole day of theatre games, crafts, and creative plays, it was a blast!


Photos by Aileen Pangan Christian, Larry McClemons, Clarence Chan, and Cindy Kane Photography. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.

5 Reasons to Bring Your Merry Squad to Robin Hood

#FrontRowFriday greetings, Encore fans. Did you miss out on the magic of The Enchanted Bookshop? Fear not! Encore’s production of Robin Hood will be swashbuckling into Gunston One in just a month, opening on Friday, February 22nd. Luckily, this leaves you will plenty of time to round up your own merry band of characters to organize a trip to the theatre. Still on the fence, villain? This post shall change your mind and have you on the side of good before you know it.



1) Support Your Comrades
Are you a veteran of many an Encore show? Chances are some of your show friends are part of Robin Hood‘s cast and crew. Come out to the theatre to show them some love. New to the Encore family? A fun day of theatre and friends is a fantastic way to bond with your pals outside of school.

2) Do It for the ‘Gram
Are you a fan of Instagram? Hope you’re following us at @EncoreArlington for fun templates, interactive announcements, and exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews and takeovers. Tag us in your posts and stories and you might be featured in Encore’s IG story during the show!

3) Epic #SquadGoals
We love a theme day at Encore (any excuse to dress up, really). Why not coordinate with your squad to show up to the theatre in style? #OotD #classy #EncoreStyle

4) Make Away with Some Treasure
In the lobby of each Encore production you’ll find an info table, featuring brochures about Encore’s programs and productions and…what else? Treasure, of course! In the form of an awesome raffle. Give back to Encore while putting yourself in the running for a fabulous prize. What’s up for grabs this time around? Guess you’ll just have to come check it out for yourself…

5) Save Your Gold
Be smart as fox – band together with nine other friends to take advantage of Encore’s group discount! Interested in organizing a trip to the theatre for your class, youth group, or scout troop? Email boxoffice@encorestage.org for more information and some nifty marketing materials to share with your group.

Photos by Aileen Pangan Christian, Larry McClemons, and Cindy Kane Photography. Graphic design by Aileen Pangan Christian. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.

7 Terrific Reasons to Come to Tech Camp This Summer

Happy #TechTuesday, Encore fam! We’re still working through our post-show blues after closing The Enchanted Bookshop this weekend. Lifting our spirits? Looking toward summer! With just over two weeks of Early Bird pricing left, we’re dreaming of putting our skills to the test at Tech Camp. Unsure if it’s the place for you? Read on for seven awesome reasons to don your black clothes and become a Crew-ton this summer.



1) Learn from the Best
Our teaching artists are experienced technicians that have been working in the field of tech theatre for years. They’re a great resource for learning new skills, refining your techniques, or asking questions about a working life in the theatre.

2) Give Run Crew a Test Run
Do you usually find yourself onstage, rather than behind the scenes? Tech Camp is a wonderful way to dip your toe in the technical theatre pond, so to speak. Come give it a try – maybe you’ll have such a blast that you’ll audition for crew next season!

3) Part of the Crew, Part of the Ship
In just three short weeks, you’ll work together to create all the technical elements of a production. This hard work and tight time frame are the perfect place to bring people together to create lasting friendships. One of the greatest things of wrapping a production is celebrating with your fellow crew mates!

4) (Near) Instant Gratification
The shortened timeline of Tech Camp also allows you to see your hard work come to fruition sooner rather than later. Who doesn’t love the gratification seeing their successes quickly?

5) Max It Out
Does your schedule during the school year prevent you from being able to audition for an Encore crew during our season? Tech Camp is a fantastic opportunity to experience the whole process of being on crew, in just three weeks of the time!

6) Jack and Jill of Many Trades
Never done tech before? Not sure if your interest lies in scenic painting, prop production, or lighting design? Lucky for you, Tech Camp participants get to experience multiple aspects of the technical theatre experience, allowing you to discover new interests or delve deeper into an existing passion.

7) One Summer, Multiple Shows
The accelerated pace of our Stage Door and Tech Camp programs allow students to participate in several productions, if they so choose. Where will you travel in your technical imagination this summer? Mr. Wonka’s workshop? The chimney-ed rooftops of London? The choice is yours!

If you’re ready to jump in and roll up your sleeves as a techie this summer, sign up today! Early Bird pricing ends on Friday, February 1st, 2019 and you won’t want to miss out on your choice of shows. We look forward to building, painting, lighting, and so much more with every one of you!

Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, JR. – June 24 – July 12, 2019 (Stage Door and Tech Camp)

Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins, JR. – July 22 – August 9, 2019

Photos by Cindy Kane Photography and Aileen Pangan Christian. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.

Hannah’s Encore Story (Student Editor Takeover)

Hi Encore readers! I’m Hannah, one of this year’s Student Editors. You may have caught my interview with Susan Keady here on the blog a few weeks ago. I’m excited to share my “Encore Story” with you all! Keep reading to learn about my favorite shows, memories, and advice from my experiences at Encore.

I’ll start with where my adventure with Encore began. Way back in 2013, I auditioned for Encore’s musical for that year, The Little Mermaid. I was so nervous; it was my first time trying out for a show. I didn’t make it in that time around, but I made sure to come back the next year to audition again! This time it was for Cinderella. I had learned from what I did in the previous year’s audition and made sure I did my very best this time.

To my surprise, I made it in, and got the role of Citizen # 1! I was overjoyed to be part of my very first musical and had so much fun learning about theatre for the first time. I learned all about stage directions, blocking, and even had a solo at the top of Act 2! Although auditioning for the first time was scary, it was all worthwhile because it set me on the path for five years (and counting!) of awesome theatre experience with Encore.

Since then, I’ve been in 14 more Encore shows and have learned so much. I’ve done six shows on crew and eight on cast. Some of my favorite crew positions have been ASM (assistant stage manager), runner, and house manager. Some of my favorite cast roles were Scar in The Lion King Jr, Lavinia in A Little Princess, and Humpty Dumpty in Alice in Wonderland. I started out interested in musicals and singing and have now grown to love acting, dancing, and technical crew just as much!

In my hours of putting shows together, one of my favorite memories was when I was backstage crew last year during tech week for James and the Giant Peach. One of the props for the show was a “motorcycle” with a side car. The bike was actually automated and powered by an engine! This meant that when we transported the contraption from the tech shop to the theatre we got to ride it all the way there. It may have not been the most efficient way of travel but it was definitely the most fun!

Another of my favorite memories was doing Q&As as Scar during The Lion King Jr. For many of the shows, there would be a birthday party of kids coming to see the show. Before the show we would go out and sing and then the kids and their parents would ask questions. It was really fun to see the kids reactions when the whole cast would come out in costume. And being Scar, some of the very young kids would be quite scared to see me standing in front of them. Interacting with the audience, especially the younger viewers is one of my favorite things about theatre because you get to see how they enjoyed the performance.

My final favorite Encore memory was last year’s 50th Birthday Bash. I can’t believe Encore has existed for over three times my life-span. It was an amazing night because tons of people from all the different parts of Encore in one place. I also got to perform, as well as see pictures of the past 50 years of shows. Maybe I’ll be around for the 100th Birthday Bash, who knows? Though I’ve only been around for a small portion of Encore’s timeline I’ve developed so many lifelong memories!

After my experiences with auditioning for Encore and performing I have lots of advice to give for other students interested in theatre. My first piece of advice would be to be yourself! Theatre is all about expressing yourself and directors love to see your personality shine through when you audition.

My second piece of advice would be to follow directions. Whether it be for an audition or once you’re part of a show, the directing staff have a specific vision for the show and following their instructions makes things run much smoother.

My third and final piece of advice would be to have fun! Though there are difficult things about being a part of an ensemble, a very important thing is to enjoy yourself. Theatre should be an exciting way to express yourself and if you love theatre as much as I do all the hard work it totally worth it.

That’s it! Thanks for reading and I’ll catch you all next time.

Photos by Aileen Pangan Christian, Aimee Pangan, Andrea Smith, and Larry McClemons. Blog contribution by Hannah Knitting.

5 Reasons to Play the Day (Off) Away at Encore

January is quite the month for mini-camps. We’ve got two awesome camp days planned for when school is out, but your kids are in – engaged, that it! Read on to find out five reasons your kiddos should come play the day away at Encore.



1) All the Fun, None of the Hassle
Mini-camp is essentially a huge play date (see what we did there?) with tons of awesome kids who share your child’s interest in theatre and the arts. Even better? You don’t have to coordinate the car pool!

2) Change the Channel
During the chilly winter months, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of blankets, cocoa, and Netflix on the sofa (believe us, we know). Take this chance to log off and tune into some imagination!

3) A Trial Run
Perhaps you’ve taken one of Encore’s theatre classes in the past or tried out one of our after-school enrichment programs. Maybe you’re brand new – welcome! In any case, mini-camp is an excellent opportunity for your young artist to experience the full-day Encore camp experience for the first time. Bonus: you’re in luck! Early Bird pricing for Encore’s 2019 summer camps ends February 1st, so you’ll still have time to lock in that discount after they’ve had a blast at mini-camp.

4) Buddy Up!
Looking ahead to the sunny days of spring break? Many of our mini-campers also join us for one or more of our a la carte spring break camp days. Break will be here before you know it and it will be great to have some familiar faces to welcome your kids in April.

5) Speaking of Familiar Faces…
Many of our professional teaching artists create and play in both mini-camps and our weekly theatre classes. Our Winter session kicks off on the 26th. Come play the day away at mini-camp, then join your new teaching friends in their classes!

Our list boils down to this: Encore camps are about having fun with friends, old and new. We look forward to spending our holidays with many of you!

Camp Dates and Themes
MLK Day/JAN 21 – Incredibles
Grade Prep/JAN 28 – Wreck It Ralph
Parent/Teach Conf/MAR 8 – Robin Hood
Grade Prep/APR 1 – Paddington


Images by Aileen Pangan Christian, Larry McClemons, and Rebecca Pfeil. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.

5 Themes to Plan Your Child’s Summer

It’s the first winter snow storm of 2019! A perfect time for a cozy day inside and jump start on your summer planning! If you’re figuring out where to begin on choosing camps for the dreamy warm days off, take a look at 5 themes to plan your child’s summer:

#1 – The Music in Me
If your child loves to sing and dance, or like us in the office who turn everything we say into a song, check out our musical theatre camps!

Broadway Bootcamp for Ages 8-12 – July 8 – 19, 2019

Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, JR. Stage Door for ages 11-15 – June 24 – July 12, 2019 (No camp July 4)

Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins, JR. Stage Door for ages 11-15 – July 22 – August 9, 2019

Into the Woods JR. for ages 13-18 – August 12 – 30, 2019

It’s Elementary for ages 5-9 – there’s 30 minutes of movement and dance every single day!

#2 – I’ve Got a Funny Bone
Your in-home comedian can be a comedian on stage! Choose laughter with our comedy camps to sharpen your child’s storytelling improv skills.

Movie Mash-up for ages 8-12 – June 17 – 21, 2019

Tragedy vs. Comedy for ages 8-12 – July 22 – August 2, 2019

Shakespeare’s Love & Laughter for ages 8-12 – August 5 – 16, 2019

Improv-A-Thon for ages 8-12 – August 19 – 23, 2019

Summer Nights Live for ages 8-12 – August 26 – 30, 2019

#3 – Techie at Heart
For the crafty and creatives who are fascinated with lights, sounds, scenery, or playwriting, there’s an Encore “crew-ton” camp for you!

Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, JR. Tech Camp for ages 11-15 – June 24 – July 12, 2019 (No camp July 4)

Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins, JR. Tech Camp for ages 11-15 – July 22 – August 9, 2019

-Summer Stories for ages 8-12 – June 24 – 28, 2019

#4 – An All-Star Adventure
Whether you have a beginning explorer or a daring adventurer, we have camps that will ignite your adventure-seeker!

Around the World in 5 Days for ages 5-9 – June 17-21, 2019

Time Travel Treasure Hunters for ages 5-9 June 24-28, 2019

Space Pirates and Shooting Stars for ages 5-9 – July 8-19, 2019

Amazing Adventures for ages 5-9 – August 26-30, 2019

Lessons from Mr. Rogers for ages 3-5 – June 24-28, 2019

Circus Fun for ages 3-5 July 1-5, 2019 (No camp July 4th)

Under the Sea for ages 5-9 – July 22-August 2, 2019

Down on the Farm for ages 3-5 July 29-August 2, 2019

Olympic Champions for ages 3-5 – August 12-16, 2019

Sense and Sensibility for ages 11-15 – July 8 – 19, 2019

#5 -I’ll Take Magic and Mystery for 300, Alex
Dashing detectives and Magical beings wanted! These camps bring mystery and magic to life:

Mission Impossible for ages 5-9 – July 1-5, 2019 (No camp July 4th)

Crowns & Castles for ages 3-5 – July 15-19, 2019

Fairies, Gnomes, & Mythical Creatures for ages 5-9 – August 12-23, 2019

Encore’s Season Sampler for ages 8-12 – July 1 – 5, 2019 (No camp July 4)

BONUS THEME: Walking in a Winter Wonderland
And finally, here’s a bonus theme! How fun would it be to bring this snowy cheer into the summer sun?! Check out our camp inspired by our current frosty landscape:

The Sights and Sounds of Winter Wonderland for ages 5-9 – August 5-9, 2019
Snuggle on your thinking caps as you and your teammates stretch your imaginations to create a frosty landscape full of creativity, friendship, and fun! Go on a frosty adventure with Encore in our Winter Wonderland session.

Don’t wait! Our Early Bird Sale ends February 1st. Register for your most dramatic summer ever!

Photos by Larry McClemons, Madeline Pages, Rosemarie O’Connor and Aileen Pangan Christian. Blog contribution by Aileen Pangan Christian

#StudioSaturday with Patrick McGee

Happy #StudioSaturday, Encore fans. Today we’re thrilled to introduce another one of our newer teaching artists, Patrick McGee! With lots of theatrical and teaching experience under his belt, he is a welcome addition to the Encore family. Read on to learn more about Patrick and the new class he’ll be teaching this Winter session.

Encore: How long have you been teaching for Encore? In which capacities?

Patrick: I started working this past summer on comedy and improvisation camps for the teens and tweens. I’ve also been teaching some of Encore’s after-school enrichment classes. I’m excited to take on the new Actor Creates class series, starting this coming Monday.

Encore: What’s the most valuable skill that theatre has taught you?

Patrick: It has taught me to be confident in who I am a person.

Encore: Why is arts education important for young people?

Patrick: Arts education is important for young people because it not only teaches the art form, but it also helps differentiate lessons so that all learners can understand concepts and ideas. It helps build social skills while enhancing the artist.

Encore: Complete this sentence: “I’m most looking forward to teaching _____ because _____.”

Patrick: I look forward to teaching The Actor Creates because there are so many tools an actor has to develop and continue to hone in on throughout their career. This class excites me for the different “ah ha!” moments that can occur.

Thank you for sharing, Patrick. We’re excited to explore acting tools and levels with Encore’s new Monday evening class: The Actor Creates. This series of classes are designed to assist in the creativity of designing a character and strengthening the actor’s imagination, making the character believable using our voice and body as instruments.

Mondays, January 14 – February 11, 2019 (No Class January 21)
Four Class Session
Times: 6:00 pm-7:00 pm
Grades 6-12 NEW!
Fee: $75

Photos by Connie Polnow, Aileen Pangan Christian, and Clarence Chan. Graphic design by Aileen Pangan Christian. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.

Happy Trails to Miss Mara

This #FrontRowFriday, we bid a fond farewell to Encore’s lead teacher, Miss Mara Stewart. From Production to Education, Mara has made an incredible impact on the many students, cast members, theatre patrons, staff members, and community families with whom she’s interacted. While we will certainly feel her absence in the future, we want to take this opportunity to celebrate the wonderful presence that is Mara. Read on to read the Encore staff reflections on their time working with Mara:

Rosemarie: Mara brings positivity and to every classroom and rehearsal room she walks into. I had the honor of assisting Mara in a class last spring. Those kids hung on Mara’s every word because they not only respected her, they were inspired by her. All the best to Mara in her new adventures!

Madaline: I will definitely miss Miss Mara as the lead teacher in Education and a friend. Mara is delightful to be around and the kids love her. Mara is a team player and gives her all to assist whenever possible.

I unexpectedly had to teach a Broadway Kids class at the last minute and she took the time to share choreography that was quick and easy for me to pick up. Mara saved the day! The door is always open at Encore. I hope that she will visit us whenever she comes to the DMV. From all the kids at HPI, ¡Hasta luego! 🤗

Sara: Mara is the ultimate renaissance woman – she worked in almost every aspect of our organization and filled many roles. All of us will miss her enthusiasm, dedication, and passion for theatre education.

Shannon: Mara is a light wherever she goes. I loved seeing her work with our HPI and Early Childhood students with such creativity, joy, and kindness. Wherever she lands, they’ll be lucky to have her!

Aileen: Miss Mara is the coolest! Her Zumba warm-ups were always a hit and her choreography always made you want to get up and dance! Thank you for sharing your talent and passion for the arts at Encore.

Susan: Mara is a great person to work alongside. She is funny, thoughtful, creative and compelling. We will all miss her.

Rebecca: I love how Mara always sings her sentences around the theatre – her energy elevates the cast and makes it a fun environment for everyone. We’ll miss her a lot!

A.K.: Where do I even begin? Mara is what you’d call “one of the good ones” and it is very tough to say goodbye.

I have had the great pleasure of working with Mara in just about every capacity you can imagine, and I can truly say that she inspires me every day. From teaching together at HPI, working on productions, and sharing classes at summer camp, she has shown me that being a teacher is not a job, but a way of being.

She has taught me that the little steps are more important than where you end up. Nothing happens overnight. Looking back and seeing where you have come from is so fulfilling. I have learned from her that the end goal is only as important as the process it takes to get there. She has taught me to meet students where they are instead of expecting things from them. She has shown me how to challenge students in ways that make them feel comfortable. I have seen her work miracles with students that otherwise might not have shown up on day two.

I will miss her smile at the door, her puppy socks on Tuesdays, and her singing just about everything she says. Mara, you have become an incredibly important and influential person to me since I’ve been at Encore, and I will miss you very much as a teaching partner, fellow artist, and even more so as a friend. Thank you for all that you have shared and I hope that wherever you end up next, they know how lucky they are to have you.

*music note emoji* Goodbye to my friend Miss Mara. We hope to see you soon! *music note emoji*

While Miss Mara will be moving away, her lasting impact on Encore’s programs is undeniable, from the Healthy Play Initiative, Stage Door summer camp, Early Childhood classes, and beyond. Celebrate her contributions by joining Ms. A in our Early Childhood classes:

Tuesday mornings
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM
Encore’s Main Campus
4000 Lorcom Lane, Arlington, VA 22207

Wednesday mornings
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM
Kinder Haus Toys
1220 N Fillmore St, Arlington, VA 22201

Photos by Aileen Pangan Christian, Shannon McCarthy, and Cindy Kane Photography. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy and the Encore staff.

An Enchanted Line-Up, Coming Your Way This Friday

A quaint bookshop. A lovely owner. Some unruly jewelry smugglers. A group of famous literary faces – will they be able to band together to save the day? Read on to meet a few of our heroes and consider their odds of success.



Dorothy Gale
This plucky heroine is fearless in the face of adversity, keeping her new friends by her side to face down the odds. Come see how A Likely Story bookshop stacks up against the fields of Kansas or the magic of Oz.

Sherlock Holmes
The brilliance of this renowned detective is well-known – did you catch his escapades last season? Will his wit be the key to rescuing the bookshop from disaster?

Robin Hood
A popular figure this season, this beloved rouge loves a bit of well-deserved justice. Will the curtain’s fall bring about a merry end?

Heidi
The mischief of jewelry smugglers is certainly a change from this classic character’s quiet life in the Swiss Alps; how will she handle such drama?

Tom Sawyer
This notorious trickster has been on the wrong side of the law himself, but now his bookshop home is under threat. What is there to be done?

The Queen of Hearts
This strong-willed monarch has been turning heads for years here at Encore, in productions of Alice in Wonderland and A Fairytale Christmas Carol. Will she let an assault against the bookshop stand?

Long John Silver
Hardened by years as a pirate at sea, could Silver be one of the bookshop’s best defenders?

So what do you think? Does a group of wily jewelry thieves stand a chance against our band of literary heroes? Guess you’ll have to join us at the theatre this Friday, when The Enchanted Bookshop opens to find out!

Performance Dates and Showtimes:
Fridays, January 11 & 18, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Saturdays, January 12 & 19, 2019 at 11 am and 3 pm
Sundays, January 13 & 20, 2019 at 3 pm

Photos by Mary Anne Penning, Larry McClemons, and Aileen Pangan Christian. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.