Audiences of all ages will enjoy the classic tale Jack and the Beanstalk when the Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) and more than 50 local students perform at the Ashe Civic Center on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Adapted by Jim Caron with music composed by Michael McGill, Beanstalk will tell the tale of a young boy who plants magic beans in his own backyard. For young Jack it is the beginning of a great adventure. With help of a little magic and a vegetarian Giant, Jack learns a valuable lesson about true happiness. This production features a host of other characters, including Magic Harp, Jill, Mother, Milky White, the farmers, the Merchants, the Circus Performers and the Magic Beans. The Missoula actor/director team includes Kyra Loelling and Liz Pasco.

Playing the title character, Jack, is local student Oliver Moss. Other featured performers include MacKenzie Krips as Mother, Zachery Emerson as the Giant, Erika Khalil as Jill, Tiffany Rash as Milky White and Anna Robertson as Magic Harp. The Merchants are made up of Camden Current, Gracie Greene, Taylor Krips, Skylar Morrin, Morgan Richey, Anna Robertson and Andrew Shepherd. The Farmers will be played by Molly Dawes, Lydia Graham, Nathan Howell, Chad Jenson, Katie Orr, Caitlin Miller, Munroe Robinson and Devin Sullins. The Circus performers will be Hannah Anderson, Savannah Anderson, Alan Baker, Trent Baker, Ashley Barr,  Emma Cambre,  Nicholas Chamberlain, Rachel Edwards, Brooke Galloway, Kattie Krips, Lindsay McGinnis, Mary Morgan, Luke Osborne, Jake Reavis, Mary Robinson and Ariel Worrell. The Magic Beans will be played by Thomas Galloway, Emily Huskins, Grady Holleman, Preston Krips, Paige Lewis, Amaliyah Shatley, Wil Simmons, Martin Spencer and Sirena Roe. Alex Katz, Ryan Lewis and Robin Wilson will serve as assistant directors throughout the week.

Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT), the nation’s largest touring children’s theatre, has been touring extensively for more than 30 years and will visit nearly 1,100 communities this year. All MCT shows are original adaptations of classic children’s stories and fairytales, a twist on the classic stories. Creativity, social skills, goal achievement, communication skills and self-esteem are all characteristics that are attained through the participation in this unique, educational project. MCT’s mission is the development of life skills in children through participation in the performing arts.

Seating is general admission. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and are available at Ashe Arts Center and will be available at the door.

The Missoula Children’s Theatre residency is presented locally by Ashe County Little Theatre, Ashe Civic Center and Ashe County Arts Council. For more information, call the Ashe County Arts Council at (336) 846-2787.