In our commitment to support local artists, Matchbox Children’s Theatre returns to the historic Paramount Stage with “The Magic Flounder,” with an original script by Rochester-based playwright Joan Sween.

According to her website, Sween is an experienced writer, having written plays since she was quite young.

She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in theatre and English, and founded the Rochester Playwright Festival and Minnesota Writers’ Alliance. Her one-hour children’s play, “The Magic Flounder,” is a dramatization of “The Fisherman and his Wife,” the old tale of a magic fish, and what can happen when people are not satisfied with the good life they have.

This show will feature a large cast of 37 local actors, from adults to young children. The play is directed by Angela Donovan and assistant directed by Madlain Vander. This duo teamed up last December for the St. Lucia Festival, which Vander directed and produced and Donovan assistant directed.

The Magic Flounder will also feature nearly 100 new costumes by costume designer Carley Carranza, with support from Vander.

Join us for one of the first performances of this fun, magical script. The show runs at 7 p.m. on Feb. 10-11 and 2 p.m. on Feb. 12. Tickets can be purchased at the Paramount Theatre, Sterling Main Street, and Austin Hy-Vee. For more information visit matchboxchildrenstheatre.org.

Hawaiian guitarist George Kahumoku, Jr. will be performing at the Paramount at 3 p.m. on Feb. 19. Tickets can be purchased at paramounttheatre.org or by calling 434.0934.