Matchbox Children’s Theatre will perform “Stuart Little” this weekend, wrapping up its 43rd season of shows based on books.

Based on the E.B. White book of the same name, “Stuart Little” tells the story of a mild-mannered mouse that is a member of an ordinary New York family. The story follows his quest to find a dear friend while trying to survive in a “real people” world.

Matchbox Children’s Theatre is bringing Stuart’s adventures, big and small, to life on stage in story theatre style. The show is co-directed by Matchbox Children’s Theatre veterans Angela Donovan and Billie Jo Wicks.

“The thing that we love the most about this show is the opportunity it provides for the actors and the audience to have their imaginations sparked by theatre,” Donovan and Wicks said in a press release. “Our Matchbox mission is to do just this. Through the creative use of props and a simple but unique set, characters transform themselves and the setting right before your eyes.”

The show features 24 talented young actors, ranging in age from 8 to 14, taking on a wide variety of human and animal roles. The play is the culmination of the Matchbox Children’s Theatre summer camp in July.

All camp participants were welcome to be in the cast, giving them the opportunity to put what they learned to use right away.  The story theatre style of “Stuart Little” gives actors the unique opportunity to portray several different characters during the play. This is the first theatrical experience for some in the cast while others have been building their skills for several years.

The production of “Stuart Little” was funded in part by a generous grant from Austin Area Foundation, season sponsorships by Cooperative Response Center and Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Austin and the support of patrons.

Performances of “Stuart Little” will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 17-18, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 19, at the Historic Paramount Theatre.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for ages 14 and younger, with free admission for ages 2 and under.

Tickets are on sale at the Austin ArtWorks Center, on-line at austinareaarts.org, and at the Paramount Box Office starting one hour before each show.

For more information, call 507-434-0934 or visit austinareaarts.org or matchboxchildrenstheatre.org.

Cast

• Narrators – Kaiah Gibson, Lilly Loverink

• Stuart Little – Max Larson

• Mr. Little/Leroy – Ray Wicks

• Mrs. Little/Miss Swenson – Diann Smith

• George Little/Mr. Clydesdale – Izaeh Borg

• Neighbors/Passengers/Spectators/Drivers/School Children – Hannah Zerke, Riley Szyszkowski, and Eva Taylor

• Doctor/Store Keeper – Jadon Fimon

• Snowbell – Nathan Martinson

• Dispatch/Pigeon – McKenna Donovan

• Dogs – AnnaBelle Kasel, Olivia Felten

• Woman with newspaper – Julia Zerke

• Bus Driver/Tige – Kollin Miller 

• Dr. Carey – Megan Dilley Jones

• Referee – Sawyer Graff

• Margalo – Navaeh Corwin

• Zeke/Telephone Repairman – Isaac Zerke

• Hank/Superintendent – Caden Strampe

• Malty – Madison Hart

• Babette – Lilly Loverink

• Harriet Ames – Madison Hart

• Angie – Olivia Felten

• Reporter – Jude Hoveland

Crew

• Directors – Angela Donovan, Billie Jo Wicks

• Set Design/Tech Director/Construction – Michael Wicks

• Stage Manager – Andie Lewis

• Costumes – Jen Wiebrand

• Props – Billie Jo Wicks, Angela Donovan, McKenna Donovan, and Jenny Dreyer

• Light and Sound Design – Scott Anderson

• Sound Operator – David Hovland

• Lighting Operator – Amber Solberg