‘A Little Princess’ opens today at Valley Performing Arts

WASILLA — The Valley Performing Arts production of “A Little Princess,” written by R.N. Sandberg, opens today and plays through April 17 at the Fred and Sara Machetanz Theatre, 251 W. Swanson Ave., in Wasilla.

Director Jackie Johnson, 2010 Alaska State Teacher of the Year and 2009 and 2010 VPA Summer Theatre Arts Program director, has chosen her cast: Grace Ivey, T. Arlie Reed-Lewis, Carlee Nufer, Sierra Bydlon, Ema Fiedler, Kaycee Nufer, Isa Weiss, Steve Impson, Dean Tampke, Melissa Kemlinger, Alexis Mattson, Bronte Beck and Mia Weiss.

In the play, Sara Crewe speaks English, French and Hindustani, has read almost every book in her father’s library and uses fantasy to imagine herself a princess. When her father, Capt. Crewe, goes off to fight in the war in India, young Sara is placed into the care of Amanda Minchin, head of an exclusive private school for girls.

Sara lives the life of a privileged child until her life goes from one of plenty to that of a housemaid. Miss Minchin agrees to keep her at the school, but in the absence of tuition payments, she has to work for her keep. When Sara befriends the Indian servant (and his mischievous monkeys) of a man who moves in next door to the school, she discovers that her future may not be as bleak as it seems.

Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $16 for youth and seniors, and $18 for adults. Groups of 10 or more may receive a 10 percent discount on tickets. For more information, visit valleyperformingarts.org.