Final VPA play opens Friday

Valley Performing Arts is wrapping up its 29th season, and turning to a classic to end the year.

Tonight, the curtain rises on Of Mice and Men, the John Steinbeck classic. Director Larry Bottjen -- who has been with VPA for all of those 29 years -- leads the cast of the American tale.

Set in the depression, the story shows how dependency and poverty can cause friction, even among friends. An accidental death and the relationship between two friends becomes the heart of the Steinbeck story.

Larry Burton and Steve Cuthbert star as George and Lenny.

VPA veterans Sara Hughes, Kevin Cochran, Craige Baker, Ben Fauske, Jack Foster and Tom Jacobs team with newcomers Tim McKiernan and Calvin Rocquemore to round out the cast.

The show opens tonight and plays on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and on Sundays at 2 p.m., through May 23 at Machetanz Theatre in Wasilla.

Tickets are $13 and $16 and are available at CARRS TIX outlets, tickets.com or through the VPA box office. For more information, call 373-0195.

June summer camp

Valley Performing Arts is offering a summer program for students ages five through 14 in June.

The first session starts June 7 and the second session starts June 21. Janet Stotts of the Alaska Children's Choir will direct, and be assisted by Sarah Hendricks and Aurora Pease.

Sweet Charity

auditions set

Auditions for Valley Performing Arts' production of Sweet Charity, which opens the 30th season next September.

Auditions will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on May 22 and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on May 25 at Machetanz Theatre in Wasilla. The casting call is for 15 men and 15 women of varying ages, from 16 on up. No experience is required but prospective actors are expected to have a song prepared and come with sheet music. Rehearsals will start in June and run through the summer, mostly in the evening. Grant Olson is directing and Janet Stotts is directing the music. For more information, interested people can call Olson at 745-5831.