Tom Sawyer whitewashes Aunt Polly's fence

What do Hannibal, Missouri, and Marble Falls, Texas, have in common, other than both being river towns? Come May 8, it could be a whole lot of young folks who look like 1840s characters Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher.

The Hill Country Community Theatre is inviting area youths to dress-up like the characters from Mark Twain’s famous book and to compete for tickets for HCCT’s summer family musical, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

The Broadway musical version, written by Ken Ludwig, was based on Twain’s novel about a 14-year-old boy in 1840 Missouri on the banks of the Mississippi River. But for the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce annual Springfest on Saturday, May 8, the Colorado River and Lake Marble Falls will do just fine.

The fun event, which promises fence-painting,

Becky Thatcher & Tom Sawyer (Illustrations by True Williams from Mark Twain's novel."

photography, ice cream and prizes. will run from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the HCCT booth in Johnson Park. The contestants can compete as individuals or pairs in two age group categories: Ages 6 to 12 years old, and ages 13 to 18 years old.

Just like the classic and irresistible story, there will be whitewash and paint for the fence, of course. HCCT volunteers will photograph the entrants - digital and film - and send each one the photograph by e-mail or surface mail.

All participants and their families will have an opportunity to learn about the Tom Sawyer audition at 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 8, and other volunteer opportunities at the playhouse. They also will be treated to a refreshing “dip” - not in the old swimming hole - but rather a dip of ice cream.

Each boy and girl winning in each category will receive two tickets to the HCCT summer musical, which will be performed by about 30 adults and children from Aug. 5 - 22. HCCT is located at 4003 West FM 2147 in Cottonwood Shores, between Marble Falls and Horseshoe Bay.

For more information on the current show or tickets, membership, volunteer opportunities (box office, costumes, make-up, props, lighting, set building and painting), auditions or script checkout for Tom Sawyer, please contact the HCCT Box Office at 830-798-8944, or Executive Assistant Jennifer Jones at 830-693-2474.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR INTERVIEWS:
Preston F. Kirk, APR, Publicity, HCCT Governor, Spicewood, TX, 830-693-4447; F 693-9898, kirk@281.com