It’s theatre season and what better place for Towne Lake and Cypress Fairbanks residents to enjoy a good show than the Cypress Academy of Performing Arts. While we’re waiting for Spring this is the perfect time to sit back and enjoy the show, at Cypress Academy you can watch as the characters come to life in ‘Once Upon a Mattress,’ ‘Big Bad Musical,’ and ‘Comic Book Artist.’

The Cypress Academy of Performing Arts is headed by a director whose passion is to teach and mentor children - to realize the dream behind the gleam in their eye and make it a reality. Maggie Ford, dancing from the time she could walk and singing from the time she could talk, is the program director supported by a professional team of singers and dancers. Maggie’s experience is in musical theatre, acting, vocal performance as well as tap and she is joined by Ana Acevedo, Ashley Horn, Angela Lanceford-Fry, and Stephanie Smith. Together they have experience dancing jazz, lyrical, modern, tap, ballet, and pointe.

Mrs. Ford enjoys each and every show, “I get to relive that magic every time I put on a show. I am one of the lucky ones. Very few people get to do what I do and I must thank all of you for the opportunity that has been given to me.”

You can join her in enjoying each and every show by checking out the theatre during these dates/times:

January 16-17, and 22-24 ‘Once Upon a Mattress’ will showcase as directed by Gary Crawford and choreographed by Maggie Duncan. This fairy tale spin features King Sextimus, his wife Queen Aggravian, their son Prince Dauntless, Princess Winnifred the Woebegone, and Lady Larken and Sir Harry the townsfolk. This tale is how the terrible queen tries to rule while her husband has lost his voice under a curse, preventing her son from marrying and taking over. Watch as the secret words are spoken and the curse is broken amidst the prince finding his true love.

February 2010 (Call for exact dates) ‘Comic Book Artist’ will come to life per the direction of Lindsay Sloan, as the first student directed play at the Cypress Academy. Watch as magical pens in the hands of comic book artists bring characters to life, and one patient janitor, Stanley Leonardo Sappovitz - with big dreams of becoming a comic book artist – gets the chance to become a hero. The magical pens bring to life a villain who can stop time, but Stanley has a chance to create heroes that can stop the evil Doctor Shock Clock. It’s a play with time as Star Guy finds a way to triple time with his super fast speed. Watch as the magic unfolds, page by page.

February 2010 (Call for exact dates) ‘Big Bad Musical’ will be directed by Sarah Smith and choreographed by Ashlyn Maddox as the first student directed musical. Get ready for a high stakes lawsuit as Little Red Riding Hood, her grandmother, the Three Little Pigs and the Shepherd in charge of the Boy Who Cried Wolf take the Big Bad Wolf to court. The two greatest minds in the Enchanted Forest, the Evil Stepmother and the Fairy Godmother , go head to head as they battle the question ‘Was the wolf born a criminal, or was he made one?’ Watch their arguments, singing and dancing, and decide for yourself.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under the age of 12. To purchase tickets or to learn more about how your child can be part of this company please call 281-469-4599 or email cypresstheatre@aol.com or visit www.cypressacademy.com/perfarts

As Founder and Program Director Maggie Ford expresses on her site, “Here at Cypress Academy we have a strong commitment to each and every child that walks through our door. It's our job to educate and encourage each student and help them become their personal best at whatever they choose to do. At Cypress Academy every child is a star!” The Academy is currently taking fall enrollment by setting up auditions and evaluation appointments. They also offer private voice and piano lessons for ages 6 and up.