After three weeks of practice, the curtain will rise tomorrow night on Sampson Community Theatre’s production of a Christmas favorite, ‘Babes in Toyland.’

The musical, which is an adaptation of an old English story involving dozens of Mother Goose characters, has a cast consisting completely of children and young adults, and is under the direction of Angela Martin, who seems to always have time to work with young people.

“I really enjoy working with children,” said Martin in a interview earlier this week. “They look at theater as a whole new experience.”

This is not the first time that Martin has taken on the task of directing youngsters. She has actually led approximately 20 plays and musicals with the majority of them staged for children. In fact, Martin said she gets a great deal of pleasure in knowing that she can open their young eyes to theater.

“The ability to show young people what theater is all about is quite rewarding,” the director emphasized.

According to Martin, theater teaches young people valuable skills that she firmly believes carries on beyond the theater.

“This teaches them how to work as a team and to not be afraid of public speaking.”

For some, the “Babes in Toyland” production is the first play they’ve been a part of, but many are already old hats when it comes to stepping out on the local stage.

Hobbton Elementary fourth-grader Kayla Morris is excited to take part in her third play, this time bringing the character Tom Tom to life.

“I think this is a lot of fun,” said Morris, who is the daughter of Newton Grove resident Kari Morris.

One of the cast’s older actresses, Logan Tart, may have just begun her teenage years, but she is becoming quite the veteran when it comes to acting. Tart, who is a ninth-grader at Harrells Christian Academy, said she has already contributed to nine productions at the local theater and 11 total plays.

She explained that she is quite content working in a sea of young children who look up to her for inspiration.

“I really do love doing plays with children,” said Tart, who is the daughter of Missy and Kim Tart.

In fact, she loves it so much that she hopes to major in theater when she graduates from high school.

Tart will also be sharing the stage with Butler Avenue third-grader Cameron Fardy, who is also excited to get up in front of an audince once again. In the musical, she plays Jill of Jack and Jill fame. With this performance, she will get to contribute in one more way than she had in previous shows.

“I have done several different plays, but this is the first one that I have had lines in it,” said Fardy, who is the daughter of Ashley and Troy Fardy.

Those interested in seeing this group of youngsters as they become babes in this magical toyland can catch the production at Sampson Community Theatre on Fayetteville Street. The productions are on Fridays Dec. 4, 11, at 8 p.m., Saturdays Dec. 5, 12, at 8 p.m., and on Sunday, Dec. 6 and 13 at 3 p.m.

Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by e-mail at silife@myclintonnc.com.