Taking on principal characters in the Meridian Community College Arts & Letters Series production of “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Youth Edition” are, from left to right, Avery Agent in the role of the Queen, Maddox Davis as the Prince, and Jesse Mixon as the King. Presented by the Arts & Letters Series programs Take One and Stage 2, the musical will open on the McCain Theater stage at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 10 and 11.

Gather round, one and all, for the enchanting story of sweet Cinderella and her Prince Charming is coming to the stage of Meridian Community College’s McCain Theater Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 10-11.

Presented by MCC’s Arts & Letters Series, “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Youth Edition” is a production of the Take One and Stage 2 divisions. Take One is the Arts & Letters Series’ afterschool performing arts program for children ages 8-12, and Stage 2 is MCC’s theatrical training group for youth ages 13 through college.

Curtain is at 3 p.m. for both performances. Tickets can be obtained by going to meridiancc.edu/fine_arts.

In this specially created youth edition, audiences can experience the magic of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s original award-winning musical with the same characters and popular songs tailored for families all within a run time of 60 minutes.

First seen as a television spectacular in 1957 and remade for TV in 1965 and, again, in 1997, “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella” spins its own re-imagined version of the most famous fairytale of all. Musical highlights include such beloved songs as “In My Own Little Corner,” “Ten Minutes Ago” and “Impossible.”

According to the plot, Cinderella is forced into a life of household chores by her cruel stepmother and stepsisters, but dreams of a better life. When it is announced the kingdom’s prince will host a royal ball in hopes of finding a bride, Cinderella wishes she could go. After her stepmother and stepsisters head off to the ball, a fairy godmother appears and magically grants Cinderella’s wish.

The Arts & Letters Series production is put together by the directing team of Susie Johnson, Apryl Sharp, Jan Freeman, Nancy Gibson, Mary Emma Honeycutt and Catherine Freeman.

Playing the starring role of Cinderella is 13-year-old Elizabeth Simpson. Portraying other principal characters are Avery Agent, Queen; Travis Boston and Jareth Tanner, Herald; Maddox Davis, Prince; Magnolia Lauderdale, Joy; Jesse Mixon, King; Olivia Nutt, Portia; Cooper Tibbetts, Godmother, and Allie Wyman, Stepmother.

“I like being able to work hard toward a goal. I love the character of Cinderella and how much of a dreamer she is,” said Elizabeth, who is a member of Take One.

She is joined on stage by her siblings Eli, 15, Nathaniel, 12, and Samuel, 9, who play multiple roles in the production. Eli plays the butcher, a town father and a ball guest. Nathaniel plays a member of the palace staff, a horse and a ball guest, while Samuel is cast as a page, a horse and another ballroom guest.

Eli said he enjoys the connections he makes with other cast members during a production.

“I like performing because of the adrenaline I feel on the stage,” he said.

Also performing in the musical are Cambree Allen, Kinsley Allen, Anna Armstrong, Elijah Ash, Abby Kate Battle, Hayley Beckham, Cadence Bradley, Elizabeth Crudup, ME Dial, Charlotte Dues, Abbie Ellis, Reese Gressett, Anne Gianakos, Sadie Hoffman, Alyana Jensen, Reylan Jensen, Ja’Miyah Kersh, Maggie Martin, Kinsley Meador, Mann Mitchell, Elizabeth Rose Pollard, Isabel Polson, LaDarious Ransom, Aubrey Sample, Rhiannon Tanner, Hailey Truman, Addie Walker, Wyatt Walker, Jackson Ward, Jake Weir, Martha Kate White, Mary Frances White and Madison Worthy.

Tickets for “Cinderella, Youth Edition,” are $10 for adults and $5 for children and non-MCC students. Admission is free for those with MCC identification.

Visit meridiancc.edu/artsandletters for more information about “Cinderella, Youth Edition,” the Arts & Letters Series or the Take One and Stage 2 programs.