Meridian Little Theatre’s CenterStage will entertain young and old alike with its presentation of Princess Whatsername,  Jan. 11-16.

    The annual youth production will be staged four times each day during the week for school children in Meridian and the surrounding areas. Schools not scheduled to attend are encouraged to contact MLT at (601) 482-6371 for seating availability.

    Doors will open Jan. 16, at 6:30 p.m. for the general public to enjoy. Tickets may be purchased at the MLT Box Office during business hours.

    With a classic fairy-tale setting, the play opens with Princess Whatsername, played by Lillie Langston, sleeping in the Misty Forest. She awakens to realize that she knows nothing about herself — not where she’s from or how she got here or even her own name.

    She embarks on a journey to discover her identity. Along the way, she meets Hansel and Gretel – portrayed by Justin Scott Jr. and Lauren Jade Dancy – as well as Rumpelstiltskin – portrayed by Danny Miller. She also runs into Snow White, who is played by Hannah Millar, and the seven dwarfs. The dwarfs are Cade Cooksey, Cooper Ransier, Jason Dowling, Jet Turbyfill, Julie Bell, Kerby McCracken and Nina Hay.  

    The dwarfs have invited Goldilocks – portrayed by Hannah Mae Sowell – and the three bears – portrayed by Olivia Pollock, Emmett Cooper and Marcy McCracken – to dine with them. Cinderella, brought to life by Abigail Lund, and Rapunzel, played by Hannah Cooper, are also in the tale.

    Meanwhile, Prince Reveille, Prince Adonis, Prince Swavey and Prince Hercules are in search of their princesses. The princes are Steven Miller, Brandon Goss, Jackson Palmer and Ethan Martin.

    No fairy tale is complete without witches and this story has two, who are played by Emma Kate Sowell and Virginia White. The good fairies found in the woods are Logan Polizzi, Gabrielle Coleman and Hannah Massey. The Fairy Godmother is Savannah Hutcheson, while the Evil Fairy is Macey McMurphy. Royalty of the Kingdom include Marcus Boyd, Summer Stennis, Kennedy Hearns, Courtney Vance, Eagan Tilghman. The Royal Servants are Emma Grace Alexander, Marissa Haney and Luke Hay.

    Completing the cast are dancers and tumblers: Anne Leigh Freeman, Kaitlyn Anthony, Mabry Jordan, Katie Lank, Brianna Anthony, Jalyn Branch, Lawson Alysse Freeman, Lexi Dancy, Kaylee Harrison, Madeline Millar, Charlee Castle, Claudia Butler, Ann Lee Haney, Gina Barrettl, Alllyson Underwood, Audrey Bell, Star Dillard, Claire Withers, LilyAnnCooper, Lucy VanVeckhoven, Sellers Breaux, Madalyn Walton, Camryn Church, Lani Taylor, Megan McGraw, Asalyn Pounders, Sara Lacy, Brooklyn Baughman, Skylar Earnhart, Shelby Robison, Natalie Wilson, Zoie McClure, Hailey McCarter, Kary Grice, Kennedy Grice, Lucy Payne and Chloe Stewart.

    The production is directed by Sidney Covington, Ellie Massey, Jonah Murphy and Carol Sue Wiggins.

    Sponsors of the production are the Downtown Optimist Club, Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors, and the Mississippi Arts Commission.