WEST PLAINS, Mo. – The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis’ Imaginary Theatre Company (ITC) will bring its production of “The Tortoise and the Hare” to the West Plains Civic Center for a 7 p.m. performance Friday, Jan. 24.

General admission tickets are $5 each and available at the civic center box office, 110 St. Louis St., between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays.  Children age 13 and under will be admitted free.  Partial funding for this production, sponsored by Missouri State University-West Plains’ University/Community Programs (U/CP) Department, is being provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.

Aesop’s classic fable comes to life in this musical production starring Henry the Hare and Shelly the Tortoise.  Henry is a racer, one of the fastest bunnies the forest has ever seen; Shelly’s a tortoise, Henry’s quietly devoted best friend.  Henry has always been the star of the show, until one day Shelly starts to have some dreams of her own.  With the help of their forest friends, Shelly realizes her own worth, and Henry finds out that sometimes being the best isn’t the most important thing.

“We are pleased to bring this wonderful performance of a timeless children’s tale with the support of the Missouri Arts Council,” said Emily Gibson, theater and events coordinator for the U/CP Department.  “It is always exciting to share live theater with our youngest audiences as they experience their favorite stories coming to life before their eyes!”

For more information about the production, contact the U/CP office, 417-255-7966  For more information about upcoming events sponsored by the U/CP Department, visit the website http://wp.missouristate.edu/ucp/.