by April Helms
Special Products Editor
Young fans of "If You Take a Mouse to School" and other books by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond were able to see the story come to life at the Cuyahoga Falls Library on Oct. 24.
A cast of four actors -- Nathaniel Montgomery, Daniel McElhaney, Jim Volkert and Stow resident Courtney Vatis -- played the characters from the story.
The play was produced by The Illusion Factory, a touring theater company which brings theater to children and teens.
"If You Take a Mouse to School," which will be available through June, runs at about 50 minutes and shows what happens when one day, a boy takes his good friend -- who happens to be a mouse -- to school with him. After the show, the audience had a chance to meet with the actors and look at the set.
Barbara Ballance, the founder and artistic director of The Illusion Factory, said this show was challenging due to the size of it.
"This was a bigger show," she said. "We have a bigger set, more characters, and we have more than 40 sound effects."
Vatis, who just started working with The Illusion Factory, said she had "never done a touring company," and had never been involved in a show "with such a long run." But Vatis added she loved performing for the children who came to watch.
"You know immediately if you are good," she said. "Kids are also more forgiving of small mistakes and glitches, so you can relax more and just have fun with it."
For details on The Illusion Factory, about upcoming shows or about having a production performed, call 330-836-13533, or visit www.theillusionfactory.org online.