'Enchanted Bookshop': Children's production at The Barn in Willmar

WILLMAR - The Hayloft Players present a children's production of "The Enchanted Bookshop" by Todd Wallinger at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at The Barn Theatre in downtown Willmar.

During the day, A Likely Story may look like any other used bookstore. But at night, it's a place where magic happens.

That's when the characters inside the books come alive. Six of those characters - Dorothy (Emeri Werder), Robin Hood (Gibson Horyza), Pollyanna (Evelyn Johnson), Sherlock Holmes (Ethan Livingood), Heidi (Elsa Gustafson) and Tom Sawyer (Esmond Gustafson) - long to help Margie, the scatterbrained owner, played by Ariana Messer, save her struggling store.

But they're not allowed to leave the building or be seen by human eyes. So when a pair of smugglers come looking for a stolen necklace hidden inside one of the books, the characters are torn.

Should they warn Margie and risk disappearing forever? Or can they find a way to defeat the crooks without being seen.

Featuring additional appearances by such beloved literary characters as the Queen of Hearts, Long John Silver and Doctor Dolittle, this "charming comedy celebrates the joy of reading in a fresh, fun-filled way."

Other cast members include Evie Horyza, Evan Gustafson, Kelsey Cortez, Bailey Stahl, Seth Carlson, Addison Fladeboe, Adyssey Barrett, Anthony Buzzeo, Crew Werder, Amelia Willprecht, Nora Livingood, Eva Nelson, Sonja Madsen, Levi Miller, Noah Eckoff, Ayle Werder and Winsor Horyza.

The play is directed by Pauline Prawl and Sonja Madsen is the assistant to the director. Costumes are by Shannon Eckoff and make-up by Trevor Eckoff. Ethan Werder is handling lights and sounds and props are by Brielle Barrett.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, available by calling 320-235-9500 or thebarntheatre.com.

1/3: Erica Dischino / Tribune Margie, played by Ariana Messer, confesses to her worried cat Bombalurina, played by Evie Horyza, in “The Enchanted Bookshop.”

2/3: Erica Dischino / Tribune Sherlock Holmes, played by Ethan Livingood, gives a smirk during a dress rehearsal of “The Enchanted Bookshop.”

3/3: Erica Dischino / Tribune Heidi, played by Elsa Gustafson, from left, Tom Sawyer, played by Esmond Gustafson, and Robin Hood, played by Gibson Horyza, perform during a dress rehearsal of “The Enchanted Bookshop” at The Barn Theatre in downtown Willmar.