Pace Academy's "Mulan Jr." Opens Feb. 20

Grace Pottorff (left) and Carter Ferguson (right) rehearse for Pace Academy’s Middle School production of “Mulan Jr.” with Center for Puppetry Arts puppeteer Spencer Stephens.

Staff Report

Ancient China will come to life when Pace Academy’s Middle School production of Disney’s “Mulan Jr.” takes the stage.

Travel with the talented cast to ancient China as Mulan defies the village matchmaker, takes up arms and disguises herself as a boy to spare her father from military service. The Huns have invaded, and it’s up to the misfit Mulan and her mischievous sidekick Mushu to save all of China.

Eighth-graders Grace Pottorff and Carter Ferguson lead the cast of 32 as Mulan and Mushu. “Our actors have been practicing their dance moves, songs, sword-fighting and puppeteering skills for weeks,” says director Patrick Campbell. “They’re ready to wow audiences with their portrayal of this heartwarming story of culture, honor and the fighting spirit.”

Performances will take place Feb. 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 22 at 2:30 p.m. in the Pace Academy Fine Arts Center. Tickets, $10 for adults and $5 for students, are available for purchase online at www.paceacademy.org/mulan.

Performances are open to the public. Pace Academy’s Fine Arts Center is located at 966 W. Paces Ferry Road NW.