Crystal Lake Girl plays lead role in "HEIDI", on stage this spring at Provision Theater.

Provision Theater Company's Theater for Young Audiences is thrilled to present a world-premiere adaptation of the literary classic Heidi this spring. A timeless classic for the whole family, the sixty-minute family-friendly adaptation runs March 26 – April 17 with performances on Saturdays at 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. at Provision Theater, 1001 W. Roosevelt Rd., Chicago, IL 60608. Special 10:00 a.m. performances will be held on April 6 and April 13. There will be no performance on March 27.

Joining the cast is young Crystal Lake Actress Peyton Shaffer who will play the lead role of Heidi. Shaffer’s previous theater credits include Paramount Theatre, Aurora: A Christmas Story the Musical (Nancy); Mary Poppins (Jane Banks); Music Man (Amaryllis); Annie (Kate); Porchlight Music Theater: Far From Heaven (Janice Whitaker); 16th Street Theater: Merchild (Adam); Drury Lane Oakbrook: Billy Elliot (Debbie); LesMis (Young Eponine); Suessical (JoJo); Light Opera Works: Fiddler on the Roof (Bielke); Annie Get Your Gun (Little Girl). Shaffer currently attends Lundahl Middle School.

This world-premiere adaptation of the perennial children's favorite Heidi tells the story of a lively orphan girl who goes to live with her bitter grandfather in a little hut high in the Alps. Soon she is happy and healthy, leading a carefree life with her grandfather, her new fried, Peter, and the goats on the Alm. But Heidi's happiness is short-lived when she is sent to stay with a rich city family as a companion for a sick girl, Klara. Although she grows fond of the older girl, Heidi is terribly homesick. She eventually returns to the Alps and finds happiness once again with her grandfather in the clean, pure natural mountain setting.

"This fresh, endearing work by Timothy Gregory fully captures the heart of this classic work of children's fiction. The beauty of this new adaptation is that it reveals the transformative power of a little girl's ability to shine light into the lives of everyone around her--even those with a crippled spirit or a hardened heart," says director Priscilla Hummel."Audience members both young and young at heart are bound to fall in love with their beloved heroine--whether for the first time or all over again."

Additional cast members include Mike Rogalski (Alm Uncle), Jessica Thigpen (Dete), Chloe Jancosek (Klara), Jon Hatje (Peter), Jane deLaubenfels (Fraulein Rottenmeier), Sean Thomas (Herr Sesemann), Jann Iaco (Barbel/Tinette), Kirk Swenk (Reverend/Sebastian), and Jon Metzger (Terrible Turk/Little Bear). The children’s choir includes Lena Davis, Evelyn Halbach, Nico Thomas Hrzic, Brigid Madden, Joseph Nelson, Kylie Sullivan, Lis Sullivan and Chris Tucker.

Heidi will be directed by Priscilla Hummel and is adapted by Timothy Gregory, featuring original music by composer Gary Fry. The production team includes Scenic Designer and Technical Directer Carl Ulaazek, Costume Designer Paula Kenar, Sound Designer David Pierczynski, Lighting Designer, Austin Dambacher, and Production & Stage Manager Jessica Banaszack.

Ticket prices for Heidi are $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 & under. Free parking is included, and groups of 10 or more receive 10% off. For tickets, call the box office at 312-455-0066 or visit ProvisionTheater.org. Follow Provision on Twitter @ProvisionTC.

About Provision Theater Company
Provision Theater Company is a non-profit equity theater devoted to producing works of hope, reconciliation and redemption; works that challenge us to explore a life of meaning and purpose. Provision Theater Company has celebrated numerous critically-acclaimed productions including HEAVEN, HOW I GOT HERE, OLD WICKED SONGS, ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, CHRISTMAS ON THE AIR, JACOB, A CHRISTMAS MEMORY & THE THANKSGIVING VISITOR, RED LETTER JESUS, SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY, SHADOWLANDS, THE HIDING PLACE, COTTON PATCH GOSPEL, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, C.S. LEWIS ON STAGE, THE FOREIGNER, THE SPITFIRE GRILL, BEAST ON THE MOON, FISH EYES, SHAW VS. CHESTERTON: THE DEBATE, THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE OF JONATHAN TOOMEY, BONHOEFFER'S COST, THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE, SANDERS FAMILY CHRISTMAS, GODSPELL, SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN, THE BOYS NEXT DOOR, and THE GOSPEL OF JOHN.