Bringing 'Glee' to Grafton

Apple Tree Arts presents a special evening of entertainment, “Glee Performance,” at 7 p.m. May 21 at , 24 Providence Road, Grafton.

Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students and seniors and free for children four and younger. Tickets will be available at the door.

 The show features the 17-member cast harmonizing and dancing in small and large ensembles and soloists singing pop tunes in a format similar to the popular “Glee” TV  series.

Ten songs will be performed including “Don’t Stop Believin,” “Lean on Me,” “Somebody to Love,” “Firework” and “Marry You.”

  “Our students wanted to try something different where they could focus on vocals and choreography without acting,” said Lisa Scarlett, theatre arts director, in a prepared statement. “We thought it would be a nice change to offer two programs, one that was purely dramatic, 'A Little Princess,' and this one, 'Glee Performance,' which lets them hone their singing and dancing skills.''

 The middle and high school students have learned to harmonize and dance together well in a short time. The performers are from Grafton, Westborough, Shrewsbury, Northbridge, Douglas and Millbury.

Grafton students include Ashley Scarlett, Colin Peacock, Delanie Burke and Noelle Scarlett.

 The show is co-directed by  Scarlett and Laurie Baker, early childhood music and theatre arts teacher. They have worked together on many productions including “The King and I,” “101 Dalmatians” and last year’s spring musical “The Nifty Fifties.”

Volunteers assisted in several ways. Connie Hopkins, Cheryl Cochran and Sue Wiermsa created pink gowns for the girls and matching ties for the boys. Parents helped with doing publicity, selling tickets and setting up the marquee.

 Founded in 1989, Apple Tree Arts, a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization has grown to serve over 1,000 children and adults annually with early childhood music courses, youth and adult music classes, private music and voice instruction, ensembles and theatre arts programs.  

For more information call 508-839-4286 or visit www.appletreearts.org