Weekend Winner: Stoneham Theatre Showcases Stars of Tomorrow

She wants to see La La Land. You want to see XXX: Return of Xander Cage. Sounds like you need a compromise. Or better still, how about bringing the kids to experience the theatre.

The stars of tomorrow take the stage this weekend at the Stoneham Theatre for the performance of four shows, all by some of the area's most talented young performers. "The Young Company" is Stoneham Theatre's year-round education program for students in grades 1-12, offering training in in acting, voice, and dance in a professional setting. This weekend's shows are the culmination of their efforts.

The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Junior will be held Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and is performed by students in grades 1-6. The show is the story of a 10-year-old boy who wakes up one morning flat. Stanley Lambchop soon discovers life can be amazing wherever you are, and whatever shape you're in. Stoneham Theatre suggests this "is a perfect musical to experience the magic of live theatre," and says its recommended for ages pre-k through fourth grade.

The Emperor's New Clothes will be held Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. and is a hilarious musical adaptation of the Hans Christian Anderson classic. Lasting 75 minutes and performed by students in grades 4-9, the show is about two con-men who present Emperor Maximilian the Most with a magic suit of clothes, invisible to all but the wisest men. The theatre recommends this as perfect for ages pre-k through seventh grade.

Mary Poppins is familiar to all and this production will be held Saturday at 4 p.m. The show runs two hours with an intermission and is performed by students in grades 4-12. Mary Poppins is the story of a practically perfect nanny who joins the Banks family in 1964 New York City. Remember supercalifragilisticexpialidocious? My spellcheck just exploded, but ya, it's from Mary Poppins. The Theatre recommends Mary Poppins for children in grades 3-12.

If you want a night out without the kids, then consider seeing Sweeney Todd. Running a little over two hours, the show has mature content, a little pretend blood and violence. Set in the back alleys of 19th century London, this Tony Award winning musical follows the unjustly exiled Sweeney Todd on his quest for revenge from a corrupt political system. It runs Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. and is performed by students in grades 7-12. The Theatre recommends Sweeney Todd for children in grades 8-12.

Tickets are $15. Stoneham Theatre is located at 395 Main Street. For more information go to stonehamtheatre.org.