The Hope Summer Repertory Theatre's Children's Performance Troupe will be back for another season entertaining the young and the young at heart with two classic children's tales, The Enchanted Pig and The Story of Ferdinand.

The Hope Summer Repertory Theatre's Children's Performance Troupe will be back for another season entertaining the young and the young at heart with two classic children's tales, The Enchanted Pig and The Story of Ferdinand.

Trying to hog some of the Holland pig frenzy, The Enchanted Pig, by Charles Ludlam will debut July 5. Ludlam, who is known for his unique perspective in life, is also featured this season on the main stage (The Mystery of Irma Vep) In this children's play, Ludlam brings this Romanian fairy tale to new life. Expect to meet a fairy tale princess looking for her prince--only this time, she won't be kissing any frogs.

The cast is a group of talented acting interns chosen for HSRT and CPT through national auditions. Directing for his first time, Ross Williams, has worked his way up in HSRT from an intern. HSRT audiences might remember him as Padre in last year's The Man of la Mancha.

Performed in the studio stage in the basement of the DeWitt Center, The Enchanted Pig, can be seen at 10:30 a.m. on July 5,7,19, August 2,7 and 10:30 a.m., and at 1:30 p.m. on July 7, 17, 21, 31, August 4 and 9.

Making its Michigan debut on July 10 is James Sie's adaptation of The Story of Ferdinand, from the book by Munro Leaf. Leaf's classic tale is one of the century's best selling children's stories. Told through the music of Douglas Wood, Ferdinand, who's not an ordinary bull, will show us how to be ourselves while stopping to take the time to smell the roses.

This time the acting interns will be directed by James Saba, the artistic director of CPT since 1993. Saba, has been an HSRT favorite for eight seasons appearing this year as the lead in Tartuffe, and also in The Mystery of Irma Vep. This musical will appear in the studio theatre at 10:30 a.m. on July 10, 12, 17, 21, 31, August 4 and 9. And at 1:30 p.m. on July 10, 19, August 2, 7 and 11.

Tickets are available now. The ticket office is located in the DeWitt Center on the corner of 12th Street and Columbia Avenue. Ticket office hours are 10-5 Monday through Friday, 12-5 on Saturday, and one hour before all showtimes. Tickets can also be purchased by calling (616) 395-7890.