‘The Aristocats KIDS’ performance happening at Sunrise Mall

By Sara Beth Williams–
Royal Stage Theatre is presenting a production of The Aristocats KIDS, beginning Thursday, April 18, and running through the weekend.

“I’m so excited to see what our youngest performers do,” Royal Stage Visual and Performing Arts founder Tammy Warta told The Sentinel, adding that kids are unpredictable, which makes live theater fun and different every time. Warta said that the performing arts group chose to put on The Aristocats KIDS because the show is “recognizable, easy to learn and a lot of fun.”

The Aristocats KIDS is a stage adaptation of the 1970 animated Disney film and features a cast of 20 kids under 12, according to Warta. The production features multiple songs and dances, including some familiar songs from the animated film.

The premise involves four wealthy Parisian cats who are kidnapped by the house butler and left in a ditch outside the city. Duchess, the mother, and her three kittens, meet an alley cat who agrees to help them find their way back home. After escaping a pack of dogs and exploring the city, the cats finally arrive home, but the same butler traps them all over again.

The goal of Royal Stage is to offer a “safe place” to learn dance, singing and theater for all genders, and people from all walks of life, regardless of socioeconomic status, according to their website. Royal Stage has worked with multiple youth services and children’s homes.

“Everyone should be treated like royalty – we are all sons and daughters of a King, and we deserve to be treated with love, respect and encouragement,” Royal Stage states on their website, adding that instructional staff teach “professionally and lovingly” toward people of all faiths and backgrounds.

Two previous Spring productions, Dear Edwina, along with Anastasia, recently concluded weekend runs in the beginning of April, according to Warta. The performing arts group also has plans to put on a production of The Little Mermaid in late summer. More information can be found on their website.

Royal Stage also hosts seasonal classes and performing arts and sports camps during the summer at three different locations, including one at their theater space inside the Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights. The camps are each one week long, and feature dance, arts and crafts, theater and water games. A sports camp is also available, only at The Lifehouse Church in Rocklin.

The Royal Stage Theater is located at 6174 Sunrise Blvd., inside the mall in between Macy’s Men’s and Zumiez on the Greenback side. Doors open 15 minutes prior to each performance. Information on showtimes and ticket information is available at royalstage.org.