Fabulous fables take the stage in Elgin

The Elgin Theatre Company presents its latest summer play, "The Fabulous Fable Factory."

The show runs for six performances on weekends starting today and ending July 29 at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., on the eighth floor.

The children's play is based on the book by Joseph Robinette, with music by Thomas Tierney and lyrics by Tierney and Robinette.

Robinette is the author of more than 30 published plays and musicals, including "Charlotte's Web" and "Stuart Little." He has also dramatized the authorized stage version of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," and others.

The troupe, consisting of nine children ages 7 through 14, and one adult male, will dramatize Aesop's fables, Latrisha Jones is the musical director.

The play centers around a youth named Monroe who wanders into an abandoned factory and accidentally trips on a lever, activating an assembly line of seven actors who create fabulous fables.

Then she meets the factory, owner, Mr. Aloysius A. Aesop, who explains that the factory has been idle for over 2,000 years because of a missing part. The missing part is the "Moral Maker."

With the temporary help of Monroe, who has a talent for writing morals, the factory can write more fables. The troupe illustrates some of the best of Aesop's fables with bright and charming songs.

Performances of "The Fabulous Fable Factory" will take place at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and July 27 and 28; and 3 p.m. Sunday and July 29.

The cast includes: Becca Payne of Algonquin; Joey Adams, Bob Brooks, Abbi Koko, and Hannah Voss, all of Elgin; Julian F. Primous of Hoffman Estates; Latria Hooks, Cecil Jones, and Kiara Jones, all of Rolling Meadows; and Justin Green of South Elgin.