Another early 19th century play is coming to Ames, only this time the cast will not consist of professional actors or Iowa State students.

“The production will be performed by elementary school children ranging in age from 10 to 14,” said Carole Horowitz, president of the Children’s Theater of Ames and producer of “The Frog Prince.”

“In all, there will be 14 children from eight elementary schools in Ames, plus one cast member from Slater,” she said.

Horowitz and the theater will present a musical adaptation of the classic Brothers Grimm tale “The Frog Prince” beginning this Friday evening at 7:30 in the Meeker Elementary School Auditorium.

The production combines song, dance and comedy to tell the classic story of a prince who has been turned into a frog by an evil witch.

The main cast is visited by all types of characters, including a princess who casts a spell on the prince, several singing frogs, a snake who enjoys eating those frogs and a silly jester.

“I feel the play is important because it offers an opportunity for young people to express themselves through the arts,” Horowitz said. “It opens the door to audience education.”

The Children’s Theater of Ames puts on one public experience a year and collaborates frequently with the Iowa State Theater and the Ames Community Theater.

Directing “The Frog Prince” is Keith Wirtz, a graduate of Iowa State University, who has had extensive experience in designing costumes, acting and directing many theater events.

Wirtz has also directed several plays for the Children’s Theater of Ames.

The music for “The Frog Prince” has been arranged by Maureen Friedrich, a former music teacher who has also been involved in many children’s theater productions.

According to Horowitz, the sets are being made by fourth grade students from Meeker Elementary School under the supervision of Susan Norris, an art teacher at the school.

“The costumes are also going to be unique,” Horowitz said. “The frog and the princess costumes are being borrowed by the Ames Community Theater, while the other costumes are being done by a few of the parents of the performers.”

“The Frog Prince” will also be presented at 7:30 p.m. March 28 and 29 and at 2 p.m. March 22 and 29 in the Meeker School Auditorium, located on the corner of 20th Street and Burnett in Ames.

Tickets to the production are $5 and can be purchased at Alphabet Soup, 223 Main Street and at the Carr Hardware North/Postal Substation in Ames. For more information call 292-9454.