SHERBURNE – The Sherburne Music Theater Society (SMTS) is excited to announce an open house at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 in the Sherburne-Earlville High School auditorium and lobby. The open house will last for an hour and will have fun memorabilia on display to provide visitors with an understanding of SMTS' history. Society members will be present so visitors can better conceptualize technical theater, stage makeup, costumes and the art of performance. Visitors will also be given a tour of the S-E stage.

Following the open house is an open audition for the musical production, 'Free to Be... You and Me.’ The audition will be open from 4 to 6 p.m. on April 26 and another audition will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. on Monday, April 28.

Rick Thormahlen is Director of the musical and has taught English and theater at Sherburne-Earlville. His combined experience of directing the S-E Drama Club and work with SMTS has resulted in approximately 50 productions to his name.

“We're looking forward to it (the musical),” he said. “We've been talking about doing it for four years.”

'Free to Be... You and Me' is based on a book and Emmy award winning TV show originally conceived of by Marlo Thomas in the 1970's. In 1991, the first play production was adapted and was picked up by Rodgers and Hammerstein, which has its own version of the show. “Life-enhancing themes are imaginatively blended with music and humor to expand children's personal horizons, enabling them to invent their own futures without limitation, while dispelling some old constraints and worn-out conventions in the process,” states its website. The overarching theme is that anyone is capable of achieving anything.

Thormahlen explained that his production is taking some creative license because he is doubling the amount of principal characters, while the Musical Director Jenny Larcher is including a large chorus performance at the end.