CAPE MAY – The 2013 season is months away from opening, but rehearsals are already underway for Cape May Stage’s first Children’s Winter Production.

“We have 14 children, from third grade to sixth grade, who signed on for the play,” said Debbie Lewis, an office manager at the theater company. “They are talented, hardworking and eager to learn. You really can’t ask for anything else.”

The kids are rehearsing a children’s version of “Cinderella,” Lewis said.

Lewis, a retired physical education teacher, relocated from the Philadelphia area after concluding one phase of her educational career and stepped right into the next.

“Thirty years ago, I had a big interest in theater,” she said. “I performed and worked in community and school productions. I am so pleased to be able to use this stage to offer this opportunity to local children.”

Lewis said she has seen changes and growth in students who take part in the performing arts, so she jumped at the chance to stage a play in the off-season.

“It is amazing to watch how the mechanics of putting a play together – learning lines, rehearsing, interacting with other cast members, building trust – can help a kid develop,” she said. “Theater builds confidence and teaches children how to be good teammates.”

The 14 cast members answered a call that Lewis put out in December, looking for an 11-week commitment to the production. Families are footing the bill for participation – at $150 each for the January through March activity, but the group is hoping that its box office reach goes beyond family members.

“We will be having four performances over two weekends in March, and I’ve already fielded some calls about the right age for audience members. I’ve been telling people the show works for all ages,” she said. “I’ve seen this version of ‘Cinderella’ performed by youth groups. It is really a sweet version of the story – the humor has layers, so there are jokes that kids will appreciate that will entertain the adults with them.”

The children’s cast is also getting hands-on experience in creating scenery and costumes, with the help of high school and adult volunteers.

All rehearsals, as well as the March 16-17 and March 23-24 performances, take place at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse at Bank and Lafayette streets.

Tickets are $5 each. Ticket request and payments can be sent to: Cape May Stage, 31 Perry St., Cape May, 08204.

For more information, call 884-1341 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Show dates and times are: Saturday, March 16 at 6 p.m.; Sunday, March 17 at 1 p.m.; Saturday, March 23 at 1 p.m.; and Sunday, March 24 at 6 p.m.