Pleasanton's Littlest Actresses Grace the Stage of Sleeping Beauty

Pleasanton’s Civic Arts Stage Company has brought the classic fairy tale, Sleeping Beauty directed by Rebecca Ennals, to the . But this not your traditional story of a sweet princess and wicked witches.

Presented in fractured fairy tale style, Princess Beauty has everything it takes to be a princess except a kind heart. The spoiled young maiden learns that beauty comes from within with the help of a quirky and non-traditional cast of characters.

Among the youngest of the members in the Spindles cast are Pleasanton residents, Minami Smalheiser, 9, and her older sister Nagisa, 12.

This is third year these talented young ladies have performed in the Civic Arts Stage Company’s winter musicals. They have also appeared in Cinderella and The Princess and the Pea the previous two seasons.

This year, Minami has been cast as courtier and she is thrilled to offer her talents to such a great cast and crew.

“I love singing, acting, and dancing,” she said. “I hope I get to this when I grow up.”

Minami is a fourth grader at . Although she loves performing arts, she is also a talented athlete and participates in soccer and softball.

Nagisa has been cast as a sheep and a courtier in the whimsical play.  Also a talented actress and dancer, Nagisa’s passion is for singing.

“I sing in chorus at ,” she said.  “Singing is my favorite part of being in the musical.”

Nagisa also participates in soccer and softball. Both girls are active participants in Girl Scouts.

When asked if stage fright was ever an issue, both girls agreed they had gotten over any initial nervousness.

“The first show always makes me nervous,” said Minami.  “The good thing is that the lights are so bright on the stage that you can’t really see the audience anyway. That helps when I feel nervous.”

The Sleeping Beauty cast will be giving their final performance this weekend.  Show times are this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Afternoon performances are Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Tickets are Adult: $10, $15, $18; Child and Senior: $6, $9 and $12. Group discounts are available.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.firehousearts.org up to three hours prior to the performance, by phone at 925-931-4848, or in person at the .

Box Office hours are Wednesday-Friday, noon-6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and for two hours prior to the performance.