After a two-year hiatus, the Mediapolis Community Theater is taking to the stage again this month with its 18th production, a Broadway musical that began as a novel by a southeast Iowa native.

Director Linda Bouche will direct performances of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "State Fair" at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 26 and 27, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 28, at the community's home venue.

Originally a novel by Phil Stong of Keosauqua, the story of a farming family's visit to the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines was adapted for a 1945 movie musical of the same name (and again in 1962).

It wasn't until 1995, though, that it was adapted for stage, opening at the Iowa State Fair at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines. After eight previews, the show went big-time, opening at the Music Box Theatre in 1996, where it ran for 110 performances.

The show is filled with tunes one can hum leaving the theater, classics such as "It Might As Well Be Spring" and "It's a Grand Night for Singing."

Keith Brower and Lorene Ellerhoff have been cast as parents Abel and Melissa, with Shawna Van Nees and Eric Smith assuming roles as their children, Margy and Wayne. Dave Van Ness will play Pat Gilbert, and Beverly Schwerin will appear as Emily Edwards. A host of community citizens will fill other roles, as well as chorus members. A small orchestra will provide music.

All seats will be reserved. Friends of the Auditorium can reserve tickets now. Tickets for the public will go on sale Friday at $10 for adults and $5 for children (through eighth grade).

If seats remain, they will be available at the door.

The theater is located at Mediapolis school, 725 N. Northfield St.

Heading for Brazil

Four student musicians from the area will spend their spring break from Western Illinois University at Macomb in Brazil as members of the school's 37-piece Symphonic Wind Ensemble.

They are Tianna Streeter of Burlington, graduate student in instrument performance; Brady Schach of West Burlington, sophomore in musical performance; Chris Haas of Nauvoo, Ill., sophomore in music; and Karen Sanders, also of Nauvoo, senior in music performance.

Western students will be able to perform and record with professional Afro-Brazilian musicians. They will perform, learn and teach and will leave a quarter-ton of instruments for underprivileged children.

The group leaves Friday for the 10-day charitable, cultural and musical exchange.

Liturgical Arts Festival

Music, poetry and art are on the bill for this weekend's Liturgical Arts Festival XII at Parkside First Baptist Church, 300 Potter Drive, in Burlington.

Artists are asked to drop off their work from 10 a.m. to noon today and from 1 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

Receptions will follow music and poetry programs, scheduled for 7 to 8:15 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

Art will be available for viewing from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.