Virginia Tech Department of Theatre Arts presents Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, one of three main stage productions taking place as part of the Summer Arts Festival 2008.

The play is about 45 minutes long and is especially suited for younger children. Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse is being directed by Michael Anthony Williams and will be presented free of charge on June 13, 14, and 20 at 7:30 p.m. and on June 15, 21, 22 at 2 p.m. in Squires Studio Theatre in the Squires Student Center on College Avenue adjacent to downtown Blacksburg.

Adapted into a play by Kevin Kling from a series of children's books about mice, Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse follows the excitement of a spunky young mouse named Lilly. Lilly loves everything about school, but when she brings her new purse and its treasures to class and is unable to wait until sharing time, her once adored teacher Mr. Slinger confiscates her prized possessions and Lilly becomes furious. The play portrays a world where joy and sorrow are absolute, friendships are forever, the line between allies and enemies is carved in stone, and everything can change with each new discovery.

Williams attended Beloit College from 1978 to 1982, with majors in theater and Sociology. Professional associations include The Screen Actors Guild, the Association of Television and Radio Artists, the Actors Equity Association, and the American Screenwriter's Association. Williams is a former member of the Second City Theater Company, and has been nominated multiple times for the Joseph Jefferson award (Chicago) and the Helen Hayes award (Washington D.C.). See a list of his regional theatre credits.

A gift of art, music, and theatre to the community, the 17th Annual Summer Arts Festival is a joint presentation by the Virginia Tech School of the Arts and the Town of Blacksburg. For more information on this and other events happening this summer, visit the Summer Arts Festival 2008 website or call Jane Harrison at the Virginia Tech School of the Arts at (540) 231- 5921.

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