BUCHANAN — In front of a backdrop of colorful castles and mystical looking trees, a mishmash of fairy tale creatures poised on stage during a dress rehearsal at the Tin Shop Theatre in Buchanan Wednesday night.

Clad in sweeping princess dresses, dark gray wizard beards and petite gnome costumes, youth actors  practiced enchanting their audience in a production of “Holka Polka and other tales.”

The children’s production opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Additional shows will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday and Aug. 5 and 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1, 3, and 4.

Director Kelly Carlin said the show is bound to appeal to a wide audience.

“It’s a really cute fairy tale. It is good for all ages,” Carlin said. “It takes place in Fairy Tale Land and there are witches, wizards, Humpty Dumpty and the Big Bad Wolf in it and Cinderella and her step sisters are just a few characters in it.”

In this magical mashup, fairy tale characters are on a quest to find out who cast a sleeping spell on the prince. The plot further thickens when it is discovered that magic could be in jeopardy in Fairy Tale Land.

Because of the play’s variety of roles, Carlin said the production is a particularly good play for beginning actors. This production is comprised of more than 20 actors between the ages of 5 and 17.

Carlin said a big emphasis on each production at the Tin Shop is giving the youth involved in the production the chance to be hands on with the variety of elements that it takes to bring a play together. Youth who take part in Tin Shop shows will help with everything from painting the sets and handling technical aspects to as acting. 

“I like the kids to be involved as much as possible,” Carlin said. “I just hope the audience sees how much work they put into it and how much talent they have and that they enjoy the story.”

For Rylen Baker, 15, of Buchanan, “Holka Polka” marked his first play production at the Tin Shop Theatre. Baker said he had wanted to be part of a Tin Shop production, but he feared it would interfere with his sports schedule. With school out for the summer, Baker finally got the chance to be part of the Tin Shop. 

Baker stars as the prince and said he likes tapping into the selfish characteristic that define the prince’s personality.

“The prince is supposed to be very full of himself, very like self-centered and everyone should come to him, because he is the best,” Baker said. “I just love playing him.”

Baker said acting in “Holka Polka” has been such a positive experience that he does not expect this to be his last performance.

“It’s been really fun, especially over the summer, because kids have nothing to do and this is something to do where they can meet and make new friends,” Baker said.

Niles’ Brielle Berberick, 9, is also acting in the play. Berberick stars as Brenda – a good witch on a quest to help Fairy Tale Land.

Berberick has been involved in a few Tin Shop productions and said she loves any chance to act, dance or sing and that taking on roles in Tin Shop plays gives her the chance.

With the play opening Friday, Carlin asked her community to come and be part of the magic of “Holka Polka.”

“I just hope that they enjoy it and they think it is cute and enjoy all the kids’ performances,” Carlin said.

Tickets can be purchased at the Tin Shop Theatre, Roe Street in Buchanan. Tickets cost is $5 for children, $10 for students and seniors and $12 for adults. For more information, tinshoptheatre.org.