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The Uwharrie Players are in rehearsal for their first production of 2024, “Miss Nelson is Missing.”

This musical adaptation of the children’s book is the organization’s second annual Theatre for Young Audience (TYA) production, their first being “The Hundred Dresses the Musical” in March 2023.

The show will run at 7 p.m. Feb. 23, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Feb. 24 and 3 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Albemarle Neighborhood Theatre.

The cast consists of adults playing children for children. Thanks to support from the Stanly County Community Foundation Grant and the Stanly County Partnership for Children, this show is free for individuals 13 years and younger.

The book, music and lyrics for “Miss Nelson is Missing! The Musical” are by Joan Cushing.

It is based on the book “Miss Nelson is Missing” and “Miss Nelson is Back” by Harry Allard.

The play is directed by Christian Payne, with Bradley Eudy serving as stage manager.

Payne provided a little info about the play: “Miss Nelson’s class is the worst behaved in the whole school. Spitballs flying across the room, paper airplanes sailing every which way and uncontrollable children send gentle, long-suffering Miss Nelson over the edge. But the students of Room 207 are in for a surprise when Miss Nelson goes missing and is replaced by Viola Swamp, a no-nonsense substitute who assigns piles of homework! The students learn lessons of appreciation and respect as they set out to find their beloved Miss Nelson … but will they ever get her back?”

The cast includes:

• Miss Nelson/Viola Swamp – Madeline Medlin;

• Poppy Hanson – Audrey Barringer;

• Principal Blandsworth – Blair Johnson;

• Detective McSmogg – Jacob Hoffer;

• Adam – David Joseph;

• Allison – Rebekah Ayscue;

• Gregory – Christian Payne; and

• Cheryl – Kimrey Lowder.