Fountain Hills Youth Theater Presents Miss Minnie’s Melodramodeon

Poor Miss Minnie! She has been forced to become the reluctant manager of her old father’s melodrama theater, ‘The Melodramodean’ since he has suddenly and mysteriously taken ill (he thinks he’s a chicken!) right before the judging of the grand melodrama competition! Throw in a devious and insincere leading man, a deceitful developer and a large cast of misfits and ne’er-do-wells, and poor Minnie faces her biggest challenges ever.

Miss Minnie’s Melodramodeon is written and directed by Ross Collins, Artistic Director of the Youth Theater for the last 23 years. Over that time, Ross has won dozens of ariZoni Awards for Theatrical Excellence including for directing, sound, set, lighting and projection design, as well as for original works. Additionally, during his tenure, Ross created a YABOY program (Young Actors Benefiting Other Youth), presenting one work each season tackling issues pertinent to youth, such as bullying, depression, anorexia, special needs and more. The Youth Theater would then partner with a relevant non-profit in the Valley to assist in educating cast, crew and audience. Mr. Collins has worked with hundreds of children over the years, helping them develop important life skills, beyond theatrical ones, such as discipline, teamwork and respect. His motto “Let the Magic Begin”, is announced at the start of each performance, and magic is exactly what he brought to the Youth Theater stage. Ross will be retiring at the end of this season and, although he will be off for new adventures, FHT hopes to see him back to occasionally direct and perform! The Youth stage has been named the “Ross Collins Playhouse” in gratitude for all that he has contributed to Fountain Hills Theater.

Miss Minnie’s Melodramodeon will play at the Fountain Hills Youth Theater, in the Ross Collins Playhouse, located at 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd. in Fountain Hills, (1 ½ miles North of Shea Blvd. on Saguaro Blvd.). Performances are held Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:00 pm and Sunday afternoons at 2:00 pm from April 25th through May 4th, 2025. For tickets call the Box Office at 480-837-9661 x3 or visit https://fhtaz.org. Ticket price is $18. Group rates are available through the Box Office. This show is Rated G.

For additional information not contained in this press release please call Fountain Hills Theater Box Office Manager Allison Hacker at 480-837-9661 X4.