DEKALB — The Light Beam Players, a youth theater group led by 17-year-old Cortland resident Elijah Botts, will be debuting their new original musical Secrets Lie Beyond. Botts wrote the two-act fantasy show, which features 27 original songs and a cast of 14 young performers from across northern Illinois. The story follows a boy’s search for his missing mother in a magical forest filled with mystical creatures.
Botts said that this isn’t the first show he’s written, but this one has connected with the cast.
“I’ve written around 11 shows now, and this is my favorite one I’ve written. It’s so cool to see how into it the kids are—some of them are even writing fan fiction about the show we’re doing.”
Performances are set for Friday through Sunday at the DeKalb Area Women’s Center, with additional shows November 22 at the DeKalb Public Library and Flagg-Rochelle Public Library. Admission is free, with donations encouraged to support the group.
Botts noted that he put together the show with his own music.
“I wouldn’t call myself a composer, I’d call myself a songwriter because I use tools to create the backing tracks, but I’ve written 100 percent of the songs for this show.”
DeKalb Area Women’s Center:
- Friday, 7 p.m.
- Saturday, 7 p.m.
- Sunday, 2 p.m.
DeKalb Public Library:
- Friday, November 22, 10 a.m.
Flagler Rochelle Library:
- Friday, November 22, 2:30 p.m.