A brood of students unencumbered by the rigors of school has taken on the summer challenge of the latest Sing Hosanna! offering.

The youth and teenage production of “The Reluctant Dragon” opens June 29 at the Succop Theater at Butler County Community College.

“We have an energetic cast of 30 performers ranging in age from 6 to 19,” said director Ralph Christy Jr.

No stranger to the musical, Christy was the choreographer on this production 20 years ago when the Musical Theatre Guild did it.

“It's just a fun show with a great theme and some great opportunities for the talented kids in this area,” Christy said. “Themes of tolerating and being a good friend are always good messages to put out there.”

Playing the part of the main dragon named Dennis D. Dragon is Waylon O'Donnell, 15, who attends Moniteau High School.

“I've never played a creature before, and honestly though it's fun, it is a whole different experience,” he said.

Waylon tried out for the show because he had such a great time on the 2011 youth production of “Aladdin and His Wonderful Magical Lamp.”

“You really have to use your imagination when playing a character that is not real,” he said. “Using a different voice and trying to stay into the character of a dragon is pretty challenging.”

In “The Reluctant Dragon,” an 1898 children's story by Kenneth Grahame, a young boy discovers a reclusive poetry-loving dragon living near his home. They eventually become friends but the townspeople do not share his affinity for dragons and try to have the dragon slayed.

The boy, Joey Bisfick, who seeks out the dragon, is being played by Brecken Farrell, 11, a student in the South Butler School District.

“Joey is obsessed with dragons. He's read about them, but had never seen one in person until he connects with Dennis,” Brecken said.

He auditioned for this show because he wanted to try out for a lead role and have solos.

“It is pretty cool co-starring with a dragon,” Brecken said. The experience has been a positive one.

“It is way more fun than I ever imagined it would be,” he said.

“Which Way Should I Go?” is one of his favorite songs from the show.

But there is one thing that stretches his skills a bit. “There is one scene where we have a lot of dancing and I have to sing a song and I tend to get out of breath, so we are trying to work on that one a little more,” he said.

Moving the show along and guiding the audience are some Jester characters. One of them is played by Evie Fox, 12, a student at Butler Junior High School.

“I never heard of the play but wanted to learn more about it so that's why I auditioned,” Evie said.

“It is a positive and funny story that everyone will be able to relate to,” she said.

Evie had the lead in “Oliver” last year. For her, the Jester is definitely a closer fit to her personality, she said.

<B>WHO: </B>Sing Hosanna! youth production<B>WHAT:</B> “The Reluctant Dragon”<B>WHEN: </B>7:30 p.m. June 29 and 30 and 2 p.m. July 1<B>WHERE: </B>Succop Theater at Butler County Community College<B>TICKETS: </B>$15 for age 11 and older and $10 for age 10 and younger, available at May's Music Shoppe, 247 E. Jefferson St.<B>INFO: </B>724-285-3653 or 724-287-8362