Hear & Near (6/4)

Here: Library offers free summer reading program for teens

Teens can win exciting prizes by participating in Phoenix Public Library's summer reading program, "Read Your Own Way," now through July 26. The program is designed to keep teens reading during the summer and features weekly prize drawings and a grand-prize drawing for a video MP3 player.

Teens between 12 and 18 can register for the program at the Ironwood Branch Library, 4333 E. Chandler Blvd.

Teens who finish the program get a free ticket to a VIP wrap-up party and a chance to win a guest DJ spot on 95.1 FM Latino Vibe. Last year, more than 10,000 participated in the program.

Teens are invited to attend a free kick-off event from 3 to 5 p.m. June 5 at Cesar Chavez Library, 3635 W. Baseline Road.

For more information, call (602) 262-4636 or visit www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org.

Near: VYT's Cinderella features 8 local youths

Valley Youth Theatre wraps up the season with Rodgers and Hammerstein's timeless musical Cinderella June 6 through 22 at the Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St.

Valley Youth Theatre's lavish production features 47 young people ranging in age from 9 to 19 from across the Valley. Ahwatukee Foothills residents featured are Hunter Beetham (ensemble) and Celena Leland (younger sister), Mountain Pointe High School; Cori Brown (ensemble), Robert Carroll (ensemble) and Christine Margo (Joy the evil stepsister), Desert Vista High School; Jordan Daniels (ensemble), Arizona Conservatory of Arts and Academics; Brett Moellenberg (ensemble), Arizona School for the Arts; and Jaclyn Weeman (ensemble), Xavier College Preparatory.

Working alongside the youths in the role of the Fairy Godmother will be Broadway veteran Kelli James.

Cinderella opens June 6 and runs through June 22. Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays at 2 p.m. There is no public performance June 14. Tickets range from $17 to $33 per person and can be ordered through the Herberger Theater box office at (602) 252-8497 or online at www.herbergertheater.org/cinderella.

For more information about Valley Youth Theatre, visit www.VYT.com.