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The Gathering Place and the Dietrich Children’s Theatre will present ‘Balto: A True Story of the Bravest Dog in America,’ at 1 p.m. April 18 in the Clarks Summit Borough Building. Admission is free. From left, are Laurel Radzieski, Brenda Wenner, Josh Harris and Rich Ryczak.

Laurel Radzieski stars as Balto in ‘Balto: A True Story of the Bravest Dog in America,’ which will be performed by the Dietrich Children’s Theatre at 1 p.m. April 18 at The Gathering Place in the Clarks Summit Borough Building. Admission is free.

CLARKS SUMMIT – Children and their families are invited to a tail-wagging good time by The Gathering Place for Community, Arts and Education and the Dietrich Children’s Theatre.

“Balto: A True Story of the Bravest Dog in America” will be presented at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 18 at the Clarks Summit Borough Building, 304 S. State St.

Performed by the Dietrich Children’s Theatre, this interactive play follows the true story of Balto the sled dog, a four-pawed American hero. In 1925, when an outbreak of disease threatens the children of Nome, Alaska, the needed medicine is over 600 miles away. No one can get through the snow by plane, train, boat or car. It is up to Balto and her team to deliver the medicine and save the town.

The production is directed by Jennifer Jenkins and adapted for the stage by actor and playwright, Laurel Radzieski, who will play the role of Balto. The production will also feature local actors David Swanson, Brenda Wenner and Rich Ryczak.

Audience members should be prepared to join in the fun and the performance will be followed by a talk-back with the actors.

This is the second of four plays to be presented by the Dietrich Children’s Theatre in collaboration with The Gathering Place, a new nonprofit raising funds to transform the former Clarks Summit firehouse into an arts and education center. Other upcoming performances include Rudyard Kipling’s “Just So Stories” at 1 p.m. April 25 and “Lon Po Po: A Red Riding Hood Story from China” at 1 p.m. May 9.

The project was supported by a Lackawanna County Community Arts and Culture Grant. Tickets are free and will be available at the door while they last. For more information, call 570-945-8453.