The Lion (played by David Bass) will need the help of the Mouse (Katie Lancaster) against the approaching hunters (Phoebe Singleton, Shelby Stacey) in Gingerbread Players’ ‘The Fabulous Fable Factory,’ playing this weekend.

A young boy discovers an old factory run by a Mr. Aesop and his seven fable-makers. Aesop needs a moral-maker; will this curious youngster fit the bill?

This is the basic premise behind playwright Joseph Robinette’s “The Fabulous Fable Factory.” This weekend, Gingerbread Players of Theatre Guild Valdosta presents this show with a cast of youngsters ranging in ages from 6 to 16 years old, says Bethanie Bass, the show’s director.

This is Bass’ directorial debut with Gingerbread Players though she has worked in theatre in other regions. With her son, David, participating in Gingerbread Players, she felt the desire to return to stage work.

With “The Fabulous Fable Factory,” Bass leads a young cast in a modern retelling of favorite Aesop’s Fables.

Some audiences may recall a musical of the same name produced a few years ago by Valdosta State University Theatre & Dance. The Gingerbread Player script is based on the musical by Robinette and Thomas Tierney; so there is a musical version, but there are no songs in this new production.

There are plenty of fun characters and interesting things to see. The production presents a fascinating contraption in the fable maker, spreading across one of the most eye-catching sets to ever dominate The Dosta Playhouse stage. There is also a slide which many young actors use to enter the stage.

This weekend, these youngsters will bring the stories of the Tortoise & the Hare, the Lion & the Mouse, and the Ant & the Grasshopper to life for a whole new generation of fable- makers.

THE CAST: Jackson Anderson, Jon Michael Slawinski, Phoebe Singleton, Kaitlyn Allbritton, Shelby Stacey, David Bass, Katie Lancaster, Maggie Tarpley, Kalyn Cooper, John Laurent Dean, Laney Rice, Katelyn Lancaster, Taylor Sparrow, Dion Candelario, Rebecca Lancaster, Abbi Long, Claire Hannasch, Lacy Ann McLeod, Stella Frances Blevins, Mary Bennett Dixon.

DIRECTION, PRODUCTION: Bethanie Bass, director; Brenda Brunston, assistant director; Catherine Allbritton, student director; Lynnette Kenworthy, technical director; Diane M. Brunston, stage manager; Robin McLendon, scenic artist; Parker Allbritton, light board operator; Mixson Anderson, sound board operator; Lois Allbritton, Andrea Slawinski, props mistresses; Aiden Slawinski, Beth Candelario, Carol Anne Cooper, props crew; Pauline Owen, Wanda Rice, Elaine McMillian, Mindy Sparrow, Meredith Lancaster, Kerri Dean, Melanie Hannasch, costume crew; Andrew Thomas, producer, master carpenter; Ryan Swaims, publicity.

SHOWTIME

Gingerbread Players of Theatre Guild Valdosta presents “The Fabulous Fable Factory.”

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Oct. 3-5; 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6.

Where: The Dosta Playhouse, 122 N. Ashley St.

More information: Visit www.theatreguildvaldosta.com