VALDOSTA – J.R.R. Tolkien’s book, “The Hobbit,” runs about 300 pages.

Three movies based on the book had a total running time of about nine hours.

The Valdosta Middle School Players live stage version of “The Hobbit” runs about an hour and 15 minutes, said Toni Jarvis, director.

The public performance is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, Valdosta High School Performing Arts Center, 3101 N. Forrest St. The cast will also perform the show Friday for VMS students.

The story is the children’s tale, the prologue leading to Tolkien’s epic, “The Lord of the Rings.”

VMS Players synopsis: “It’s unusual for a modern work to become a classic so quickly, but Tolkien’s ‘Ring’ stories, which began with ‘The Hobbit,’ clearly are in this very special category. They stir the imagination and intellect of everyone they touch. Bilbo, one of the most conservative of all Hobbits, is asked to leave his large, roomy and very dry home in the ground in order to set off as chief robber in an attempt to recover an important treasure.”

Jarvis said the story resonates for her personally.

“This is … a personal experience for me,” Jarvis said. “My father loves Tolkien and his works. He would read ‘The Hobbit’ to me when I was a baby and we watched the 1977 (animated) movie all the time.”

The old cartoon running time is similar to the play – about an hour and 15 minutes.

THE CAST: Zachary Williams, Toni Salami, Chance Knowles, Niara Walker-Potts, Lauren McTier, Karsyn Boyd, Meg Barfield, Razyiah Walton, Syteria Carter, Jamya Smith, Kaili Spells, Timi Asebiomo, Aniya Davenport, Mirycle Wilkerson, Devan Bush, Maddie Neimi, Katie Ortmyer, Jaclyn Taylor, Amira Lock, Kenneth Clark, Kimiyata Gordon, Audrey Rhoads, Desmon Yearby, Hannah Audain, Andre Gunn, Kenneth, Kimiyata, Katie, Jaclyn, Amira, Kimberly Stewart, Josie Sims, Jyaira Franklin, Zariya Mays, Kamira Dawson, Briana Jones, Fiora Shen, Branden Dawson, Jordon Tucker, Jasmine Jones, Breanna Scott, Olivia Moss, Dearia Callins, Kort Johnson, Shardasha Simmons, Tatum Carroll, Coco Campa, Alijah Rhodes, Jakaizia Wells, Semykia Phillips, Breanna Bostick, Jakeeda Wells, Synoria Collins

DIRECTION, PRODUCTION: Toni Jarvis, director; Paul Jarvis, fight scene coordinator; Savannah Oelkers, student director; Maryelyse Wilson, light board; Anitra Ashmore, sound board; Karizma Wright, props, costumes; Kehmya Williams, set lead; Cinthia Williams, curtains, flylines, stage ninja; Tamia Beamon, stage ninja; Anitra Ashmore, publicity, stage ninja; Raziyah Walton, understudy.