DANVILLE — For Danville Light Orchestra volunteers, the real show has been watching a group of 40 area schoolchildren blossom during the past two months as they prepared for this weekend’s presentation of the annual musical.

“I like watching the shy kid that comes in and just sits by quietly,” said producer Cindy Nichols. “And then by the end you see them running around on stage with all the other kids. It brings them out of their shell.”

“The end” in this case starts at 7 p.m. Friday at Danville Area Community College’s Bremer Center Theater with the first presentation of “Wipeout! The Musical,” a ‘60s surfer adaptation featuring original songs such as “Dead Man’s Reef” and “Luau Love.”

Two more shows are set for Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. and 2 p.m. respectively. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children and will be available a half-hour before the show.

Director and choreographer Stephanie Keller said DLO had sponsored the show, for kids ages 8-16, since the 1980s because it gives kids a chance to shine outside of traditional activities like sports.

“They’re all here because they want to be here,” she said. “I think it’s like it is for me for some of these kids — if I’m not doing this I’m climbing the walls.”

“We’ve got swimming kids and softball kids and kids with a large variety of interests,” Nichols added.

Most of the volunteers and many of the children have family connections with area performers, but Keller said, for a lot of kids it’s their first chance to see what the stage feels like.

And it’s the second go-around for the production team, with everyone serving in their first youth musical last year.

Keller said the crew enjoyed creating the show so much last year they couldn’t wait to start on a second one — which is dedication that includes three practices a night.

“Last year we took everything so seriously,” she said. “When something went wrong we thought it was the end of the world. This year it doesn’t seem to bother us as much.”

Keller said while play participants grew by 10 from last year, organizers do their best to accommodate anyone who wants to participate. Auditions are conducted to determine ability level, which can vary widely, and actors, singers and dancers all make their own costumes.

“It’s basic,” she said of the play, “but it does challenge them at the same time. They just love the way it sounds. It’s a little tight on stage sometimes, but moms and dads will still be able to see their kids.”

Keller, who also serves DLO vice president, said the organization has intentions to expand the program — though with three shows to produce itself each season, that’s been a difficult task to complete.

And while the kids have a good time, the adults get to play a little on their own. Since many members spend their time on the stage, it gives them a chance to work learn the production side of theater.

“I’ve been doing this since I was eight,” said stage manager Lauren Smith, a student majoring in worship ministry and voice at Lincoln Christian University. “It’s cool working backstage and I get to see the next generation of kids.”

If You Go

“Wipeout!” will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in the Bremer Center Theater at Danville Area Community College. Tickets will be available at the door or may be purchased in advance at BC Collectibles, The Java Hut, and Blue Kangaroo Books. For more information about Danville Light Opera, the youth musical, or the upcoming adult season, visit http://www.danvillelightopera.com.