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A phantom will be haunting the Missouri Theater this weekend, but you’ll feel more like laughing than screaming. In fact, you’ll want to bring the kids.

At 7 p.m. on Aug. 2 and 2 p.m. on Aug. 3, Creative Arts Productions (CAP) will present a comedy spoof of the classic mystery “Phantom of the Opera.”

“This is the farcical version,” explains Brady Greer, CAP educational director and former CAP actor.

This show, called “Phantom of the Op’ry,” is actually a vaudeville show within a show taking place in the 1920s, he says, with twists, turns and surprises the audience may or may not expect. And being a musical, there also will be fancy costumes, scenery, song and dance. Show merchandise for sale at the show, such as fans, gloves, fedoras and make-your-own masks, will add to the fun.

All ages should enjoy the performance, says Cari Richie, CAP board member. But she adds that another, perhaps even more important, reason to come is to support the kids. The actors are all children, ranging in age from 9 to 18 years old. For the past month, they have been practicing daily as part of the CAP summer workshop.

“You wonder how they can do all this — learn the lines, the choreography, learn the songs,” says Tara Stull, stage manager. “But they’re like sponges and absorb so much.”

“The kids work really hard,” Richie agrees. “It’s amazing what they accomplish.”

For Brady, his three years experience as a CAP actor helped direct his future career. He is now majoring in theater at Northwestern College and is enjoying helping children be able to have the same theater opportunities he had.

“Support the children,” he says. “If you don’t support them now, where will arts be.”

Tickets are $6 in advance and $8 the day of the show. Seniors $6 and children age 4 and younger are free. For more information on the show or to participate in future productions, visit www.capstjoe.org or call the Allied Arts Office at 233-0231.