The stage has long been dark, cast into the shadows by the creeping presence of COVID-19 across the globe.

Tonight, Eastern Shore Repertory Theatre will open its curtains again and flood audiences with the colorful characters of “Seussical, Jr.” It is the first time in 18 months that many of the production’s child actors have had an opportunity to perform.

“It represents our first show back that many newcomers and elementary-aged children are able to be a part of,” said Director Erin Langley. “We are seeing so many young people who have never had the opportunity to be on stage before due to the Covid.”

As Covid cases dropped this summer local theater companies grappled with the decision to move forward with productions or continue to remain paused. South Baldwin Community Theatre in Gulf Shores is hosting two holiday shows in November and December, while Theatre 98 in Fairhope will return to the stage in 2022. Exit Stage Left burst through the curtain last weekend with a thundering production of “Rocky Horror Show”.

ESRT hosted its annual Theatre on the Bluff production in the spring with a performance of the Wizard of Oz and some social distancing efforts in place. The theatre troupe also recently performed “Godspell” in New York City’s Central Park.

Both of those productions featured teenagers and adults. “Seussical” is a first return to the spotlight not just for younger actors, but also for younger audiences. Classrooms from across Baldwin County will attend performances this week.

“It represents our first show back that many newcomers and elementary-aged children are able to be a part of,” Langley said. “Their joy and excitement is palpable. Although our focus has shifted to the back to the basics, it has been an extremely rewarding process to watch them discover the joy of live theater.”

It is also a reminder, Langley said, to both actors and audiences that despite the hardship of the pandemic, they are important in every single day.

“The central message is that ‘a person’s a person no matter how small’. We want our young cast and young audience to feel that despite the year we’ve had, their voices matter, and they’re welcomed to become the artists and people they’re meant to be,” Langley said. “We hope that “Seussical, Jr.” inspires new creativity and encouragement.”