GETTING FANCY As Nancy and her friends prepare for their first stage show, she is sure she and her best friend will be cast as mermaids. Instead, she is given the role of a dull, brown tree. What’s a girl to do?

You can find out in “Fancy Nancy: The Musical’’ presented by Boston Children’s Theatre at the Larcom Theatre in Beverly Saturday, Sept. 24, through Oct. 9.

“We are so excited to bring one of Boston Children’s Theatre’s most popular shows to the Larcom Theatre,’’ said executive director Toby Schine. “Our talented cast of young actors really brings the ‘Fancy Nancy’ characters to life on stage.

“This is a fun, high-spirited, entertaining, and engaging musical for all ages. We hope it’s a theatrical experience even our youngest audience members will remember for a lifetime.’’

“Fancy Nancy: The Musical’’ is directed by Schine, with choreography by Nicole Soriano and music direction by Chris Cho. The cast includes Dylan Kerr of Gloucester; Bryn Smith of Hamilton; Anabel Moda of Reading; Haven Pereira of Winthrop; and Teresa Gelsomini and Cam Perrin of Tyngsborough.

Tickets are $10 to $28. The theater is at 13 Wallis St. For a schedule of performances, call 617-424-6634, ext. 222, or visit bostonchildrenstheatre.org.

ART AMONG THE TREES For three weeks each fall, Maudslay State Park in Newburyport takes on a new look with the installation of site-specific sculptures throughout the landscape.

The 17th annual show, which runs through Oct. 1, features 34 sculptures by local artists representing a variety of contemporary approaches.

The show is open to all artists with a connection to the region and is organized by the artists themselves, who volunteer their time and materials. Many of the exhibitors have been part of the show for years and encourage and support each other, while also welcoming newcomers.

This year’s theme is “Blue.’’ Artistic mediums include marble, steel, paper, paint, books, foam, twigs, fabric, milled lumber, bowls, mallets, a hairbrush, sheet metal, plexiglass, nylon cord, Tyvek, beads, footballs, aluminum, bamboo, mirrors, gourds, stone, glass, PVC, Mylar, stones, and water.

A free catalog containing a map of the exhibit, photos, and statements and biographies of the artists is available at the beginning of the park’s main trail.

Maudslay State Park is at 74 Curzon Mill Road. Visit maudslayassociation.org.

CREATIVE COLLABORATION “States of Flow: Exploring the Nature of Creativity,’’ will be presented by the music and dance departments on Monday, Sept. 19.

The event includes a lecture and performance exploring how ideas from different disciplines are developed and connected.

Performers include music faculty Thomas Palance, trumpet; Tony Wolff, guitar; and David Andrew Moore, drums. They collaborate with dance faculty Meghan McLyman, Betsy Miller, and James Morrow.

“This is a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process, “said Palance, adding that he and McLyman “decided that a performance emerging out of our combined means of expression would be perfect.’’

The performance is at 7:30 p.m. at the college’s recital hall, 71 Loring Ave. It is free and open to the public. Visit salemstate.edu/arts.

ART FROM WITHIN “Portals and Passageways,’’ an exhibit of abstract expressionist paintings by Lisa Esposito, is at the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport through Oct. 9.

A former professor of philosophy who had a 25-year career in teaching and university administration, Esposito is a self-taught artist who began painting in 2005. Her gallery is based in Haverhill.

Esposito, who became the gallery director at the Firehouse after her exhibit was chosen, said her works are “meditative reflections on the self, solitude, and introspection . . . My paintings aim to jostle the viewer’s own consciousness and evoke emotive states.’’

A reception with the artist will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Firehouse in Market Square. Call 978-462-7336 or visit firehouse.org.

Wendy Killeen can be reached at wdkilleen@gmail.com