In a world of classes, deadlines and bills, the characters of an upcoming play at the Pullman Civic Theatre seek a break from adult responsibility.

Delia Ephron’s musical “How to Eat Like a Child: And Other Lessons in Not Being a Grown-up” will open July 11 for a two-weekend run.

“A line from a song in the show sums up the underlying theme of the show: ‘Even if you’ve grown up, lost your effervescence – doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. It just means you need lessons,’” director Dean Bourland said.

Bourland described the show as a series of skits and songs about children’s life experiences from children’s point of view. He said the musical tackles typical childhood dilemmas, such as how to behave in school, what food to eat and what to do when parents say ‘no.’

Though the theater regularly stages a full season of shows, this is its first musical performance in four years. Bourland said the theater typically gears its summer shows toward children both in the audience and the cast. “How to Eat Like a Child” will feature a cast that includes 14 kids and two young adults.

Thirteen-year-old choir singer Aly Coyle will play Cassie, a character with a rock ‘n’ roll personality who sings her own number. Coyle has been involved in several other shows at the theater, including its productions of “Little Women,” “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” and “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”

Coyle said she was happy that new aspiring actors auditioned for the play. She said it was nice “to have more kids interested in theater and have a way for them to get involved in community theater.”

Stage manager Janice Clark said she enjoyed organizing the show, handling props and assisting the actors with their lines. Clarke said some funny scenes to look forward to are “How to ride in a car” and “I don’t want to be sick.”

Tickets cost $12 and can be purchased from the Pullman Civic Theatre website.