BY DARRELL HALEN 

When Lorraine Moore, dressed as Pocahontas, finished singing along to the song “Colors of the Wind,” the audience watching her cheered and applauded loudly. Lorraine smiled and bowed.

Her performance was part of “A Disney Afternoon,” when nearly 50 performers donned colorful costumes and sang uplifting songs. Against the backdrop image of a castle on a hill, they appeared as some of Disney’s most beloved characters, including the Seven Dwarves, Pinocchio and Winnie the Pooh.

The evening show, held Friday, April 25, in Salem High School’s Seifert Auditorium, was presented by Play Among the Stars, a theater group that gives developmentally disabled people the opportunity to broaden their dance and music abilities and develop other skills.

“It’s awesome to see them up on stage,” said Carol O’Donnell of North Andover, Mass., who attended the show with her daughter. “They love it. They’re stars. I’ve just been amazed watching them.”

The two-act show featured 29 performances, including music from the movies “The Lion King” and “Beauty and the Beast,” and uplifting songs such as “Zip-A-Dee-Do-Dah” and “Let’s Go Fly a Kite.”

Throughout the show, proud friends and family members smiled and took photos. They cheered when Bethany Zinka, playing the role of Cinderella, appeared in a glittery blue gown. They clapped along as one of the performers sang “A Spoonful of Sugar.” And they waved small flags to the song “It’s a Small World.”

One of the performers, Donna Buck, was presented the Shining Star Award in recognition of her determination, courage, personal growth and love for others. Last year’s recipient, Ryan Gallagher, kicked off the show by singing “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Former Salem resident Sara Brown founded the theater group with Charlene Westerdale, and the first show was performed in 1999. The group, which serves about 18 communities in Southern New Hampshire and the Merrimack Valley, presents two shows annually.

Brown’s inspiration is her son, Jason, 34, who is mentally retarded and has cerebral palsy. He loves to sing and dance, and be with his friends.

“I couldn’t think of a better way to keep them all together,” said Brown, the group’s president, who commutes from her Scarborough, Maine, home to help other volunteers to get the shows ready.

Performing in front of an audience boosts the self-confidence of its participants, and gives them the sense of being involved in the community, she said.

“The nice thing is, they can be anything they want to be,” Brown said.

Brown has other hopes for the group. She would like to build a fitness center in Salem where members can socialize and learn about personal health and hygiene. The center would also provide space to store costumes and hold rehearsals.