MCT to take on fairytales; Reading event leads into upcoming ‘Story Stew’ performance
Published 11:27 am Monday, April 4, 2016
Matchbox Children’s Theatre player Peytyn Johnson reads “Cinderella” during Saturday Stories with Matchbox Children’s Theatre Saturday at the Austin Public Library as a way to promote the upcoming production of “Story Stew: A Fairytale Revue,” this coming weekend. — Photos by Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Matchbox Children’s Theatre is taking on fairytales this weekend with “Story Stew: A Fairy Tale Revue.”
The show will take place at 7 p.m. April 8 and at 2 p.m. on April 9 and 10 in the Historic Paramount Theatre, 125 Fourth Ave. NE.
About 35 cast members will perform “Story Stew,” a script about Old Mother Hubbard who had so many children she didn’t know what to do. The children just happen to be: Goldilocks, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, Jack and Jill, Miss Muffet, Mary with her Lamb, and a few more.
The plot thickens when everyone goes into the enchanted forest to find something to eat and a new place to live. There are plenty of twists and turns as they encounter the Three Bears, Big Bad Wolf, Puss in Boots and the Gingerbread Man, plus two witches to spice things up. Even more storybook characters appear in the woods.
11-month-old Clara Hamer, with her mom, Kelli Hamer, plays with a rattle and bells as dad Noah Hamer takes video Saturday at the Austin Public Library, part of a demonstration by the MacPhail Center for Music in conjunction with Matchbox.
“It is the funniest mashup of all the Grim fairytales,” co-director Jen Wiebrand said.
“Just lots of funny mishaps along the way, and in the end it all works out,” she added.
Wiebrand is co-directing the play with Jen Dreyer.
A cast of more than 35 people ages from 6 years old to adult will participate in “Story Stew.” Wiebrand said more parts were created to fit as many cast members as possible into the play, as about 45 tried out. She said this play has a good flow.
“This one is unique because it flows really nicely and every story just kind of fits into each other,” she said. “It’s just a really nice flow from story to story and they’re all kind of meshed in together.”
Wiebrand noted the actors, three adults and about 30 children, are excited for the upcoming show.
“Oh my gosh, they’re over the moon,” she said. “What a cool group of kids we got to work with.”
“They came in excited and prepared,” she added. “They learned their lines quicker than most adults do.”
Wiebrand hopes the audience walks away with a sense that family and friends can be there for each other and help through the tough times, laughing through it all.
The play, which is about one hour long, is directed by Jenny Dreyer and Jen Wiebrand.
Tickets are $5 for children ages 14 and younger and $8 for adults. Children age 2 and under are free. Advance tickets can be found online at www.austinareaarts.org or by visiting the ArtWorks Center at 300 N. Main St. Tickets will also be available at The Historic Paramount Theatre beginning one hour before show time Friday through Sunday. All seating is general admission. Family passes are available.
“This is fun for all ages,” Wiebrand said. “Our cast is age 6 to question mark, and it’s fun and fast-paced and a great time for everyone. There’s jokes for adults and there’s jokes for kids.”
For more, visit Matchbox Children’s Theatre’s Facebook page or call 507-437-9078. This MCT is supported through a grant from Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to an appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
