A new spin on an old classic made for a delightful afternoon at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons last Saturday.
The Missoula's Children's Theatre production of Hansel and Gretel showcasing local talent from Roberts Creek Elementary School was funny, colourful and entertaining.
This yearly production from the Creek always features new twists on old story lines and a cast and crew trained in just one week.
The Missoula Children's Theatre is an organization that sends out tours of two adult actor/directors across the U.S., Canada, Europe, South America and the Pacific Rim. These teams of actor/directors visit more than 800 different communities each year and spend one week in each community auditioning local young talent and teaching them one of six different scripts that feature new twists on old fairy tales. They also offer acting workshops in the schools they visit.
The young actors chosen to star in the play then put their skills to the test on stage in their community. Locally, they have never disappointed!
This year's performance of Hansel and Gretel featured Tim Norman as Hank/ Hansel, Celine Moonen as Gretchen/Gretel and Emily Sherwood as the Wildwood Witch. The three main characters were joined by Missoula Children's Theatre actor Kimberly Schroeder who played Aunt Wally, Grandma and the Giant Wallybird. She was full of energy and helped to lead the littlest actors in their singing debut on stage.The story line featured Hank and Gretchen becoming immersed in the story line of Hansel and Gretel while passing out from hunger waiting for Auntie Wally to cook dinner. They oblige their storybook grandmother by going into the forest for a walk and soon stumble upon the Wildwood Witch's house made of candy.
But things aren't what they seem. It turns out the witch just wants children to come, eat candy and help her tend her garden of vegetables which are her favourite food. Sherwood made a wonderful Wildwood Witch, with her annoyed attitude and drama queen hair flips.
Norman never faltered on his lines and Moonen was very animated, a delight to watch on stage.
Other highlights of this funny musical were the adorable little wallybirds that spent time running two by two across the stage hooting, the growling Nasties (pets of the Wildwood Witch) and the dancing gingerbread men who also played the witch's cooks.
The costumes were bright and the music, played by accompanist Edith Troup, was lively and the tunes were catchy.
I still find myself humming the song titled Slow Cookin' from time to time. All the actors in this play worked very hard and did an excellent job. Sally Quinn, volunteer coordinator of this event for the past four years, has been instrumental in making the production such a success year after year. She announced at the show that she will step down from the position next year. She asked anyone interested in taking over the position to contact the Community School office at 604-885-3481.
Let's hope someone with as much enthusiasm as Quinn takes over the role and continues these yearly productions that give the youth a chance to learn from professionals and practice those skills on stage.
