Classic fairy tales with a twist grace dinner theater
Some truly twisted tales are being spun as Sing Hosanna! prepares for its winter dinner theater featuring “What Happened after Once Upon a Time” by Alex Alfieri.
The homemade lasagna and meatballs dinner and show will be presented at noon Jan. 19 at St. Peter's Parish Hall, 127 Franklin St.
This show utilizes two storytellers drafted to read some classic fairy tales which are not as expected.
One of the storytellers is played by Leah Harris of Muddy Creek Township. “I'm one of two story tellers that tries to retell fairy tales even though none of the character's personalities line up with the traditional roles everyone is used to,” Harris said, adding that she finds the role enjoyable.
“She's on stage interacting with the audience and other characters the whole time, and it's a fun and diverse role to play,” Harris added.
The other storyteller is portrayed by Anya Maschmeir of Forward Township.
“My role in the show is a determined substitute storyteller who, with the help of her fellow storyteller, tries to navigate the world of these fairy tales and all the challenges that come with meeting these classic characters who are not who we thought they were,” she explained.
Brothers Camden and Peyton Rockcastle of Butler Township each have roles in the twisted tales.
Camden plays two roles: the wolf in “The Three Little Pigs” and the king in “The Princess and the Pea.”
“The wolf is an English gentleman who wants to be a nominee for the Tony Award for acting. He overacts every single line and part that he is given,” Camden said.
“The king is an older man who cannot remember how his story goes and needs help recalling every part of it,” he said.
Brother Peyton plays a depressed pig, and Sleepy, one of the Seven Dwarfs.
“This is my first dinner theater performance,” said Peyton, who was delighted to land two parts as well.
Genevieve Archer of Penn Township was tapped to play the character of Cinderella, but she's not the traditional heroine.
“She has a problem with the cleanliness of nearly everything and has a general love for cleaning, unlike the original character who is forced to clean by her evil stepsisters,” Archer said.
“Many of the lines are comical and I am particularly excited for the laughs,” she added.
Stage performances are easier than the dinner shows, said Archer, who is forced out of her comfort zone.
“In a dinner theater, the audience is a lot closer and more involved in the show, where in a stage show you can forget the audience is there which is far less nervewracking than seeing the audience up close,” she said.
This dinner theater show also features performances by Jordan Davis, TommyLynn Kilian, Than Archer, Katie Ball, Alayna Bestwick, Kyleigh Spink, Isaac Hixon, Simon Archer, Olivia Slater, Miranda Vrabely, Emma MacDonald and Quintin Hixon.
The show is under the direction of Ralph Christy Jr.
WHO: Sing Hosanna!WHAT: “What Happened after Once Upon a Time”WHEN: Noon Jan. 19WHERE: St. Peter's Parish Hall, 127 Franklin St.TICKETS: $22 for adults and $7 for children age 10 and younger. Reservations are due by Jan. 16. Tickets are available from cast members or at May's Music ShoppeINFO: 724-287-8362
