Caleb Wood as The Mad Hatter, Micah Simmons as Artie, and Chase Modrell as Merlin in rehearsal for Friday's production of Merlin Meets the Mad Hatter and the Three Little Pigs Go Surfing.
In this "fractured fairy tale dream play", the central character falls asleep and experiences a Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland type adventure, according to writer and director Mark Mannette.
"One reason this production was selected was because of the large number of speaking roles," Mannette said. "It also contains a variety of colorful and offbeat characters."
The central character is an 11-year-old boy, Artie, who is guided through his dream by Merlin and a jester named Flibbitygibbet. They encounter the Mad Hatter and his partner the March Hare at their hat shop, and also become involved in a plot devised by the Big Bad Wolf to get the three pigs out of the brick house and onto the city beach. Along the way, they encounter a variety of characters including Bo Peep, Jack and Jill, and a live chess game.
Vice Chairman Chris Wood of Encore! Theatre said the 48 children involved in the production worked "very hard" during the two week camp.
"The kids learned set design and costuming along with theatre and acting skills," Wood said. "We have seen a lot of theatrical growth in our campers since they began."
Wood invites the community to come enjoy Friday's production.
"The play is cleverly written and is a story that all ages will enjoy," Wood said. "We invite you to join us at 2 and at 7 p.m. Friday at the Morris Morgan Theatre on the St. Andrews campus."
The play was originally written by Mannette in 1995 and was produced at a summer camp that he directed in Maine. Mannette has directed over 40 productions with casts of all or mostly children, including 20 summer camp productions throughout the United States.
Open for children ages 7 through 17, the camp is held each summer at St. Andrews Presbyterian College.
Post a Comment
