By Chuck Graham, TucsonStage.com
photo by The Gawnes
Cinderella (Janee Page) shows her tough side to inseparable buddies Jack the donkey (Jake Chapman) and Shriek (David Fanning) at the Gaslight Theatre.
The spirit of “Shriek!,” subtitled “A Parody of True Love & Ogre Acting,” takes us to the story behind the story of Cinderella, Snow White, Prince Charming and other notables from the fairy tale lore of children, now onstage at the Gaslight Theatre.
For those keeping tabs at home, this is an entirely new Gaslight production written and directed by Katherine Byrnes and Mike Yarema. Expanding the Gaslight's usual format, Byrnes and Yarema are including newer songs and expanding the Gaslight's performance spaces to include wider stage wings and an upstairs corner of the balcony.
Cast in the titular role of swamp-loving Shriek, the green-hued ogre with a lonesome heart, is the Gaslight's favorite out-of-town actor, David Fanning.
Jake Chapman sidles up to the action as Jack the nimble-witted donkey who is Shriek's loyal companion. Together they are determined to keep the ogre's swamp free of any civilization, particularly the sort those greedy land developers bring.
To get this fanciful ball rolling, we learn the unscrupulously sinister Lord Kumquat (Jacob Brown) has captured Princess Sharona (Heather Stricker), keeping her his prisoner in a tall tower.
Assisting the evil Lord K is the reflectively shimmering Magic Mirror (Erin Thompson). Adding their own complications are the conniving Draven (Chris Colombo) and the ever-scheming Prince Charming (Todd Thompson), a romantic fellow always on the lookout for any lovely princess caught in the sticky web of a magic spell that can only be broken by a royal kiss.
Fans of the Hollywood movie series will also spot references to Robin Hood, the Gingerbread Man, Puss N Boots, and Grumpy of the Seven Dwarfs.
A grownup's style of fantasy also provides the setting for this show's olio scheme, “Viva Las Vegas!” Imagine rows of guys in crisp tuxedos and nappy bow ties, along with big hair styles for the women and corny jokes all around.
Will we see Elvis? Does Santa come down the chimney?
“Shriek!” runs through Nov. 3, with performances at various times Tuesdays through Sundays in the Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadway. Tickets are $27 plus tax, with several discounts available.
Check at the box office, phone 520-886-9428, or go online at www.thegaslighttheatre.com
No comments:
Post a Comment