Yellow Door Theatre serves up a new Hansel & Gretel
Hansel and Gretel are getting a makeover from Niagara’s Yellow Door Theatre Project.
The company for Niagara’s young performers takes a swing at the classic fairy tale with an original musical Nov. 17 to 19 at the Firstontario Performing Arts Centre. Written by Lezlie Wade and Scott Christian, this new version will explore the friendship and resiliency of young people in the face of adversity.
Wade, no stranger to Niagara theatre, says there’s a reason fairy tales linger for centuries: “They teach children how to handle moral dilemmas by stressing not how to be good, but who they want to emulate,” she says. “There are villains. There are heroes. And there are opportunities for change.
“The critical message remains that perseverance will win out in the end.”
The story takes pace in a mythical place where witches need the youthful energy of children to stay young and beautiful. The show is suitable for ages six and up.
Cast member Emily Fulton was grabbed by the show’s new wrinkles.
“Scott and Lezlie wrote such an amazing musical for people of all ages,” she says. “Rehearsals are full of laughter because the characters Lezlie wrote are so funny. Scott wrote amazing music for this show and the tunes are really catchy.”
Yellow Door Theatre was formed six years ago by Andorlie Hillstrom, the founder of Regina’s Do It With Class Young People’s Theatre.
Tickets for “Hansel & Gretel” are $25 adult, $20 seniors/students, $15 children 12 and under and available at www.firstontariopac.ca