The Panto Project
NEW CHILDREN’S PLAYS TO PREMIERE IN EASTERN INDIANA
Julie
Lyn Barber, a playwright living in Parker City, Indiana has been awarded and
Individual Artist Project grant by the Indiana Arts Commission for “The Panto Project.” In fulfillment of this project, she will write
and produce two new adaptations
of classic children's stories to four intimate venues in Eastern Indiana. These
performances will breathe new life into tried and true tales by presenting them
in an enduringly popular, traditional British comedic style known as “panto.”
The British panto style incorporates broad comedy, audience interaction and
familiar characters to engage audiences of all ages.
For
information call 765-212-9198 or e-mail JulieLynBarber@aol.com
The Elves and the Shoemaker
Sure to get you in the Christmas mood, this 30 minute children’s play is based on
the fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm.
Professional actors team up with shadow puppets to tell the story of the
kind Shoemaker and his Wife whose difficult life is made easier by some
mysterious helpers who make shoes in the night.
True to the panto style, there is a Good Fairy who keeps the audience
informed and involved, a bad guy who is trying to interfere with the hero’s
happiness, and a comedy duo who keep everyone’s spirits light. Of course, by Christmas Day, good triumphs
over evil (with help from the audience and a little magic) and everyone learns
a lesson in charity.
The
show is directed by Julie Lyn Barber, who also plays the role of the “Good
Fairy.” Other cast members include Ben
Asaykwee as the Shoemaker, Jennifer Simms as his Wife, Stevie Ray Hahn as the
evil Landlord, and comedy duo Tom Cherry and Joe Skeen as various characters.
Performances 1:00pm on Saturdays
- Nov 26 at the First Presbyterian Church of Winchester, 201 E. Franklin St., Winchester, IN
- Dec 3
in room 101 in the Rupp Communications Center at Taylor University in Upland, IN
Performances 3:00 on Saturdays
- Dec10 at the Historic Farmland
Center, 100 N. Main St., Farmland, IN
- Dec 17 at the Historic Irvington Lodge,
5515 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN.
Tickets are available at the door $5 for adults, $3 for children, cash
or checks only (no credit cards.) Return
visitors may bring their ticket stub from a previous performance for a $2 per
ticket discount.
More Details about the Performance Venues:
Saturday Nov. 26
Thanksgiving weekend, the
traditional kickoff to the Christmas season, at the beautiful, historic First
Presbyterian Church, located at 201 East Franklin St. in
Winchester, IN. Be sure to look up when
you arrive to see the newly constructed steeple and bell tower that now sits
atop this 1904 building, restoring its original design, with a few new touches;
notably, the stained glass windows by local artist, Margaret Cantrel.
Saturday, Dec. 3
See the new theatre space in
the Rupp Communications Building at Taylor University, Upland IN. Formerly a classroom, Rupp 101 has been
renovated to accommodate intimate theatrical productions. It enjoyed its debut this year with sellout
performances of THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: ABRIDGED. You also won’t want to miss the Taylor
Theatre’s musical production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL which runs from November
11-December 4. More information at www.taylor.edu.
Saturday, Dec. 10
Get the first look at the new Historic Farmland
Centre. THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER will
be the first theatrical event to be produced in the newly acquired building
across the street from the former Farmland Cultural Centre at 100 N. Main St.
Saturday, Dec.17
At the Historic Irvington
Lodge in the Irvington neighborhood of Indianapolis, 5515 E. Washington
St. The building is a former Masonic
Lodge that is now housing Q Artistry, a theatre company dedicated to the
production of new works. www.qartistry.org.
This Grimm Fairy Tale takes on a few new twists as we follow the plights of a newly transformed frog and a lonely princess. Watch out for the Goblin who lurks in the haunted wood and help the Good Fairy keep everyone safe until everyone arrives at their own "happily ever after" Well, almost everyone...