By Scott D. Johnston
For Grays Harbor News Group
The 10th season of Stage West Community Theatre opens this weekend with “A Grimm Night for Hans Christian Andersen,” a fast-paced comedy that has nine young actors playing a total of 39 characters.
A scheduling conflict has moved the show out of its usual home and into the North Beach Senior Center, at 885 Ocean Shores Blvd. NW. Performances are at 7 p.m. the next two Fridays and Saturdays: Sept. 27-28 and Oct. 4-5. Matinees are at 2 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 29 and Oct. 6. Doors open 30 minutes prior.
Director Lori Hardin summarized the play by Sue Gordon as imagining the Brothers Grimm confronting Andersen over his alleged “retelling” of their many fairy tales, and visiting him to convince him to stop stealing their work. Hans worries, until he comes up with a plan: They must rely on their audience to decide who tells the stories best! All is well, until the characters from those stories decide they have had enough of it all.
While the show is based on familiar fairy tales, Hardin said the humor is often grown up enough that it makes a fun show for all ages. She noted that “the show honors Stage West’s commitment to introduce live theater to young actors,” adding that this is the first all-junior cast she has directed and it has been a fun learning experience.
“Kids learn so much differently than adults do, they don’t have the life experience that lends itself to understanding the humor and nuance of the script, so we have all learned together!”
Some of the actors will be familiar to audiences, having been last seen in “Alice in Wonderland” last spring. In addition, Stage West welcomes three new faces to this production: Michelle Arape, Jacob Francis and Chloe Patton.
Directed by Hardin — with assistant director Erin Lee, stage manager Joseph Duncan, and technical directors Ron Cooper and Eric Bjella — the production raises the curtain on the 10th anniversary season of the local nonprofit theater group.
Parking will be available in the back lot, the side lot and the street at the Senior Center.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and are available at Mocha Madness, the Dusty Trunk and at www.stagewestcommunitytheatre.org.
Scott D. Johnston | For Grays Harbor News Group The cast of “A Grimm Night for Hans Christian Andersen,” from left: Keira Gibson, Chloe Patton, Addi Baggaley, Jacob Francis, Taitlynn Baggaley, Samara Gibson, Makayla Upshaw, Michelle Arape and Megan Christensen.
