Gadzooks! Cinderella!
(It Ain't Shakespeare)
December 4-5, 2015
Mercury Players Theater in cooperation with Stoughton Village Players
Show Description:
What do you get when you combine a well-known fairy tale, silly song parodies, a cow, slapstick comedy, corny jokes, a touch of magic, and two wicked stepsisters – who are played by men?
It’s a PANTO!
The British “panto” pre-dates Shakespeare, is performed more often than Shakespeare, and, quite frankly, is way funnier than Shakespeare! It employs a simple, recognizable plot to entertain the children, and other parts – topical political and local jokes, farce and even slapstick – to amuse the adults. Cross-dressing is essential, with the Prince being played by a woman, and the two wicked stepsisters played by men. But think Monty Python here, not La Cage aux Folles!
In Gadzooks! Cinderella! the “Royal Dairy Shakespeare Players” have to perform a panto in order to make money during the holidays. As they begrudgingly present the traditional fairy tale, they try to slip in some of the Bard’s most familiar lines and soliloquies – only to be reminded by the rest of the company: “This ain’t Shakespeare!”
Cheering for the heroes and booing for the baddies is strongly encouraged in this family-friendly theatrical treat, which Mercury Players Theatre offers as a charming alternative to traditional American holiday fare
What do you get when you combine a well-known fairy tale, silly song parodies, a cow, slapstick comedy, corny jokes, a touch of magic, and two wicked stepsisters – who are played by men?
It’s a PANTO!
The British “panto” pre-dates Shakespeare, is performed more often than Shakespeare, and, quite frankly, is way funnier than Shakespeare! It employs a simple, recognizable plot to entertain the children, and other parts – topical political and local jokes, farce and even slapstick – to amuse the adults. Cross-dressing is essential, with the Prince being played by a woman, and the two wicked stepsisters played by men. But think Monty Python here, not La Cage aux Folles!
In Gadzooks! Cinderella! the “Royal Dairy Shakespeare Players” have to perform a panto in order to make money during the holidays. As they begrudgingly present the traditional fairy tale, they try to slip in some of the Bard’s most familiar lines and soliloquies – only to be reminded by the rest of the company: “This ain’t Shakespeare!”
Cheering for the heroes and booing for the baddies is strongly encouraged in this family-friendly theatrical treat, which Mercury Players Theatre offers as a charming alternative to traditional American holiday fare
Cast:
Clarel Agere: Herald
Hillary Dadio-Perrone: Butcher/Rosencrantz
Max Ducey: Stepmother
Stephanie Frank: Cinderella
Donna Kapheim: Cobbler
Ren Kaspar: Carpenter
Warren Kmiec: King
Christopher Knight: Taylor
Jane Leahy: Announcer/Townsperson
Drew Lehman: Baker/Guildenstern
Alex Lindgren: Mayor
Kyra McFarland: Prince
Alec Moeser: Stepsister #2
Carly Roberts: 1/2 of Gertie/Townsperson
Caralynn Shields: Fairy Godmother
Alex Singer: Stepsister #1
Brent West: 1/2 of Gertie/Tree of Truth
Stephen F. Murray: Director
Alex Lindgren: Music Director
Ren Kaspar: Choreographer
Miranda Makepeace: Stage Manager
Brooke Hauser: Producer
Clarel Agere: Herald
Hillary Dadio-Perrone: Butcher/Rosencrantz
Max Ducey: Stepmother
Stephanie Frank: Cinderella
Donna Kapheim: Cobbler
Ren Kaspar: Carpenter
Warren Kmiec: King
Christopher Knight: Taylor
Jane Leahy: Announcer/Townsperson
Drew Lehman: Baker/Guildenstern
Alex Lindgren: Mayor
Kyra McFarland: Prince
Alec Moeser: Stepsister #2
Carly Roberts: 1/2 of Gertie/Townsperson
Caralynn Shields: Fairy Godmother
Alex Singer: Stepsister #1
Brent West: 1/2 of Gertie/Tree of Truth
Stephen F. Murray: Director
Alex Lindgren: Music Director
Ren Kaspar: Choreographer
Miranda Makepeace: Stage Manager
Brooke Hauser: Producer