Imagine Hansel & Gretel dealing with a clumsy fairy godmother named Streptococcus, bumbling crime investigators and characters who include Snow White, Brunhilda and the Wicked Witch.
Area residents will be able to audition this week to play these characters and others for Bradford Little Theatre’s comedy “The (Almost) Totally True Story of Hansel and Gretel.”
Auditions will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Togi’s Playhouse, 18 Welch Ave. in Bradford, said Kristin Asinger, director. Auditions will include readings from the script as well as movement exercises, so actors should dress comfortably. Those trying out should arrive early to fill out an audition form and a conflict calendar for the play which will be staged Jan. 25 to 29 at Togi’s Playhouse.
“It’s a one-act, and it’s only 60 minutes long with 25 characters so there‘s a lot of small and medium parts,” Asinger commented. “It’s perfect for people who don’t want a huge commitment, but want to do something fun.
“If there are some family members who want to do something together, it’s great for that, too,” she added. “I think we can put this together very easily in three-and-a-half weeks.”
The production is seeking several children, teens and adults for the performance.
Asinger noted that she found the unique version of the popular fairy tale online.
The traditional storyline depicts a poor brother and sister who are abandoned in the woods by their evil stepmother, wandered upon a house made of candy, were captured by a wicked witch and then escaped to live happily ever after. The comical version is led by the clumsy fairy godmother who stumbles and breaks her magic wand which causes everything to go wrong.
“I was looking for some different shows to do and I just came across it,” she remarked. “It sounded really cute, so I started reading into it more and thought this would be really perfect.”
The fast-paced comedy, written by Steph DeFerie with production rights through Samuel French, offers 25 “quirky and recognizable characters.” In addition to the aforementioned characters, other roles are for the Magic Mirror, Lilah, Wilhelm, Marta, Little Red Riding Hood, Big Bad Wolf, Flitsy, the Three Bears, Goldilocks, the Three Pigs, Jack, a cow, Prince Charming and Amanita.
Asinger expects the play will likely be well-received, given the theme and time of year for the performances.
“Winter shows are very popular, because people are looking for things to do,” she explained.
For more information on the production contact Asinger at 814-598-8127.
