Looking for a family outing that will be fun for your kids but won’t kill your interest? Laguna Playhouse’s production of Sleeping Beauty and her Winter Knight is the perfect solution!
This witty Pantomime written by Kris Lythgoe combines popular culture with a well known Grimm’s fairy tale to make a fun and unique musical theatre experience for the whole family.
Cast of SLEEPING BEAUTY AND HER WINTER KNIGHT at Pasadena Playhouse
PHOTO CREDIT: Lythgoe Family Panto
Don’t know what a Pantomime is ? It’s not a pallid mimic on a street corner, nor is it when your Props Master drops the ball. Originating in Great Britain in the 1700s, British Pantomime is a form of children’s theatre that mixes popular stories (ye olde tales) with pop culture and humor. Borrowing from commedia dell’arte, characters are humorously exaggerated and often performed by members of the opposite gender. Although aimed at children, Pantomime humor from time to time ‘ goes over the kids heads’ and caters to the adults in the audience. The audience is encouraged to play along, Laguna’s playbill invites the audience to “shout and participate”. This of course means booing and cheering and quips by a few inebriated audience members are always welcome!
So what does this mean for good ol’ Sleeping Beauty? The production I saw Saturday evening featured the story of sleeping beauty with a musical score of popular pop-songs from the last ten years, for example, All of Me – by John Legend as well as other timeless rock classics well known such as One Way or Another – by Blondie). This progressed the story and also gave the children in the audience something familiar to grab onto. Use of popular culture was also prevalent (no shortage of Wiping or Dabbing here). The story was also filled with endless wit and banter about things happening in the media and places close to home, such as The Prince of Irvine or a kind hello to a seemingly desolate Tustin.
Sleeping Beauty and her Winter Knight features a familiar cast of characters such as Aurora (Cozi Zuehlsdorff of Dolphin Tale Fame), The evil fairy Carabosse (Joely Fisher – Cabaret, Ellen, Desperate Housewives), The Good Fairy (Vonzell Solomon – American Idol) and the handsome Prince (Conor Guzman – NYC based actor/writer), as well as a cast a new characters fitting the Pantomime mold; Nanny Tickle (Jeff Sumner – Genie – Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular), The King of Irvine (Barry Pearl – Grease) and Silly Billy (Ben Schrader – The Book of Mormon). As well as an ensemble of adult and child actors and dancers.
Guest star Joely Fisher was maleficent (bum bum tss) as Carabosse, the evil fairy. Fisher carried multiple scenes and solos with grace and expertise as the story’s villain. She took centre stage and kept the audience at attention.
Cozi Zuehlsdorff was charming and impressive as Aurora, she skillfully portrayed the teen ready for adventure. She showed her vocal versatility in many musical numbers.
Conor Guzman shined as the self-centered, thick-headed Prince. Guzman showed excellent comedic ability, a wide vocal range, (not to mention dance ability) and had a perfect understanding of his roll. It was a joy to watch him in scenes when he was not the centre of attention because he was never “off” character wise.
Barry Pearl put his 55-plus theatre experience to good use as Sleeping Beauty’s loving and caring father and King of the kingdom of Laguna although having some ulterior motives.
Benjamin Schrader stole the stage as “Silly Billy”. Schrader’s impeccable comedic timing and acting kept the audience laughing and at the edge of their seats. Schrader interacted directly with the audience with quick witted banter and quips about anything from fellow cast members outfits and crying child participants. Interacting with children takes a level of improvisation that others members of the cast and especially Schrader showed. He was definitely one of my favorites from the show.
Vonzell Solomon showed incredible vocal ability as The Good Fairy in numbers such as “Hero” and “O Holy Night”. Everytime Solomon sang there was an audible gasp of amazement from the audience.
Jeff Sumner is “back in heels” as Nanny Tickle, one half of the main comedic duo alongside Benjamin Schrader. Sumner portrayed femininity and poise like no women could. Sumner kept the audience in stitches with his outstanding comedic timing.
Make sure to make time in your holiday schedule to see this stellar show.
Brigitte Rose
Aliso Laguna News/Green Local News
Entertainment Editor
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About Sleeping Beauty And Her Winter Knight
Book by Kris Lythgoe
Choreography by Spencer Liff
Musical Supervisor Michael Orland
Musical Direction by Michael Sobie
Directed by Linda Goodrich
Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham and Lythgoe Family Panto are thrilled to announce a very special holiday event, Cozi Zuehlsdorff (“Dolphin Tale” Films), Joely Fisher (Broadway: Cabaret, “Desperate Housewives”), Barry Pearl (“Grease”), The Book of Mormon’s Benjamin Schrader, Jeff Sumner (Genie in Disney’s Aladdin-A Musical Spectacular), “American Idol” finalist Vonzell Solomon and Conor Guzman (Pasadena Playhouse; The Fantasticks) starring in SLEEPING BEAUTY AND HER WINTER KNIGHT, book by Kris Lythgoe, choreography by Spencer Liff, musical supervisor Michael Orland, musical direction by Michael Sobie and directed by Linda Goodrich.
“Last year’s holiday confection returns with an all-new Lythgoe Family Panto event on our stage!” comments Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham. Remarks Becky Lythgoe, “We are delighted to be back at the Laguna Playhouse with our second show and with this extraordinary cast for a truly magical holiday show!”
SLEEPING BEAUTY AND HER WINTER KNIGHT will run through Friday, December 30, 2016 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.
Broadway and TV stars perform in this interactive musical fairy tale with comedy, magic and pop music sure to delight children of all ages! SLEEPING BEAUTY AND HER WINTER KNIGHT is based on the European fairytale where a Princess called Aurora has a curse put on her by an evil fairy Carabosse. By her 18th birthday, Aurora will prick her finger on a spindle and fall asleep for 100 years. The Royal family live under the protection from Silly Billy and Nanny Tickle but Aurora does prick her finger and falls asleep for 100 years. A handsome Prince saves the day by defeating the wicked fairy and giving Aurora a true love kiss.
Lythgoe Family Panto produces fun, musical theatre the whole family can enjoy. Known for their creativity and involvement in television hits “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” the Lythgoes are dedicated to bringing affordable theatre to families across America. Based on the Grimm fairytales and others, each story has been modernized with topical scripts for parents and well known pop songs for kids. The Lythgoes pride themselves on creating a memorable experience a family can share together. Past Panto at Laguna Playhouse productions include A Snow White Christmas starring Marina Sirtis and Lindsay Pearce.
ABOUT THE SCHEDULE AND PRICING
Performances will be Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays at 7:30pm; Saturdays at 11:30am; 3:30pm & 7:30pm; Sundays at 11:30am & 3:30pm. There will be additional performances on Tuesday, December 20 at 7:30; Friday, December 23 at 3:30pm & Thursday, December 27 at 11:30am; 3:30pm & 7:30pm. There will be no performance on Saturday, December 24 at 7:30pm or Sunday, December 25.
Ticket prices range from $30 – $70 and can be purchased online at www.lagunaplayhouse.com or by calling (949) 497-ARTS (2787). Ticket prices are subject to change. Group discounts are available by calling 949-497-2787 ext. 229.
The box office is open Mondays – Saturdays: 12p.m. to 5 p.m. (open until showtime on performance days); Sundays: 11a.m. – 4p.m. For more information on all shows and programming visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com. For more information on all shows and programming visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com. LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE is located at 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.
About Laguna Playhouse
Founded in 1920, the historic Laguna Playhouse is one of the oldest continuously-operating not-for-profit theatres on the West Coast and is proud to be an active participant in the celebrated Laguna Beach arts community. From classic plays and musical comedies to the current off-Broadway smash, cutting edge and traditional music exhibitions, dance festivals and stand-up comedy performances, Laguna Playhouse brings the magical experience of the performing arts direct to over 80,000 patrons each season. A member of the League of Resident Theatres, Laguna Playhouse is also home to the annual Laguna Dance Festival, Laguna Beach Music Festival and Laguna Beach Concert Band.
David Elzer
DEMAND PR
