ARLINGTON — In this theater production, the audience is a member of the cast.
The play opens as a family of traveling entertainers arrive in town and decide to perform “Hansel and Gretel.” The family troupe then becomes the play’s cast and their audience becomes, well, the imaginative and participatory audience of “Hansel and Gretel.”
Arlington’s new nonprofit community theater group, the Blue Stilly Players, offers this version of the old tale at 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the Terrace Park amphitheater, 809 E. Fifth St.
Written by Moses Goldberg, costumed by Rita Newberry and directed by Susan Weingarten of Arlington, “Hansel and Gretel” is an hour-long production for children and their families.
The community theater group’s debut performances are sponsored by the city of Arlington. Admission is free, but donations to the Arlington Food Bank are encouraged.
The Blue Stilly Players group has been working together for nearly a year to offer “high-quality theater for all to enjoy,” said Bridget Clawson, the organization’s president and founder. “Our partnership with the city of Arlington has been a perfect match. I think all will be enchanted by our production.”
The cast of this production includes MacKenzie Mott as the witch, Matt Glazener as Hansel, Hailey Thomas as Gretel and Alexa Sorino as the children’s father Bulbov.
Having an audience as part of the cast is fun, said Sorino, an actor and Occidental College student. “It’s playful, organic and flexible.”
The cast’s energy and comedic physicality have attracted curious onlookers and passers-by who have witnessed rehearsals, Clawson said. “It’s really quite captivating, with real sword fights and delightful sets, props and costumes.”
The final dress rehearsal is open to the public as well, at 6 p.m. Friday at Terrace Park.
In addition, the Blue Stilly Players has run a drama camp this month for a dozen children ages 9 to 12. Their performance of Aesop’s Fables is set for 1 p.m. Sept. 1 in Legion Park as part of the Arlington Farmers Market.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.
Learn more
More information about the Blue Stilly Players is at bluestillyplayers.com.
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